Have you ever noticed the storm drains around town? If the answer is no, I can’t blame you. They are easy to overlook but perform an important function. A storm drain is a system of underground pipes designed to drain excess rain or surface water from impervious surfaces like roofs, sidewalks, parking lots and streets into local waterways. Unlike sewer lines, storms drains move the water without it being treated in a sewage treatment plant before discharging into local waterways.
This means that anything that goes down a storm drain goes directly into the lake.
The next time you are out for a walk, be on the lookout for these storm drains. You will notice they say “Drains To Waterways.”
Storm drains take rainwater and pollutants straight into the lake!
- Trash and Debris
- Gas and Oil
- Grass Clippings
- Leaves
- Fertilizer Run-off
- Sediment/Sand
Actions on Land Have Consequences in the Water
In order to make people more aware of what is going down the storm drains, Lake Maxinkuckee Environmental Fund (LMEF), has partnered with Heartland Artists to paint 2 storm drain murals. One location is at the library, at the corner of Main and Washington and the other location is on E. Lake Shore Drive across from the gas station.
Cast Your Vote
We would like input from the community as to which design to paint. Cast your vote for the design at the library by selecting Library A or Library B and a separate vote for the design along Lake Shore Drive by selecting LakeShore A or LakeShore B. Simply email lmec@lakemax.org, stop by or call 574-842-3686.
The murals will be completed by LakeFest and there will be a ribbon cutting on July 15th.
Art is in the air and under your feet.
Be sure to look down!
This project is made possible by a grant from The Ralph C. Vonnegut, Jr. Fund, which was established in 2007. Every year grants are awarded to environmental, educational, or recreational projects directly related to Lake Maxinkuckee. Thank you Marshall County Community Foundation!
Hi, I’m Debbie Palmer. I received a BS in Horticulture from Purdue University. Here at LMEF, I am responsible for outreach presentations, monitoring the lake and it’s wetlands, project manager for restoration and research projects, and act as a community resource for all things related to the well-being of Lake Maxinkuckee and its surrounding watershed. I completed Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy, volunteer with the Indiana Clean Lakes Program, Hoosier River Watch and Marshall County Lakes and Waters and serve as a Board Member for Indiana Lakes Management Society.
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