And the winners are ...

Mike Jones and Millie Karol! The Carson Clear Water Revival (CCWR) team is pleased to announce the winners of this year’s BMP contest! Mike and Millie have won a site evaluation and project implementation to install BMPs (Best Management Practices) for their property on Timberline Drive in Carson City. Mike and Millie’s winning contest application described erosion problems on their property, as well as ideas for BMPs which could be installed to reduce sediment and stormwater runoff. Preliminary plans include grading the right-of-way area, lining the channel with rocks and check dams, installing gravel in the parking area, and creating an infiltration basin. The project also recommends thinning evergreens and landscaping with drought and fire resistant plants.

The Carson Clear Water Revival Program is a free educational program to help Carson City property owners to understand how the installation of BMPs can reduce flooding and erosion problems on their property, create defensible space, enhance their landscaping, and protect the Carson River.  


Stormwater runoff washes down the hill without being absorbed, bringing debris with it.  


The gravel in the right-of-way on this property has become inundated with cheatgrass on its way to the homeowner's driveway. 


Whenever there is a storm event, sediment washes across the driveway and continues down the hill without infiltrating. 


Thick evergreens and broom near the house create a fire hazard and needs to be thinned. 

Job Well Done!

In late October 2011, Carson Clear Water Revival (CCWR) team members converged at Mike Jones’ and Millie Carol’s home to install erosion control Best Management Practices (BMPs). When the homeowners applied to the CCWR BMP contest, their main objective was to address stormwater runoff that inundated their driveway and yard with sediment and other debris. They also wanted to tackle the “worn out” gravel that was a haven for cheat grass along Timberline Drive. The Nevada Tahoe Conservation District (NTCD) staff designed a plan that met the contest winners’ goals. The plan incorporates the infiltration of stormwater on-site and the reduction of flammable vegetation including cheat grass, junipers and scotch broom. The homeowners got busy and removed a few scotch broom plants and trimmed back their junipers. The team then came in and excavated the cheatgrass-infested gravel and created a rock lined swale within the right-of-way between the homeowners’ property and Timberline Drive. The swale infiltrates stormwater run-off and helps trap suspended sediment. Any excess water run-off is directed across the driveway (in a low spot) to a parking pad with perforated pipe. An infiltration basin captures any remaining run-off. The BMPs were designed to infiltrate run-off from a two-year/24-hour storm. UNR Cooperative Extension (UNCE) staff provided advice to the homeowners on plants that will assist in capturing and using stormwater and will be visually interesting. This vegetation will be planted in Spring 2012. The Carson Water Subconservancy District would like to thank everyone on the CCWR team that helped make this possible. We would also like to thank our sponsors, Jim Groth Excavation for providing excavation expertise and a backhoe; Spherion, Inc. for providing three laborers for a tough day of work; Cinderlite for rock and hauling of excavated soil; and Green House Garden Center for providing a gift certificate for plants this spring. With teamwork, this great project was done in ONE LONG TOUGH DAY! 

After bushes were thinned and the rocks removed, Jim Groth created a swale with his backhoe. 

Cinderlite delivers the rocks which will line the swale.

Robb Fellows compacts the dirt next to the road.

Finished project!

Thanks to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who contributed to the success of this project:

Business BMP Installation Partners: 
Cinderlite Rock & Sand, Greenhouse Garden Center, Jim Groth Excavation, and Spherion Staffing

Project Partners:
Carson City Public Works/Stormwater Floodplain Program, Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, Carson Water Subconservancy District, Nevada Tahoe Conservation District, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, & the Nevada Fire Safe Council. 

Special thanks to Mike Jones and Millie Carol for work and extra efforts towards making this BMP project a success!