Finally, winter is slowly slipping away, and we begin to see all the remnants of the season in our lawns, roadways, and recreational areas. It is not just yards that need cleaning up but also stormwater that drains into our watershed.

The following image is of a street drain clogged with a season of debris. There is little water flowing through the stormwater system. When drains get this packed, plants can easily grow out of the drain, increasing the impervious surface and possibly overflowing.

You may have a drain outside your home, but you may not have noticed it because drains can be buried under debris.

What can you do? Simple storm drains are easy to clean.

1. Clear the area around the drain and make sure that water can flow freely into the drain. Oftentimes there is plant debris or other barriers that block water flow.
2. With a tool or a stick, carefully dislodge one blocked section of the drain. It is better NOT to push debris into a drain, which is why a curved tool – such a garden cultivator/weeder took – that can reach beneath the clog and push it out. A cobra head weeder is perfect.
3. Remove the debris to an area it can be absorbed back into the earth.

The CCWC encourages you to adopt a drain and make a commitment to keep it clear through the year. Small effort for a big return.