WHY IT MATTERS
Many of our urban waters have been impacted by polluted runoff. However, there are many practices—from raingardens to shoreline stabilization—that can protect and improve the health of our lakes and creeks.
When stormwater travels over hard surfaces, like driveways and streets, it picks up pollution. This pollution includes things like grass clippings, leaves, pet waste, road salt, and fertilizer. The polluted runoff travels down stormdrains and directly into nearby waterbodies—untreated. Stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution to waterbodies in urban areas. The choices we make impact how clean our lakes and creeks are.
Algae and look-alikes
Algae is a normal part of the plant life in lakes, like the ones in the Nine Mile Creek watershed. With all the pollution coming into lakes from stormwater runoff, waterbodies often have too many nutrients, like phosphorus and nitrogen. Too many nutrients can lead to unwanted algae growth. However, not all the green on the surface of a lake is algae! Learn more about algae, and algae lookalikes in the fact sheets below:
Flora and fauna
Learn about the plants and animals that live in the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District. Linnea Palmstrom created these incredible photo books of the Birds of Nine Mile Creek and the Flora of Nine Mile Creek for her Girl Scout Gold Award from 2012-2014.