Think Blue Maine – Clean Water Starts with you!

The Kid's Page

Did you know that you live in a watershed? Yes, that's right. We all live in a watershed. What's a watershed? It's a fancy word describing an area of land that drains or 'sheds' its water to a river or lake from higher to lower elevations. The ultimate North American watershed boundary is the continental divide which runs along the crest of the Rocky Mountain Range from British Columbia, Canada all the way through the United States, past Mexico, and into Central America. Rain falling on the divide has two choices, to flow West to the Pacific Ocean or East to the Atlantic Ocean.

Take this concept and apply it locally. The area you are in is part of a watershed and the water is flowing somewhere. Every raindrop from a storm falls into a watershed. Where does the stormwater from your yard go? It flows to the nearest lake, river or stream, and eventually to the ocean. Everyone lives in a watershed (except the astronauts in the Space Station)! How about the stormwater from your school, where does it go? Is it in the same watershed as your yard? Find out which watershed you live in.

The water in Maine's rivers, lakes, and streams needs your help. Yes, your help. (In the past, Maine kids were successful in helping adults understand the importance of recycling, and showed their families how to do it. Now you have the opportunity to lend your support to clean water). Are you up for the task? Here are a few ways you can help keep Maine's water clean:

• Never put or pour anything down a storm drain (those big holes in the curb). Why?
• Pick up your pet's waste. Why?
• Put litter (candy wrappers, cups, tissues, paper) in the garbage, or recycle it if you can. Why?

Have your family help you Keep it Clean!

So you think you know stormwater...find out. Take the Stormwater Quiz!

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Maine Streamlines

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If stormwater pollution were Rubber Duckies, it wouldn't matter what went down our storm drains. But stormwater pollution is not rubber duckies; it's soil, trash, oil, cigarette butts, and pet waste.