(Watertown) A local organization committed to improving the Rock River Basin recently installed restoration planting along a streamside in Watertown. The Rock River Coalition and the city partnered to install native plants along part of the Riverside Park Creek.
A section of the creek northeast of Labaree Street was chosen for the restoration project to replace turf grass with more natural landscaping. Rock River Coalition Executive Director Becca Dymzarov says a lot of work needed to be done to improve the creek.
“It had a lot of invasive species in it and it was during these…what used to be called one-hundred year floods…but now happen more frequently,” says Dymzarov. “The creek was overflowing…and so, looking for ways to reduce flooding along this creek.”
With the help of more than 14 volunteers, over 450 native grasses and flowers were planted. Dymzarov says over time, the restoration planting will both enhance the beauty of stream and provide environmental benefits.
“Instead of going into the creek and then flooding…the idea is that these native plants have anywhere from three-to-ten-feet deep roots and those roots are capable of absorbing a lot of water,” says Dymzarov. “Where as turf grass has maybe an inch-and-a-half to two-inches depth of root…so, it’s really a big difference between the two types of vegetation.”
Dymzarov adds that native plants also capture pollution like nutrients, chemicals, and road salt that are carried off nearby fields and streets. She says when there are less available nutrients, like phosphorus, in the water there are less algal blooms in our rivers and lakes. The new native plants on Riverside Park Creek will also help reduce erosion and cut down on maintenance.
