Keep It Clean

    Hoover Crop  

Simple steps you can take at home to  prevent water pollution .


Take a Tour

Watershed Signage

Signage installed at Griggs, O'Shaughnessy & Hoover Reservoirs invites park visitors to  take a self-guided tour along the shoreline & learn about the green infrastructure installed there.

Rain gardens, porous pavement & more can improve the quality of storm water entering the reservoirs that supply our drinking water.

Non-point Source Pollution

Stormwater Runoff

Protect our Waterways
Illustration Courtesy of NCDENR

Watershed Signage Take a self-guided tour along the shoreline of Griggs, O'Shaughnessy & Hoover Reservoirs to learn about the green infrastructure on site.

Park visitors will see a variety of methods used to capture and treat stormwater flowing from nearby neighborhoods and roadways. Examples of rain gardens, pervious (porous) pavement, shoreline stabilization and more can be seen and will inspire residents to consider similar projects for their own home.

A healthy, plentiful water supply and quality drinking water begins by protecting water at its source. Green infrastructure offers promising solutions to help remove contaminants from storm water before it reaches our water supply. It is designed to capture surface water runoff. Once detained, pollutants can settle out and filter through pervious surfaces and plants can absorb excess nutrients. 

When our lanscapes allow stormwater to slow down and soak into the ground, many pollutants will filter out naturally. In addition, by slowing the flow and volume of stormwater, we can reduce stream bank damage, sedimentation and erosion. The result is cleaner water entering our rivers, streams and reservoirs and a more healthy environment for everyone.

Protecting Our Watershed

Protecting Our Watershed We All Have A Hand in Water Protection - Highlights benefits of a clean watershed & smart choices we can all make to have a positive impact on water quality. - learn more

Rain Gardens

Rain Gardens Slow Down, Soak In & Clean Up Stormwater - Naturally
Rain gardens absorb 30% more water than the same size area of turfgrass. - learn more

Shoreline Stabilization

Shoreline Stabilization Sedimentation & habitat loss are Ohio's leading causes of water quality degradation. Shoreline stabilization minimizes erosion & protects water quality. - learn more

Pervious Pavement

Pervious Pavement Pervious Pavement Slows Down, Soaks In & Cleans Up Stormwater - Naturally. Watershed health begins to decline with 10% impervious (non-porous) surface; 30% coverage causes severe impairment.  - learn more

Vegetated Swales

Vegetated Swales Bioswales Intercept & Treat Surface Water Runoff Urbanization & increases in impervious cover are significant threats to the protection of high-quality drinking water sources & aquatic habitats. - learn more

Bioretention Systems

Bioretention Systems Collect & Filter Stormwater Runoff. - learn more

Columbus' Watershed Management Program

Columbus' Watershed Management Program A high quality water supply source allows us to provide Columbus area residents with excellent drinking water at a reasonable cost. Our watershed program's focus is to protect our drinking water source and supply.   - learn more