Recently, I spoke with a landowner who wanted to do some dirt work on property fronting the river. This work would be done with a bulldozer. I asked if any precautions would be taken to prevent dirt from falling into the river. The answer was, “Why would I?”
Dirt becomes a pollutant when it is dumped into the river by out actions. Even when it is washed into the river in runoff associated with rain, it is a pollutant. It sounds really odd when you think about it. Sometimes when you go down to the river, you can even see dirt in the river and it likely has been in the river for awhile. So how can dirt, be a pollutant in the river?
The Clean Water Act (CWA) was intended to keep our nation’s water supplies clean and protected from pollution, so it defines many different substances, chemicals, and acts that can pollute water. But along with actual things that could be harmful to the environment, the CWA defines dirt as a “pollutant.”
Dirt from farmers’ fields is likely to have fertilizer or pesticides in it. Dirt from ranchers’ fields may have ecoli in it from cattle manure. Dirt that is washed into rivers and creeks from roads, will carry bits of tar, rubber and oil into the water. Dirt + water= mud or slurry or silt that can clog the river. Dirt has naturally occurring bacteria, pathogens, and parasites but we really may not want these in the river. When you see a river with trees and grass in the middle of the river, it is likely from dirt that has been washed downstream or dumped in the river. We need good dirt but too much of a good thing is not so good.
Dirt that washes into the river can cause
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- Siltation of creeks and reservoirs.
- Reduced fish and wildlife habitat.
- Increased growth of aquatic weeds.
- Algal blooms and fish kills.
- Reduced recreational opportunities because of bacterial contamination and increased turbidity.
- Contamination of food and water sources.
We want to make sure our water stays clean so before you fire up the bulldozer to move dirt on a river or creek bank, be sure to check with LCRA to determine if a permit will be required. Small projects requiring the movement of less than 500 cubic yards may be authorized without a permit by submitting a Notification of No Permit Required form and an erosion/sediment control plan. One simple plan to protect the river may simply require the erection of a barrier to prevent loose dirt from falling into the river. If you are planning any type of roadway or creek crossing, contact LCRA at 512-578-2324, just to be sure.
Let’s take good care of our river.