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Your Street Connects to Lakes and Creeks
Steve Tonn – extension educator – Omaha Metro Lakes

Did you know that your street connects to the lakes and creeks in the Omaha metro area and ultimately the Missouri River? Standing Bear Lake, Lake Candlewood, Zorinsky Lake, Carter Lake, Big Papillion Creek, Little Papillion Creek, the West Branch of Papillion Creek and the Missouri River are collection points for runoff stormwater from our streets. The stormwater sewer system is an underground river that leads to our lakes and creeks. There are over 300 outfalls or pipes discharging runoff stormwater into the Papillion Creek system running through Omaha. Additional discharge sites empty directly into the Missouri River and the metro area lakes.

So what? Stormwater runoff carries pollutants from our homes, businesses, parking lots, golf courses, shopping centers, schools, streets, sidewalks, and driveways to our lakes and creeks. This stormwater runoff is not treated or cleaned before entering the lakes and creeks.

What are some of these pollutants? Common urban runoff pollutants are grass clippings, leaves, trash and litter, sediment, pet waste, pesticides, fertilizer, automobile fluids (oil, grease, gasoline, antifreeze), deicing products (road salt, fertilizers, deicers), metals ( car exhaust, brake and tire wear), paint, soap, cleaning products, and solvents.

How can you reduce runoff pollution from your property? Avoid overuse of fertilizers and pesticides, apply fertilizer and pesticides only onto targeted areas, avoid excess watering, clean up gas, oil, and other automotive products leaks and spills, use a commercial car wash, pick up pet waste, no dumping in stormwater drains, keep grass clippings and leaves out of the street, drain downspouts onto grassy areas, sweep off driveways and pick up the litter rather than washing the waste into the stormwater drain, and use mulch or plants to cover bare soil in the landscape.