Surface water runoff can cause adverse impacts related to water quality and quantity.  Horse farms impact water quality by improperly managing manure and mud on the premises.  Nutrients from manure runoff promotes the growth of nuisance aquatic weeds that choke stream channels, and reduces oxygen available for fish.  Bacteria from manure is also a contributing factor in the widespread degradation of shellfish beds in Puget Sound.  20 years ago we would drive a short distance to local beaches where clams and oysters could be harvested in abundance.  Now, however we find "closed" signs at these beaches.  Our native salmon are in trouble as well.

Another problem is created when water runs off  too fast without having a chance to soak in or spread out.  In the 1980's reconnaissance studies were begun on local watersheds, and it was noted that streams throughout the Puget Sound region were reacting to a new flow regime caused by surface water runoff created by development.  Problems included flooding, erosion, sedimentation, landslides, and loss of water quality.  Catastrophic events were occurring whereby stream channels, that had been stable for thousands of years, were being dramatically altered in a single rainfall event.  Property damage and injury were becoming widespread. 

Water running off from building roofs, driveways, and other impervious surfaces has historically been dealt with by channeling  it off as quickly as possible, where it would become a problem on the neighbors property.  More ditches were dug and sandbags added.  But like a game of musical chairs, someone ultimately gets left standing - property damage occurs and wildlife habitat is destroyed.

Culverts along local drainage swales normally get successively larger.  However, the culverts in our drainage swale (drainage from immediate area - not a stream channel) get progressively smaller.  This has the desirable effect that when there is a big downpour, the water has an opportunity to gently expand into grassy areas at each "checkpoint," which provides water retention/detention buffering.  If it were not this way, we would be causing problems for our downstream neighbors, and the local private road would probably flood.  It doesn't cause us any hardship as the water drains in due time.

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