What We Can Do at Home: Everyday Actions

Canyon Lake is more than just a place to boat, fish, or swim - it’s also part of a larger watershed where everything we do on land eventually affects the water. While regional agencies play a major role in managing the lake, individual households also hold the power to protect its health. The truth is, many of the nutrients and pollutants that fuel harmful algal blooms or cloud the water can be limited or prevented by simple, everyday actions around our homes.

Use Fewer Chemicals

One of the biggest contributors to lake problems is the overuse of fertilizers and pesticides. When lawns, gardens, or even wooden decks are treated heavily, rain or irrigation can wash those chemicals directly into the lake or into storm drains that lead directly to the lake. Once there, fertilizers release nitrogen and phosphorus that feed algae, while pesticides can harm aquatic insects and fish. Using natural soil amendments, choosing native plants that require less fertilizer, and applying treatments sparingly, or not at all, near the shoreline, can make a major difference.

Clean Up Waste

Pet waste is another issue often overlooked. Left on the ground, it doesn’t just smell bad, it contains bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorus. When washed into storm drains or directly into the lake, it contributes to the very nutrient buildup we are trying to prevent. Similarly, street litter, such as plastic bottles, cigarette butts, or food wrappers, often ends up in storm drains, which then ends up in the water. Taking a few extra minutes to clean up after pets and picking up litter keeps pollutants out of the lake and makes the community cleaner for everyone.

Keep Drains Clear

Storm drains are sometimes misunderstood. They are not connected to a treatment plant, and they are not trash cans. Anything that goes into them — leaves, grass clippings, oil from driveways, or paint from a DIY project — flows untreated into Canyon Lake. Keeping drains clear of debris prevents blockages during storms and stops extra nutrients and pollutants from entering the water. A good rule of thumb is simple: If you wouldn’t want to swim in it, don’t let it go down the drain.

Water Wisely

How we manage irrigation also matters. Overwatering lawns or gardens causes runoff that carries soil, fertilizer, and other contaminants into the storm system. Adjusting sprinklers so water stays on plants and soil instead of running down sidewalks is an easy fix. Around the lake, landscaping choices are especially important. Buffer strips of native grasses or shrubs along shorelines help filter runoff before it enters the water. Even small changes in landscaping can provide big benefits in reducing erosion and nutrient pollution.

Article contributed by the Lake Advocacy Committee.