Rainy Day Survey
You can identify runoff-problem areas on your property by conducting a Rainy Day Survey.
Simply observe your land during a heavy rainstorm and note the problem areas. Watching where the water flows during a storm can help you identify sources of runoff, erosion, and sediment that may ultimately reach Stockbridge Bowl.
Conduct a Rainy Day Survey
Create a simple map of your property, showing:
Your house and other buildings
Driveways, patios, walkways, and other impervious surfaces that may generate runoff
Existing trees, shrubs, lawn, and other vegetation
Bare or exposed soil
Sloped areas
The shoreline, streams, drainage channels, or wetlands on or near your property
Then, during a heavy rainstorm, walk your property and observe where the water goes.
Look for and mark areas where:
Water flows across your property
Runoff travels down driveways, paths, or other hard surfaces
Water from roofs and downspouts collects or causes erosion
Soil or mulch is being washed away
Small channels or gullies are forming
Runoff flows directly toward the lake, a stream, or a drainage channel
Vegetated areas are successfully slowing or absorbing runoff
These observations can help you determine where changes to your landscaping may have the greatest benefit.
Why It Matters
Runoff can carry soil, sediment, nutrients, and other materials from your property into Stockbridge Bowl. Identifying problem areas is the first step toward slowing runoff, reducing erosion, and allowing more water to soak naturally into the ground.
