GREENSBORO – The town of Greensboro has recently launched a community-wide volunteer effort called “Adopt-A-Culvert” to empower volunteers to monitor and protect storm drainage systems. This program is organized by the Stewards of the Greensboro Watersheds of the Greensboro Association and the Greensboro Conservation Commission.
photo by JoAnn Hanowski
Culverts, which are owned by either private citizens or municipalities, provide a means for water to travel under our roads, and across the land into our streams, rivers, or lakes. Leaves, branches, stones and other sediment can block culverts, posing a threat to roads and water bodies. As a result, roads are eroded and severely damaged and water bodies can accumulate significant runoff pollution including phosphorus.
One way to help avoid these issues is to adopt a culvert. Through the Adopt-A- Culvert Pilot Program in Greensboro, the community can get involved with waterways by monitoring and protecting culverts.
Monitoring consists of examining the ditches leading into culverts for any debris including leaves, tree branches, mud, gravel or trash. Culvert clearing involves removing the debris from the ditches leading into culverts. Culvert clearing should be conducted at least twice per year, and before and after heavy rains or heavy snowfalls. When cleaning out culverts, gloves, a rake or broom and bags for trash, recycling, and organic materials are recommended. Sediment can be swept into the organic material bag. If this physical work is not possible, help is still needed to monitor and report to other volunteers who are able to physically clear the ditches.
This community-wide Greensboro Adopt-A- Culvert Project aims to document and remove debris from drainage ditches and culverts in the greater Greensboro area.
To volunteer for the Adopt-A-Culvert Program, fill out the registration form at https://forms.gle/tjhbBtAc5dHnZtBv6.
After you sign up, volunteers will be assigned one or more culverts to adopt in the neighborhood. Detailed instructions will be provided once committed to the program. For more information, email [email protected]
