SLA Water Quality Committee Partners with Community Stakeholders to Plant the Third Riparian Buffer in Watershed

By Kelly Paganelli, SLA Water Quality Co-Chairperson

The Silver Lake Association's Water Quality Committee has partnered with landowners, government entities, and environmental experts to make inroads on projects that will stem the influx of nutrients and sediment into the lake at critical tributaries.

On October 11th, over twenty volunteers and municipal workers gathered at the Silver Lake State Park to plant 225 shrubs and perennials along a tributary that flows into the lake. The site, identified by Wyoming Soil & Water as a potential problematic run-off location, was planted with native plantings suggested by a professional arborist.

It is hoped that these plantings will form a critical riparian buffer, reducing water pollution by intercepting surface runoff and filtering sediment. According to research, riparian vegetation can remove up to 90% of unused nitrogen from croplands. In addition, riparian buffers can provide some flood protection, slow water velocities, protect against erosion, and strengthen and stabilize stream banks. An increase in native habitats is an additional bonus. This is the third project undertaken as a result of landowners, SLA Water Quality volunteers, and Wyoming County Soil & Water joining forces to get work done to decrease the flow of sediment into the lake.

An ongoing partnership with Perry Central High School will allow for further study of this project. Working with teacher Todd Shuskey and his students, the Water Quality Committee hopes to grow our base of knowledge while at the same time encouraging further stewardship in our community for the Lake we all enjoy.

These efforts are made possible because of the support of the SLA members, Silver Lake Golf Tournament proceeds. Wyoming County Soil & Water, landowners, and numerous volunteers who allow us to partially fund these endeavors.

The Water Quality Committee continues to reach out to our elected leaders (local, state, and national) to discuss funding mechanisms for large projects. Wyoming County Soil and Water on watershed projects that stem the influx of sediment and nutrients into the Lake, and business leaders and property owners to garner their support for these.

Courtesy of the Silver Lake Association Winter Newsletter 2020