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<br />RICIE ~RIEIEK <br />WATERSHED <br />DISTRICT <br />V Vcv~lNe/ <br /> <br />Rake for Lakes' Sakel <br /> <br />Autumn has arrived with its cool <br /> <br /> <br />crisp nights, bright days, and <br />falling leaves. Did you know that tree leaves are a source of phosphorus, the <br />nutrient that turns our lakes and rivers green with algae? <br /> <br />In natural settings, phosphorus in fallen leaves is recycled back into the soil. But in urban areas, <br />where much of the land is covered by pavement, tree leaves that fall or are raked into the street <br />loose phosphorus into rainwater which is carried to lakes and rivers through storm sewers. <br /> <br />Excessive algae growth looks bad, smells bad, and is no fun to swim or boat in. Steps residents <br />can take to reduce the runoff of phosphorus that spurs algae growth are: <br />· Be your storm drain guardian. Rake or sweep leaves from your street and storm drains. <br />· Compost leaves and grass clippings on location or at a community yard waste collection <br />site. <br /> <br />· Keep the street clean of other materials that contain phosphorus, such as grass clippings <br />and eroded soil. <br />. Keep shorelines vegetated <br /> <br />More clean water tips are available at w\vw.cleanwatermn.org, a resource of Metro WaterShed <br />Partners, a collaboration of over forty water resource organizations and agencies. <br />