Remember… Cleaner Storm Drains, Cleaner Creeks g the en To keep the runoff leaving your home or work place standin vironmen clean, please follow these simple guidelines: nder t around U you....

P tions.... reserving our creeks for future genera Folsom’s Creeks: Household Hazardous Waste What happens when it rains... • Properly dispose of waste through Folsom’s convenient service (www.FolsomHazmat.com) Distinctive by Nature Runoff water from our community enters the • Use the least toxic products for cleaning and every day. This water flows directly to our rivers without treatment, Folsom’s Stormwater auto, pest and garden maintenance where pollutants in the runoff can harm fish and wildlife and make Management Program • Clean latex paint brushes in a sink, not outdoors the waterways unhealthy. Runoff is generated in two ways: The City of Folsom owns and First, when stormwater hits the ground during a rain event, it operates the stormwater drain- s down the age system which carries runoff Automotive t flow stree travels in streets and gutters to storm If i t... drain pipes or channels, picking up to local creeks and the American • Maintain your vehicle to keep fluids from dripping onto pollutants (such as oil and grease River. We are responsible for flood the pavement from cars) accumulated on our management and we conduct • Properly dispose of auto fluids and batteries streets and other paved surfaces. maintenance necessary to safely convey storm flows to the (see www.FolsomHazmat.com) river during the wet season. At the same time, we are taking • When washing your car, use as little water and soap as Second, we generate water in the steps to combat urban runoff pollution to keep our water- course of our everyday activities possible to reduce runoff and pollution, or better yet, ways clean. We have adopted local regulations that make it use a commercial car wash that recycles the water at work and at home. This water, illegal to cause or contribute to a discharge of pollutants to such as excess runoff from sprinkler storm drains and waterways. Did you know that dirt, trash systems, dirty and yard debris are considered “pollutants” because they can Landscaping, Gardening & Construction rinse water from destroy downstream habitat and water quality? Dirt particles • Inform your landscape, construction and pool washing down buildings and (sediment) can cover fish spawning gravels and carry other contractor about proper methods to prevent pollution pavement, and wastewater from contaminants such as heavy metals to the creek. As yard • Sweep surfaces before hosing down to keep debris concrete work and painting, also debris decays, it robs the creek and everything in it of vital out of the storm drain makes its way into our storm oxygen needed to live. • Consider safer alternatives to chemical pesticides and drain pipes. Since 1990, the City has been a partner in the Sacramento fertilizers. Use sparingly and not before rain Stormwater Quality Partnership along with Sacramento • Compost or recycle yard waste County and other local cities. Together, we are implementing • To properly drain pools, spas and fountains, follow the a comprehensive program to protect the health of our creeks tips on the City’s website k Humbug Cree and rivers. But we also need your help. If you see pollution in It ends up What is a watershed? in you a storm drain or waterway or see someone polluting, please Pets r neigh ek. A watershed is an area of land that catches and drains water borhood cre call the City. • Pick up pet waste, bag it and put it in the trash. into a particular such as a creek, river or lake. Did you know? This will prevent harmful bacteria from getting into In Folsom, a handful of creeks—Willow, Humbug, Hinkle and our waterways Alder—take water from our properties and roads and deliver that • One quart of oil can contaminate 250,000 water to the American River and Lake Natoma. All of this water gallons of water—the equivalent of eventually makes its way to the , the Delta and 12 residential swimming pools. on to the Pacific Ocean. Whether you live close to a creek or a • Rinsing latex paint from a single paintbrush mile from it, we all live in the American River Watershed. What For more information on the Public Works Stormwater into the gutter can endanger the stream we do upstream affects our neighbors downstream, and vice Management Program call (916) 355-7272 habitat for a quarter of a mile down stream. versa. See the map on the inside of this brochure to find out or visit http://creeks.folsom.ca.us which of the City’s four creek watersheds you live in. © 2008 City of Folsom Printed on recycled paper Discover Folsom’s Creeks….. Folsom-Auburn Rd. Hinkle Creek

Folsom

Linda Creek

Folsom’s Creeks and Watersheds future bridge Green Valley Rd. Hinkle Creek The City of Folsom is home to four creek Folsom Mormon watersheds: Willow, Humbug, Hinkle Linda Creek A Oak Avenue Pkwy. m Lake State Folsom Island Empire Continues to Orangevale e Prison and Alder. These creeks deliver water r Recreation Wetland Ranch i c a Area Reserve Golf directly to the American River without n

R Course i any treatment to remove pollutants. So v e East Natoma Street r

C it’s up to us to make sure that runoff get- y n . ting to our storm drains and creeks is as D r . American River clean as it can be. To help preserve our natural environment, start by using this Rainbow Bridge Natoma Street Humbug Creek map to find out which watershed you live Greenback in. Visit your local creek and explore the Empire Ranch Rd. Lake Natoma Crossing trails on foot or bike to see firsthand the Blue Ravine Road Humbug Creek natural beauty we are trying to protect.

East Bidwell Street Then read the tips on the inside of this brochure (or at http://creeks.folsom. ca.us) to learn more about what you can R Willow Creek ile Sibley Street y do at home and at work to curb pollution.

S

t

r

e There are many ways to get involved and

e t make a difference in the Folsom commu- Willow Creek Willow Creek nity. Thanks for helping us to keep this a great place to live and work!

Oak Avenue Parkway Willow Creek

American River Blue Ravine Rd.

Prairie City Rd. NO DUMPING! Iron Po int Ro Folsom ad Alder Creek FLOWS TO CREEK Lake State Recreation Anything that enters a storm drain Lake Natoma Area Highway 50 flows untreated to the waterways we Folsom Blvd. Willow Hill Reservoir use for fishing, swimming and boating. Highway 50 Lake Natoma Alder Creek Continues to …. Respect, Protect and Enjoy. http://creeks.folsom.ca.us