Stormwater Management with the Sodus Central High/Middle School 


IMG_0851On August 4th we ran a program with about 30 Sodus Central High/ Middle school “summer program” youth. We talked about stormwater management. We reviewed the installation of a rain barrel at Village of Sodus Point. (The barrel had been painted last year by the Sodus Central Eco club). We then used color chalk to draw pollutants that could enter into storm drains, as we hosed down the drawings we watched the direction that colored water flowed into and around the drains. Kids then broke out into groups of storm clouds and storm water catchers. Using tennis balls as rain drops we mimicked the path rain water takes as it makes its way into Sodus Bay. Many balls followed the cracks in the pavement that were created by heavy rain events. Some drops flowed into a rain garden below. Walking downhill to the bay we looked at the individual storm drains along the way. We ended our tour at the stormwater outlet located directly at the bay shore. Thank you Sodus Central Summer School program for taking time to talk about the importance of stormwater management!

IMG_0169The Wickham Blvd ‘Rain Gardens’ in Sodus Point, NY were planted on July 16th. Village of Sodus Point landscape crew, Wayne County SWCD staff , Mayor Tertnick and volunteers from the Neighborhood Association, Rotary and Village neighbors pitched in to help plant the gardens.

Rain gardens are just what they sound like; a regular garden in your yard filled with native plants and grasses that are designed to absorb water. Rain gardens are working gardens and are designed to slow down the rush of water from hard surfaces, hold the water for a short period of time, and allow it to naturally infiltrate into the ground. This helps keep clean, fresh rainwater out of the sewer system that could otherwise carry with it pollutants like oil, salt, fertilizer, and pesticides.  Rain gardens are a beautiful and colorful way for homeowners, businesses and municipalities to help ease stormwater problems.

Rain Garden Basics 

 

 

fall_imageHappy Fall all! It is that time of year again for Leaf (Leaves) Management. What do you do with your leaves can affect the water bodies nearest to your homes.

How so? Check out this article for some more information!


http://www.almanac.com/blog/natural-health-home-tips/what-do-fall-leaves

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