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What Can I Do?

Residential Areas

Here are several simple things urban landowners in the Lake Thunderbird watershed can do to improve the health of local streams and of Lake Thunderbird:

  1. Implement conservation practices that keep as much rainwater on your property as possible such as rain barrels, rain gardens, pervious pavements and pollinator strips.

  2. Increase the cutting height on your lawn mower. Taller grass means longer roots and more water being soaked into the ground. Taller grass also helps control many weeds for free. Consider adding clovers, ryegrass, or fescue for a green cool-season lawn.

  3. Reduce or eliminate the use of lawn chemicals in your yard. If you think you need to fertilize your yard, submit a soil test to your local County Extension office first so you know exactly what needs to be added and how much. Consider using less herbicides. Enjoy the diverse plant community! More information on soil testing can be found here.

  4. Properly dispose of chemicals such as used motor oil, household cleaners and paint. Do not pour anything down storm drains. Water from storm drains enters the nearest creek without treatment.

  5. Keep your automobiles and other motorized equipment in good working order so they do not leak oil or other fluids. If you change your oil at home, consider collecting it to take to your local automotive parts store such as Wal-Mart, O’Reilly’s or Auto Zone.

  6. Pick up your pet waste and dispose of it in the trash can or compost it separately from household waste.

 
 
Pictured: Rain Garden

Pictured: Rain Garden

 
 
 
agricultural-best-practices.jpg
 

Agricultural Areas

Here are several things agricultural producers in the Lake Thunderbird watershed can do to improve the health of local streams and Lake Thunderbird:

 If you raise livestock:

  1. Develop a rotation grazing plan for pasture and rangeland to properly graze and ensure the soil is protected by a healthy covering of vegetation year-round.

  2. Develop a manure management plan for areas where animals congregate.

  3. Install riparian fencing and alternative water sources to keep livestock out of streams.

If you raise crops:

  1. Where applicable, transition to reduced-tillage or no-till cropping methods.

  2. Use cover crops during fallow periods.

  3. Focus on improving soil health rather than external inputs such as synthetic fertilizers and herbicides.

  4. Leave pollinator strips around the perimeter of cropped fields or add pollinator plants to crops as companion plantings for multiple benefits.

The Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Oklahoma or Cleveland County Conservation District can provide information and assistance about each of these conservation practices, and many more. In some cases, financial assistance may be available.