GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – As temperatures warm this week, the City of Grand Rapids is asking residents to keep catch basins near their home free from snow and ice. The City’s Department of Environmental Services (ESD) says this proactive action can prevent street flooding, protect the environment and manage stormwater.
More than 17,000 catch basins (storm drains) inlets across Grand Rapids drain water during storm events and snow-melting periods. Each catch large objects of debris that would otherwise end up in the river but can become blocked with hard packed snow and ice. These clogs can lead to unnecessary and unwelcomed street flooding.
While City crews professionally clean up to 4,000 catch basins annually, residents can help augment that effort by clearing storm drains near their home of any obstruction. The City is encouraging residents to participate in the Adopt-A-Drain program coordinated by the Lower Grand Rapids Organization of Watersheds (LGROW). LGROW’s mission includes promoting and protecting the Grand River. The regional, year-round Adopt-A-Drain program encourages residents to take proactive action to protect the environment, manage stormwater and minimize flooding.
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