Shoreline Stewards: Molly & Ed Shill
Join us on the East Side of Canandaigua Lake as we explore a lake-friendly property. From eco-conscious landscaping to innovative stormwater management, discover how sustainable shoreline development can help support biodiversity and clean water.
There are many things that people living on and off of the lake can do to create more lake-friendly properties. But what is lake-friendly anyway?
Lake Friendly Living is a program designed to help educate residents and businesses about best practices for lawn care, landscaping, building practices, and waste removal. A great place to begin learning about Lake Friendly Living is by reading our Lake Friendly Living Guide. This will help you start your journey to consider the lake daily.
Rain gardens are a landscape design feature that can help keep Canandaigua Lake clean, especially during heavy rainfall.
Here are just a few benefits of rain gardens:
- Natural Filtration: Rain gardens act as natural filters, capturing and absorbing stormwater runoff before it enters the lake.
- Reduce Erosion: By slowing down the flow of water, rain gardens help prevent soil erosion, which can carry pollutants into the lake.
- Nutrient Removal: Plants in rain gardens uptake nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, which are common pollutants in stormwater runoff, thereby reducing their impact on lake water quality.
- Promote Infiltration: Rain gardens allow stormwater to infiltrate into the soil, replenishing groundwater supplies and reducing the volume of runoff reaching the lake.
- Habitat Creation: Rain gardens provide habitat for various wildlife, including birds, butterflies, and beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity and ecological resilience along the lake’s shoreline.
We recommend reaching out to a professional landscape architect, such as Gabrielle Fladd, who can guide you through the process of calculating your runoff and drainage needs.
Have questions or want to learn more? Give us a call and we can try to help get you connected with the right people to help you with your Lake Friendly Living designs!