Lesson 4 Student Activity Solving Water Quality Concerns: Best Management Practices (BMPs) Answer Key for Photos and Line Drawings Student Directions: 1) Describe one water quality problem. 2) Draw one Best Management Practice (BMP) in the picture and describe how that will prevent or reduce water pollution. These line drawings are from the Wisconsin Water Resources Clip Art Collection developed by the Environmental Resources Center, University of Wisconsin-Extension in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources under funding from the Wisconsin Priority Watershed Program, the Basin Education Program and the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. Contributing artists: Lynne Bergschultz, Joe Heller, Chris Pike, Jerry Scott, and Carol Watkins. The CD may be ordered for $35 from UW-Extension Publications, 333 W. Miflin ST., Madison, WI 53703 or Tel: 608-262-3346. These illustrations may be used without permission for educational, non-profit purposes. For more information, contact the Environmental Resources Center at 608-262-1369

BMPs – Answer Key Construction BMP: Problem: The pile of topsoil is being carried by storm water runoff into the storm drain. BMP: The pile of topsoil is contained to prevent it from being washed away and carried by storm water runoff into the storm drain.

Parking Lots Problem: When it rains, the parking lot runoff flows directly into a storm drain, carrying pollutants with it (oil, gas, trash). BMP: The runoff goes into a settling pond where it can recharge groundwater and allow time for pollutants to settle to the bottom. Leaving parking lots unpaved, using pervious asphalt, and adding landscaping to parking lots are more good ways to increase groundwater infiltration and prevent polluted runoff from reaching streams and lakes.

Shoreline Development Problem: When it rains, storm water runoff carries lawn fertilizers and pesticides directly into lakes. Unvegetated shorelines are also more easily eroded, adding sediment to the lake and burying aquatic organisms. BMP: Maintain a vegetation buffer along shorelines to filter out contaminants. The roots of native shrubs and trees hold the soil in place. Grasses and other plants slow runoff allowing time for contaminants to settle out.

Animal Feedlot Problem: Animals wastes from feedlots carries bacteria, excess nutrients, sediment, and other contaminants into nearby streams. BMP: Keep livestock away from streams and allow shrubs and trees to grow along streambanks so they can filter out pollutants and protect water quality.