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clean waterconnections
PUBLISHED BY THE CITY OF EUGENE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
SPRING 2024
Also In This Issue: Floodplain Risk...................2 Storm Drain Grant...............3 Street Sweepers Q&A.........3 Water Quality......................4 Erosion Prevention..............6 Ice Storm Response...........7 Parking Lot Upgrade...........7 Lily’s Pad.............................8
DOES YOUR LAWN NEED A BOOST AFTER THE ICE STORM? Freezing, thawing, insects, diseases… various things can cause damage to our lawns, often leaving them with bald patches. Beyond the aesthetic aspect, dead patches of grass can bring you many problems during the summer, including an invasion of weeds. If your lawn can use a little CPR to get it back to a healthy state, here are some tips on how to proceed:
1. Raking First, give the lawn a good raking to remove dead grass and debris left over from the winter. This will break up any matted areas and improve airflow on the surface of the blades. It’s also a good time to use an upright weed tool, or Hori Hori knife to quickly pop out weeds that are germinating.
2. Give your grass a little breathing room
ECRWSS
Permit No. 360
Eugene, OR
US Postage Paid
3. Topdressing
Public Works Stormwater Management Program 99 West 10th Avenue, Suite 370 Eugene, OR 97401 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
CITY OF EUGENE
Prsrt Std
Aerating your yard will also help it recover after an unusual winter season, like this year, when temperatures fluctuate and the ground freezes and thaws multiple times. This will give the turf more space to flourish and prevent the grass from getting overly compacted during the spring and summer. An aerator tool bores small, shallow holes into the ground. The purpose is to break up compacted soil, provide adequate space for grass to grow, and allow the roots exposure to fresh air and nutrients more efficiently. Topdressing consists of adding a thin layer of good quality potting soil on top of the bald patches. Generally, about one centimeter of soil is enough. Depending on your soil type, you can use compost, garden soil or peat moss. continued on pg. 6 “Lawn Boost”
STORMWATER CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM The Stormwater Capital Improvement Program is funded by stormwater user fees and system development charges. A six-year CIP is developed every two years and results in a list of projects managed by staff in Public Works Engineering. Staff compile the CIP using input and requests from a variety of sources, including adopted plans, policy documents, neighborhood and advisory groups, and boards and commissions. The following projects are scheduled for construction in 2024: • The Eighth Avenue Streetscape Project (pictured right)involves constructing new stormwater planters to clean runoff from city streets. continued on pg. 5 “Stormwater”
DID YOU KNOW? Combination products such as weed and feed that include fertilizer and weed killers can be harmful to humans and pets. It’s best to avoid these types of products, use a slow-release fertilizer, and separately spotspray weeds if needed.