What is it?

Although reservoirs have been used as an important source of surface water for municipalities and urban areas, the construction of reservoirs seriously impacts and/or eliminates existing natural habitats. Sections of rivers and instream habitats are lost and converted into deep lake like habitats, riparian and upland habitats are lost, dams can prevent the migration of fish and other aquatic animals upstream and downstream, connections to important nursery habitats in tributaries can be blocked, outflow from reservoirs can change downstream river temperatures, natural river hydology is changed, and sediments and nutrients can are trapped in reservoirs. There several alternatives to reservoir construction that should be implemented before construction of a new reservoir is considered (includes reduction of water use strategies).

Conservation Benefits

• Promotes water conservation
• Protects of aquatic, riparian, and upland habitats
• Protects of water quality

What does it include?

Alternatives to reservoir construction can include a wide variety of strategies including

• Construction of artificial wetlands to filter and reuse water (like the Richland Creek WMA wetlands or the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center )
• Implementing water conservation and reduction strategies
• Planting regionally appropriate vegetation for landscaping
• Low water use fixtures (like shower heads, toilets, landscaping irrigation fixtures)