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Don't let leaves litter lakes

sweeping leaves out of street

When fall leaves can decompose on the ground where they fall, they help restock the soil with nutrients and organic matter.

But when leaves fall on streets, sidewalks, and other hardscapes in urban areas, they wash into the storm drains and end up in  lakes and rivers where they feed algae growth. The algae then decomposes and uses up oxygen that fish and native plants need.

In rural areas, leaves naturally get into lakes from surrounding trees and don't cause excess nutrient pollution. The problem arises in urban areas when leaves from whole cities or neighborhoods wash into a body of water through a storm sewer system. The volume of organic matter can overwhelm the waterbody.

In the Mississippi River-Twin Cities Watershed, the MPCA monitored and assessed 180 lakes, and 80 of them didn’t meet water quality standards because of excess nutrients. Don't "leaf" it up to someone else to solve this problem! Here's what to do with your autumn leaves so that they nourish the soil and not unwanted algae.

Break out the rake

Rake up the leaves that accumulate along your curb and sidewalk and in your alley several times during the fall. Street sweeping in late fall helps keep a lot of leaves from entering the water. If your city doesn't already do this, encourage them to start! However, street sweeping can't be the only solution. Rake when you see leaves start to build up to keep them out of the storm drains. Never rake leaves into the street, even when you know the street sweeper is coming.

Broaden your impact

Consider organizing a community clean up for water quality, to help your neighbors. Or sign up to adopt a storm drain or two in your neighborhood. Adopters sweep up leaves, trash, and other debris off the surface of their assigned drain year round and report on the amount of debris picked up. Keeping the drains clear not only reduces pollutants going into lakes and rivers, it helps prevent localized flooding. Visit the Adopt-a-Drain web site to find storm drains around the state that are waiting to be adopted.

Composting is best

Don't add leaves to the regular trash (it's illegal!) and don't burn them. Burning leaves releases lots of smoke and causes breathing problems for people with asthma and other conditions, and leads to long-term health effects for all of us.

If you do your own composting, you can use leaves in your bin. Or take them to your local yard waste or compost site. Contact your county for information on locations, items accepted, and any fees.

Whole or shredded leaves also can be used as mulch. Mulch benefits the soil and reduces weeds. On the lawn, use a mower to break apart the leaves so that they fall between the blades of grass. Don't let the leaf layer get too thick! In garden beds, leaves provide a protective layer of insulation for perennial gardens and shrubbery, either bagged or loose. Read these additional tips for mulching from Minnesota Extension.

Choose convenience

Your garbage hauler may separately collect yard waste — sometimes for an additional fee — and bring it to a commercial compost site. Contact your hauler to learn about your pick-up options.

Go ahead and jump

Before bagging or moving the leaves, jump in them! Inhale deeply. Share your pile by leaving it on the lawn near the sidewalk for a few days with chalk note that says, "jump!" There are tons of benefits to playing outside. Soak in the fall while it lasts!

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