by David Goldstein, VCPWA, IWMD

The ongoing drought and other recent events have stressed local landscapes, and recent warm and dry weather may make rains seem distant, but as House Stark says in Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming.”

When rains hit weakened landscapes, the result is often erosion. If topsoil washes off your property and into storm drains, not only do you lose nutrients needed for gardening, but you also risk polluting natural habitat. Sediment-laden water flowing from storm drains into waterways can bind to fish gills, impairing fish’s ability to breathe. Murky water also blocks sunlight and inhibits the growth of plants necessary to sustain natural habitat. Runoff can also carry harmful metals, pesticides and fertilizers.

If you have recently lost established plants holding the soil of your landscape, or if you have only weakened or damaged plants, you may consider several options to prevent your topsoil from washing down storm drains and polluting waterways.

Straw wattles are one of the simplest and least expensive immediate measures to prevent erosion. Wattles are long tubes full of straw, mulch chips or coir, which is coconut mixed with straw. Wattles are placed across a slope, so they slow runoff, allowing water to flow through while holding back sediment.

Jason Stetler, a landscape architect with Scarlett’s Landscape, recommends aligning wattles at 15 foot intervals, like contour lines, depending on the angle and distance of a slope. Between rows, he often adds plants suitable for a Mediterranean climate.

Secure wattles into trenches a few inches deep, and use stakes on both sides to prevent them from washing away and clogging nearby storm drains. Jute and fiber blankets can provide similar protection on flatter areas, and sandbags can direct water away from erosion prone areas.

For longer term plans, consider native vegetation such as woody shrubs and natural grasses to stabilize soil and filter pollutants. Permeable hardscape is also useful to slow, spread, and sink water, rather than channeling rain into soil robbing torrents.

If you are considering working with a professional landscape company to plan or plant your garden, the sooner you start, the more likely you are to be prepared for the first major rain of the season. Lupe Pardue , Operations Manager of Halter Encinas Enterprises, reports she has received calls from 50 of the company’s 250 regular residential garden maintenance customers in the past two weeks, and these customers, as well as others, are eager to plan new landscapes.

Acres of land and vegetation now compromised by the Thomas Fires will have a recovery team consisting of Federal, State, Ventura County and City departments. The team is on high alert as these regions are extremely susceptible to debris flows and flooding.

From early modeling already done by the Ventura County Public Works Agency (VCPWA) Watershed Protection District hydrologists, there are grave issues to highlight – mud, water and debris are projected to double in all flood channels, creeks and major waterways during this year’s winter rainfall. In addition, the County of Ventura Geologist is also working directly with state and federal assessment teams during their site reconnaissance to discuss geologic conditions and provide Ventura County geologic overview and landslide hazard assessment.

“Now that the foundation of the affected land has been compromised, nearby communities will have an elevated risk of flash flooding and debris flows when the rains come,” explains Jeff Pratt, VCPWA Director. “We strongly advise homeowners near these burn areas to seek information on flood insurance options as soon as possible. Typical coverage takes 30 days to engage. Public Works will continue to monitor the burned areas at all times.”

Once the Thomas Fire has passed and the burned areas are deemed safe, County of Ventura Departments including the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), Health Care Agency (HCA), Public Works Agency (VCPWA) Watershed Protection District (WPD) hydrologists, and the County Geologist from PWA Engineering Services Department (ESD), will perform site reconnaissance to gain information about the potential next disaster with upcoming rain events, such as flooding, high erosion, landslides and debris flows. Together, they will collaborate to develop models that will assess the status of the burned hillsides, map the area’s most prone to flooding and determine areas prone to mudflows and sliding.

For more information about County of Ventura recovery efforts and what you can do to protect yourself, click the “Rain Ready” button at http://venturacountyrecovers.org/.