Water Education

With more than 1,400 lakes and countless tributary streams and rivers that flow throughout Oakland County, the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's (WRC) Environmental Team is committed to sharing resources and providing education to waterfront property owners and others on how to protect water quality at their own back door and beyond.

Discover practical ways to protect our waterways in Waterfront Wisdom: Healthy Habits for Clean Water, a booklet that highlights seven simple habits for keeping our water clean and healthy.

Minimize Water Runoff

The interface between land and water (known as the riparian zone) serves a multitude of essential functions such as:

Maintaining stream flows
Cycling nutrients
Filtering chemicals and other pollutants from runoff
Trapping and redistributing sediments
Absorbing and detaining floodwaters
Maintaining fish and wildlife habitats, and
Supporting the food chain for a wide range of organisms

Given that the number one source of water pollution today comes from stormwater runoff that enters our lakes and streams without prior treatment, waterfront property owners have a special responsibility to protect our water resources. They are at the frontline of preventing pollution from property directly adjacent to our waterways. Although all human activities in a watershed can affect the water quality of our lakes and streams, activities adjacent to riparian zones are most critical.

With the help of a federal grant through the Rouge River Wet Weather Demonstration Project, the WRC Environmental Team produced a series of informational booklets and pamphlets for waterfront property owners. They outline a variety of actions to protect water quality and wildlife, as well as property values and the quality of life enjoyed by the residents of Oakland County.

They can be viewed below or contact us if you would like a hard copy of any of these materials. By following Healthy Habits for Clean Water, you will learn how to minimize stormwater runoff from your property. You'll also learn how to minimize pollutants from leaving your property and entering the water.

Washtenaw County WRC Rain Garden Resources
Online Master Rain Gardener Course
Planning, Planting and Maintaining Residential Rain Gardens (SOCWA, 2024)
Rain Gardens for the Rouge River (SOCWA, 2024)
Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners (Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, 2006)
Rain Gardens -- A How-to Manual for Homeowners (University of Wisconsin-Extension, 2003)
Schematic of Root Systems of Native Plants

Catching the Rain -- A Great Lakes Resource Guide for Natural Stormwater Management (American Rivers, 2004)

Low Impact Development (Green Infrastructure) Resources

SEMCOG has a wonderful Website with a clearinghouse of information on the topic of Low Impact Development.

Low Impact Development Manual for Michigan

Landscaping for Water Quality (Center for Environmental Study, 2004)
Native Plant Root Schematic

Michigan Native Plant Species Resources

Wild Ones: Native Plants, Natural Landscapes
Blue Thumb -- Planting for Clean Water: Rain Gardens, Native Gardens and Shoreline Stabilization resources

Use these resources learn more about rain barrels:

Healthy Lawns and Gardens

MSU-Extension Soil Testing Information
MSU-Extension Turfgrass Science website has hundreds of tips, fact sheets and downloads on pests, weeds and turf care for a great looking lawn that will also help protect water quality.
Southeastern Oakland County Resource Recovery Authority (SOCRRA)
Comprehensive information on lawn and garden care to protect water quality and wildlife habitat
Earth-Friendly Fertilizer products - recommended by the Healthy Lawns and Gardens Technical Advisory Committee
List of Endorsed Lawn Care Companies - offers a Healthy Lawn Care Program for Watershed Protection
Benefits of Compost
Compost Fact Sheet
Compost Pricing

Oakland County Plant and Pest Hotline and Diagnostic Center: 248-858-0902
National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) for consumer questions about pesticide impacts: 1-800-858-7378
Integrated Pest Management for Nuisance Exotics in Michigan Inland Lakes
Non-toxic Alternatives to Pesticide Management

Naturalized Shorelines & Streambank Buffers

Michigan native plants can often be purchased locally during specially held native plant sale events through local watershed councils, land conservancies, conservation districts and farmer's markets. There are also many options to purchase online from reputable native plant producers.

Native Plant Nursery List - Where to Buy Natives Locally (Source: Wild Ones - North Oakland Chapter)

Restoring the Shore on Michigan Inland Lakes - This is a demonstration project on the shores of Gull Lake in Kalamazoo County, MI. This website also contains a number of additional useful web resource links.
Shoreland Management Resources - This is a website developed by the University of Minnesota Extension.
Michigan Inland Lakes Partnership - This is a collaborative effort of agencies and organizations interested in stewardship of Michigan's inland lakes

Restore Your Shore - A powerful tool for shoreland owners and professionals to use in implementing shoreland restoration and protection projects.
Shoreline Alterations: Natural Buffers and Lakescaping (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
Protecting Michigan's Vanishing Native Lakeshore (MSU-Extension)