The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) works to reduce pollution to our lakes through the installation of erosion control projects known as BMPs (best management practices). Founded in 1996, this program has already completed more than 1,400 BMPs on all seven Belgrade Lakes. Each summer, a program manager oversees work crews of high school and college students. The YCC manager is available for on-site consultations about how your property may affect water quality in our lakes. Installation labor is provided free of charge – landowners pay for materials and permit fees. Call us at 207-495-6039.
Best Management Practices
Rain/Buffer Garden
Rain / Buffer Gardens are gardens that capture stormwater. The vegetation within these rain gardens absorb nutrients from stormwater. This BMP is normally installed next to impervious surfaces like roofs and driveways or next to shorelines.
Rip-Rap
Armored Shorelines / Rip Rap are large angular rocks placed on shorelines to reduce erosion from waves and ice.
Armored Ditch
Ditches are designed to hold and transfer stormwater. Ditches are armored with rock where ditches are steep enough to cause erosion. The rocks slow down the velocity and force of water within the ditch.
Water Bars
Water-Bars are normally seen on hiking trails. They are the diagonally oriented row of rocks dug into the middle of the path. The function is to divert water off paths. The rocks in the path prevent washouts and increase the life of the path.
Turnouts
Turnouts are often seen on roads and paths. Turnouts are channels that move water from ditches into natural vegetated areas.
Erosion Control Mulch
Erosion Control Mulch (ECM) is designed to stabilize bare soils and paths. Standard mulch is 100% vegetation and very buoyant. Rain will cause standard mulch to float and move. ECM has a mixture of dirt, rocks, and bark that doesn’t move easily.
Infiltration Steps
Infiltration Steps are used on steep slopes. These steps are made with 6″x6″ pressure-treated lumber and are secured into the slope with ¾” rebar. The stepping surface of these stairs is a bed of ¾” rock. This allows water to get into the ground, rather than eroding the surface of the slope.
Infiltration Trenches
Infiltration Trenches are usually seen at drip-lines of houses and camps. Roofs are considered an impervious surface which cannot accept water. As a result, the water from your roof hits the ground at the drip-line and moves over the surface of the ground. A drip-line trench puts water into the ground so roots can filter excess nutrients. The ¾” rock-filled trench encourages water to drain into the soil rather than over it.
Rubber Razors
Rubber Razors are similar to water bars except that water bars are made with stone and this structure is made with rubber. The flexible rubber allows vehicles to pass over them with ease. You see these structures on driveways and dirt roads.