Alabama Soil and Water Blog Spot

  I know this is a post-construction stormwater picture of paint being emptied into a storm sewer, but I have seen chemicals like paint emptied into construction stormwater conveyance systems that run straight to our streams.  Nothing but clean runoff water (either construction or post-construction) should enter the waters of the state from our developed sites.  ______________________________________________________________________ The Alabama Stormwater Symposium and Clear Water Alabama event is fast approaching, September 20-21, 2023, at the Marriott Shoals Convention Center. Early Bird Rates end August 25 th !! Visit our website for meeting information and registration: https://alabamasoilandwater.gov/alesc/ Select “Events and Training”, “Clear Water Alabama”, and “2023”   Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee

  Although non-native grasses such as Pensacola Bahia, Bermuda and Tall Fescue are very important in our erosion control planting for vegetative cover, we professionals should be aware of other non-native plants (shrubs and trees) that could be considered highly invasive to our environment. Are the shrubs or trees being used on your jobsite considered to be invasive?  How many invasive plants can you see in this picture? There are at least four.   Find out more information on the Alabama Invasive Plants Council website. https://www.se-eppc.org/alabama/ _________________________________________________________________________    Use the following link to register or book a hotel room: https://alabamasoilandwater.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2023ClearWaterAla_Email.pdf   Perry L Oakes, PE Erosion and Sediment Control Program Coordinator AL Soil and Water Conservation Committee

Barbour County Farmer Andy McRae shows off the difference between his irrigated and non-irrigated corn. The Alabama Irrigation Initiative, launched by the Alabama Soil and Water Conservation Committee (ALSWCC), aims to address the challenges posed by unpredictable weather patterns in the state of Alabama. The initiative focuses on increasing the percentage of irrigated farmland in the state by encouraging the adoption of water-saving irrigation systems and techniques. Some of these methods include drip irrigation, micro irrigation and center pivot irrigation. By using these water-efficient practices, farmers can optimize water use and reduce waste, making their agricultural practices more sustainable. The initiative started in 2019 in the Middle Tennessee River basin and expanded into the Choctawhatchee and Pea River (Choc-Pea) watersheds of southeastern Alabama in 2021. The Choc-Pea watershed has sandy clay soil with low water-holding capacity, making irrigation particularly benefici