You Can Name A Storm Drain Around Grand Rapids By Doing This

Michigan's Adopt-A-Highway program is well known. If you've ever driven on the highway, you've most likely seen the signs indicating that that stretch of road is being taken care of by a certain business or person (even Billy Strings has gotten in on the program).

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Adopting a highway can be a big undertaking. If you want to help keep the community clean but are looking for a more passive way, another program in Grand Rapids offers a low-maintenance (and fun!) way to be involved that few people are aware of.

If you've ever been like my roommates and me and have had to run outside during a storm with a shovel to clear the storm drains of debris to keep the road from flooding, this program is for you. Have you heard of the Adopt-A-Drain program?

Grand River Watershed Adopt-A-Drain

While the city does its best to keep these drains clean, sometimes they can use a helping hand. Checking and keeping your storm drain clear should be something you're doing anyway to help reduce flooding, and if you're doing it, you may as well let the city know it's being maintained by adopting it on the Adopt-A-Drain webpage. 

READ MORE: Downtown Grand Rapids Community Garden Opens Third Season

The Lower Grand Rapids Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) partners with the city to help monitor the over 50,000+ storm drains that flow directly into the Grand River and other streams/tributaries around the city. Storm drains with debris on top or that are generally dirty can lead to dirtier water. Click here to learn why it's important to keep your drain clear.

What Do You Do With Your Adopted Drain?

Officially adopting a drain is just like it sounds - taking ownership of keeping the 10 feet on both sides of the drain clear by removing snow, trash, or other natural materials like leaves or grass. The best part? You get to name the drain. There are some great names out there, like Alexander the Grate, Drainco Malfoy and Hermione Drainger, Adrian, and "Bond, Drains Bond" to name a few.

It's a small thing to do, but one that people have found ways to have fun with. You can learn more about the Adopt-A-Drain program here, including tips and specifications for cleaning up your drain. Currently, 1,791 drains have been 'adopted' in the Lower Grand River Watershed, with plenty still open. Check out the map to see if the one by your house has been claimed.