Watershed Inventory
An important step in the watershed planning process is to gather what information we already know about the watershed. This will help us characterize the watershed and provide a basis for identifying concerns specific to the Still River watershed and the towns that fall within it.
HVA is currently working to compile and organize a single document, the Still River Watershed Inventory, which will contain links to all relevant studies, plans, town regulations, maps, etc. that contain information relevant to the Still River. The Inventory is a living document in draft form. Please contact us with any comments or suggestions for additional materials to include.
Watershed Inventory Draft Last Updated: August 20, 2018
Key Topic: Stormwater and Impervious Cover
Impervious cover (IC) refers to surfaces like parking lots, driveways, and roofs: surfaces that water flows over instead of through, like a sponge. When it rains. stormwater flows over impervious surfaces and picks up pollutants like oil and pet waste. This polluted water ultimately ends up in our streams, rivers, lakes, ponds and oceans.
Below are some featured items from the Inventory at the regional and state level that address these topics:
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Conservation and Development Policies: The Plan for Connecticut, 2013-2018 (Connecticut Office of Policy and Management)
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State policy to is to "MINIMIZE the impacts of development on drinking water sources by utilizing development forms and densities that limit impervious surface coverage to 10% of the overall area to be developed and which preserves the most amount of land in a natural or undisturbed state."
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Impervious Land Cover and Water Quality (DEEP, 2012)
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Graphics that show the inverse relationship between IC and water quality, and links to reports relating to IC.
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Connecticut Nonpoint Source Management Program (DEEP, 2014)
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Polluted stormwater runoff is an example of nonpoint source pollution. The state has a program in place to help manage this issue.
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Stormwater Pollution Management in Connecticut: Interactive Mapping Tool (DEEP)
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Stormwater Planning Tool for Impervious Cover
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Includes links to the Connecticut Watershed Response Plan for Impervious Cover, and an appendix that covers the Still River. Studies indicate that if IC exceeds 12% of land cover, severe problems ensue for aquatic organisms.
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Municipal Stormwater (DEEP, 2015)
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This webpage contains links to General Permit for the Discharge of Stormwater from Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4 General Permit) factsheets for each town in the state, including the percentage of IC in each town.
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Parking lots are one example of IC. When it rains, stormwater flows over the hard surface and washes pollutants like oil and animal waste into storm drains and nearby waterways.
Other Inventory Items to Check Out:
Still River Watershed (Watershed-wide)
Still River Study: Final Report (2004)
Water Supply Resources by Municipality
Connecticut (Statewide)
Integrated Water Quality Report Summary (2014)