Before you begin to design your vegetative buffer, assess the physical characteristics of your property. The slope, amount of light and soil types will help you decide what to plant. Also, consider your “viewshed” and the focal points of your yard. The effectiveness of your buffer will depend on its width, slope and the type of vegetation to be planted - the wider the better. Buffer plantings that extend over the water’s edge help to cushion the shoreline from erosion caused by the impact of waves and boating activity while providing important shade in the water habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife.

Your yard does not have to resemble the forest to help protect the lake. Existing vegetation can be enhanced to create an effective buffer. Using existing vegetation requires less time and expense than replanting with new plant material.

Before beginning work on your vegetative buffer, remember a permit may be required if any earthmoving or heavy equipment is required. Work within 100 feet of the lake is considered a regulated activity and requires a wetlands permit from the Town of Winchester Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission. Begin by consulting Scott Eisenlohr, the Town’s Wetlands Enforcement Officer, who will determine whether you need a permit. His office can also give you advice on types of plantings and how to control erosion during construction. Scott can be reached at 860.738.6980.

If you have a grassy, nonforested lakeside yard, consider the following maintenance practices. Since lawns are not considered an effective buffer, consider taller, coarser types of grass. Only mow and collect grass clippings three times per year to promote thick vegetation growth which improves absorption of nutrients before they reach the lake. The final mowing should take place before September 1 to allow sufficient growth to provide filtration during the nongrowing season. The buffer area should be seeded with an appropriate seed mixture to maintain a dense, vigorous growth of vegetation.

Go green with vegetative buffers for our ever beautiful blue lake!

For more information on designing and creating vegetative buffers, visit the Candlewood Lake Authority’s website – www.candlewoodlakeauthority.org – and select the “Education” area. Email any questions or comments to me at mhpeacock@charter.net.