Show All Answers

1. What is a watershed?

A watershed is the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains or seeps that precipitate into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. You're sitting in a watershed now! Homes, farms, ranches, forests, small towns, big cities counties and more can make up watersheds. Watersheds may extend cross county, state, and even international borders. Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. Some watersheds a very large and are millions of square miles while others are just a few acres. 14-Digit Hydrologic Unit Codes (HUC) That Make Up

2. What is a stormwater drainage system?

A stormwater drainage system is a conveyance network of catch basins, curb inlets, yard inlets, pipes, swales and culverts that transports water away from roads and property. Stormwater travels through the conveyance system which consists of storm pipe, swales and ditches and is then discharged into streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands.

3. How can stormwater be a problem?

A stormwater drainage system not only transports water, but anything else that intentionally or unintentionally enters the system. Items transported through the system could include trees, limbs, leaves, soil, silt, oil, fertilizer, metals and any chemical contaminant of the water. These items have the potential to contaminate our streams and rivers.

Large storm events in urban, developed areas can cause flooding. In areas with natural ground cover, only 10% of rainwater becomes runoff and the other 90% is absorbed into the ground or evaporates. In urban areas, up to 55% of rainfall can become runoff. This increased runoff can cause flooding, erosion, property damage and pollution if not properly managed.

4. What are the fish painted on my storm drain?

This is the logo selected by the Tippecanoe Storm team to raise awareness that storm drain inlets discharge directly into local rivers and streams. A contest was held where area students (4th-12th grade and local college students) were invited to send in a drawing that represents the river, stormwater and/or protection as a theme. The winner was an interesting combination of all themes. The logo is composed of natural resources that need protection; a water droplet and a fish surrounded by waves of water. The logo will always be accompanied by the educational text "No Dumping - Drains to River."

The storm drain marking/stenciling program is a volunteer program. If your group is looking for community service activities, contact Don Emmert, the Tippecanoe County storm water educator to learn how to participate in the storm drain stenciling program.

No Dumping - Drains to River - Storm Drain Fish Lo

5. Whom should I contact for assistance with a drainage concern?

If you need assistance with a drainage problem on your property, use the Citizen Request Tracker and note your name, phone number, address, email address and details about the drainage concern. Or you may also call 765-807-1800. Citizen Request Tracker

6. What is being done to protect local water quality?

The City of Lafayette is working with Tippecanoe County, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ivy Tech and the Towns of Dayton and Battle Ground to implement effective and consistent BMPs (Best Management Practice) across jurisdictional boundaries to ensure clean and safe waterways locally. The partnership publishes a quarterly newsletter to keep the community informed and updated about water quality issues within Tippecanoe County. Check out the Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality's page for more information: http://www.tcpwq.org/.