You can limit nutrient runoff during snowmelt by keeping exposed soil to a minimum and making sure manure or stored materials are well contained before freeze-up. Vegetation, crop residue, or cover crops help anchor the soil so meltwater moves more slowly across the surface, giving it less power to carry nutrients away.
Properly managing storage levels in pits or lagoons reduces the chance of overflow when meltwater raises volumes unexpectedly. Directing runoff away from sensitive areas through berms or controlled drainage structures also helps keep nutrients from reaching waterways.
