October 2016.
Early October temperatures in the 90s – not State Fair or Football weather; but the red leaves of a flame sumac sapling on the creek bank hint that fall is approaching. This means leaves coming down, and a good time to revisit the best practices for keeping leaves and other trash out of the storm drains, and most important out of the creek.
Noting the abundance of plastic bottles, bags, and other debris in the creek and along the greenbelt suggests that there’s much room for improvement in the control of trash and recyclables. While most of these items likely are swept into storm drains outside of our neighborhood, we can take a moment to ensure that our own trash and recycle bins are not the source.
And try to use organic products when needing to use pesticides and other chemicals on your lawns. Rain and irrigation systems will transfer these contaminants into our creek water. Water released from your pools with a high ph. will also pollute the creek water.
Every substance that flows or is carried into Joe’s Creek impacts the water quality of the Trinity River.
Footnote: The actions of those who continue to spray graffiti on the retaining wall near Hockaday, and those who left cut branches in the creek bed at either end of the retaining wall (could be the same person(s)? contrast sharply with those of the dedicated NPNA volunteers who work to keep the creek a natural area, and an asset to the neighborhood.
Vince Punaro, NPNA Creek Leader