Wednesday, July 16, 2014   |   Issue No. 2
Watershed Quarterly: 
       20th Annual Creek Cleanup


 

The City of Tulsa held its 20th annual creek cleanup May 31 at Mohawk Park and the Tulsa Zoo. The event was a stellar success with more than 80 volunteers collecting approximately 60 bags of trash.

 

Volunteers were treated to a light breakfast before gearing up to head to the field. The weather was mild and enjoyable which made for pleasant trash-collecting conditions. Not only were volunteers asked to collect trash, but prizes were awarded for the most unusual find. Some of this year's most unusual trash included a plane ticket, a cell phone, and a rubber duckey. After collecting trash the volunteers enjoyed a delicious lunch provided by Rib Crib, as well as presentations highlighting Tulsa's water quality in its streams. Attendance prizes were given to all the participants, including kids' fishing poles, rain gauges, rain barrels, and golf course passes.

 

The event was a collaboration between the City of Tulsa, the Tulsa Zoo, TYPROs, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and the Tulsa County Conservation District. Thank you to all who participated and donated time and items: Tulsa Zoo, Rib Crib, Eskimo Joe's, Oxley Nature Center, The M.e.t., Mohawk Golf Course, Sprouts, Purple Glaze, and Einstein Bros. Bagel.

 

Keep Our Streams Clean

 

Most of us don't think about where water goes when it rains. We see the drains in the street and generally don't think about where they lead. Some people think that it goes to a wastewater treatment plant and is "cleaned." That isn't the case.

 

The drains in the street lead directly to our local streams with no treatment or cleaning whatsoever. This means that if you pour or spill something on the surface of your driveway or yard it will eventually end up in our local streams. This can include anything from chemicals applied to lawns, to vehicle fluids leaking from automobiles, or to trash that is left on the ground.

 

Once we know where our storm drains go, it is easier to understand how our everyday activities can unknowingly impact Tulsa's waterways.

Blackstripe Topminnow
                
The City of Tulsa is conducting a watershed characterization study to determine which of our streams are healthiest, as indicated by aquatic life. One fish to look for in a city stream is the Blackstripe Topminnow. This relatively common fish is found in eastern Oklahoma as well as the streams within the City of Tulsa. Reaching an approximate maximum size of three inches, the topminnow prefers to stay in relative slow-flowing edges and backwaters of streams. True to its name, these fish can be identified by a broad black stripe separating a light brown color on top from a whitish color on bottom. Having a rounded tail, its small dorsal fin is located slightly behind the anal fin and both consist only of soft rays. Its mouth is oriented upward, allowing the topminnow to feed on insects on the surface of the water. Its diet can also include crustaceans and occasionally algae. The Blackstripe Topminnow has a mild tolerance to water pollution. However, it has a mild intolerance to habitat degradation. Finding this species of fish during the City of Tulsa's watershed characterization studies indicates a productive habitat, specifically a relatively healthy riparian area.

 

Water Quality
Group Presentations
                 
The City of Tulsa's Stormwater Quality public education specialist is available to make presentations, conduct activities and answer questions for groups interested in the health of Tulsa's streams. Teaching adults and kids about
aquatic life and how everyone's activities affect the health of our waterways is one of the Stormwater Quality Section's main duties. To schedule a presentation,
call (918) 591-4325 or email jmonnot@cityoftulsa.org
Join Us for the Next 
Rain Barrel Workshop

Please join us at Oxley Nature Center, Aug. 30 at
10 a.m. for our Rain Barrel Workshop. The first 20 participants will receive free rain barrels. A hardware kit will also be available for a nominal fee. Workshop participants will learn how to make a rain barrel, as well as other ways to help improve water quality. To sign up for the program, please contact Oxley Nature Center
at (918) 669-6644.

Keep Yard Waste
Out of Drains

Heavy rains, which occasionally occur during the summer months can block drains, ditches and clog storm sewers, resulting in local flooding. Did you know blowing or sweeping grass clippings into streets where they can wash into storm drains and ditches is illegal? It can also flood homes and businesses and harm the wildlife that lives in and near streams. Visit www.cityoftulsa.org/sos for ways on how to dispose of grass clippings properly.

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