Stormwater Information

Did you know that stormwater is NOT treated before discharging into the Los Pinos River!

• Go easy on landscape fertilizer, use only recommended amounts.
• Nutrients found in commercial fertilizers like phosphorus and nitrogen can increase algae growth in the Los Pinos River killing fish and creating dead zones. 
• Don’t overwater, this creates excessive runoff.
• Plant native and drought tolerant vegetation that requires less water.
• Turn off sprinklers when it rains!
• Run sprinklers only at night or early in the mornings during the summer per the Bayfield watering schedule. 
• Colorado State University Extension Guidance on lawn irrigation:  https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/
• Use commercial car washes instead of washing your car in the driveway.  It uses 60% less water, and soaps, oils, grease and dirt go into the sewer system rather than flowing into the Los Pinos River. 
• Fix leaking vehicles so that oils, antifreeze or other fluids don’t get washed into the Los Pinos River.
• If you have a vehicle leak, use cardboard or kitty litter to soak up the liquid and dispose of it properly. 
• When changing car oil or radiator fluid, capture the used liquids and dispose of them properly at a local auto business or where hazardous waste is accepted. 

Town of Bayfield Responsibilities

Most drainage facilities in Bayfield were constructed for and are associated with a subdivision, and are not the Town of Bayfield’s responsibility to maintain.  The Town of Bayfield currently takes on the following maintenance responsibilities:

• Large debris is removed from public street stormwater inlets during and after storm events.
• In the fall leaves are removed from street gutters and storm grates to allow for snow melt to drain throughout the winter.
• Culvert cleaning is incident-based and performed in the event of a backup. This is for culverts crossing under Town streets and doesn’t include private driveway culverts.
• Town owned detention basins are mowed throughout the spring and summer as needed.

Property Owner Responsibilities

Many private properties in Bayfield have drainage easements on them, refer to your subdivision plat to determine if your property contains drainage easements.  A drainage easement legally provides the right to have water drain from one property onto another. A prescriptive drainage easement is the uncontested use over the downstream property for a prescribed period of time by the upstream property.  Swales, ditches, underground pipes, culverts and stormwater basins can all be located in a drainage easements. 

When drainage easements are modified or disturbed by construction, grading, landscaping, fencing, etc. that alter the flow and cause water to back up on the upstream property, the owner of the downstream property may be liable for damages even if flooding takes place after the alteration. 

To maintain drainage easements:

• Mow swales and ditches to keep grass/weed heights low.
• Keep bottom of swales and ditches open to permit flow of water after heavy rains.
• Keep underground pipes and driveway culverts open and free of debris, rocks, grass and sediment.
• Do not drive across a swale, ditch or underground stormwater pipe.
• Maintain side slopes of swales and ditches from erosion.
• Fences installed in the swale or ditch flow line may impede drainage.
• Keep roof gutters clear of leaves and debris.

Homeowner Association Responsibilities

Most Homeowner Associations (HOAs) in Bayfield are responsible for regular maintenance of their subdivision’s detention basin(s).  To maintain detention basins:

• Install grass in basins to help filter pollutants and control erosion.
• Mow basins to keep grass/weed heights low.
• Remove sediment.
• Keep trash and debris out.
• Keep underground pipes open and free of debris, rocks, grass and sediment.
• Maintain side slopes of basins to prevent erosion.
• Clean grates and storm inlet vaults.
• Maintain basin per the approved engineered design.