Tag: Poplar Creek

Storm Drains

Contributor: Anne Ledbetter
Stream Name: Poplar Creek
Location: Cobb County, GA (map)

The EPA has stated that polluted storm water runoff is the main cause of water quality problems. Rain water runoff picks up pollutants like motor oil, pet waste, fertilizer and yard waste and carries them along on to the streams. Non-porous surfaces do not allow the water to gradually sink into the earth and thereby exacerbate runoff issues.

Suburban rain travels down street side gutters into storm drains.

The storm drain (which is different then a sanitary sewer system; see last image for more in depth definition) carries water run-off directly into the nearest body of water. 

The image shows a storm drain in use as well as the inside of the drain on a dry day. Notice how the pine straw and other debris can remain stuck in the drain.

Beyond the drain, runoff travels by pipe, conduits or other open channels. The images are pipes on a low rain day versus a heavy rain. Notice how much more power and volume the water has on rainy day.

This increased force of the water can easily pick up bigger pollutants such as cigarette butts and pet waste.

The water rushes into the stream which can damage the stream’s ecosystem not only with pollutants, but the sheer force can damage the plants and animals living in the stream. Forceful run off also changes the course of the stream too. Straightening it out, causing erosion of the banks which sets a pattern for more and more damage.

Here’s how you can help make the community aware of storm drain run off issues. The pamphlet was put out by the Cobb County Ga Water System and also contains a contact where you can learn more and learn how to help

Looking for a Leak

Contributor: Anne Ledbetter
Stream Name: Poplar Creek
Location: Cobb County, GA (map)
Watershed: Chattahoochee River

I monitor Poplar Creek’s water quality for Cobb County. One of my neighbors, who has the creek in her front yard, alerted me to a change to the creek — the water was orange.

Orange is never a good color for a creek.

Notice the silty color at the top of the photo. Time to investigate…

I headed upstream, and within a quarter of a mile, the water looked like it had a higher concentration of silt.

Making progress. It looks like the silt is coming from the left side of the creek.

This is the pipe that was feeding the dirty water into Poplar Creek. I scrambled up a hillside, but came to railroad tracks and a fenced industrial area.

This seemed like a one-time event because the pipe was dry.

Cobb County Authorities always do a great job of coming out and checking on  problems. So I called them and gave them the info I had gathered. Cobb county investigated but since it had been a one time event they were unable to find the source and follow up with anything. The good part though is now there is a record of the event so if it happens again there will be more information to correct the problem.