From Parking Lot to River: A Raindrop’s Journey Through Town

by | Apr 15, 2026 | Education, Grand Island, Residents

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Have you ever wondered what happens to a raindrop after it hits the ground? In our community, every drop counts — and understanding its journey helps explain why stormwater matters for both our rivers and lakes, and even our groundwater.

Let’s follow a raindrop as it moves through town.

 

Step 1: Hitting the Ground

A raindrop lands on your:

    • Roof

    • Driveway

    • Sidewalk

    • Parking lot
    • Lawn
    • Garden

If it lands on permeable ground, like a garden or lawn, some water will soak into the soil. But if it lands on impervious surfaces — concrete, asphalt, or compacted soil — the water can’t soak in. It begins to flow downhill. As it moves, it picks up anything it can carry: dirt, pet waste, oil, leaves, fertilizers, and trash.

Step 2: Into the Stormwater System

After leaving your property, our raindrop enters the stormwater infrastructure:

  • Curbs, gutters, and ditches collect runoff from pavement

  • Storm drains and inlets move runoff to underground pipes

  • Underground pipes move runoff away from homes and businesses

  • Runoff is discharged into rivers on the outskirts of town
        • Moore’s Creek to the west
        • Silver Creek to the north
        • Warm Slough to the east
        • Wood River to the south
  • These rivers all connect to the Platte River and to groundwater

This system is designed to move water away quickly to prevent flooding.

But wait! Unlike wastewater from sinks and toilets, stormwater runoff is not treated! That means everything picked up along the way (bacteria, lawn chemicals, automotive chemicals, trash) is delivered directly into nearby our waterways (Moore’s Creek, Silver Creek, Warm Slough, Wood River) — all of which eventually feed into the Platte River.

In our area, the Platte River is directly connected to groundwater. This means anything carried by stormwater has the potential to affect both surface water and groundwater (drinking water) quality.

Step 3: Through Lakes and Wetlands

Some stormwater flows into local lakes and sand pits before reaching the rivers. Many of our lakes are connected to stormwater infrastructure, which means:

  • Sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants can accumulate in our waterbodies and on the lake bed

  • Lawn chemicals and yard waste help algae to bloom and grow. Excessive algae reduces oxygen and blocks light for fish and other aquatic life

  • Sediment buildup on lake beds reduces the amount of space available for water. During heavy rain, our system becomes overwhelmed faster.
  • Trash moves through storm pipes into our lakes, reducing water quality.

  • Water clarity and recreational quality can decline

Lakes and wetlands provide natural water treatment – our rain drop is forced to slow down when it reaches a lake. Anything heavy that raindrop may carry has the opportunity to settle out. Healthy plants along the edges of lakes slow the water further – root systems use up lawn chemicals. Wetlands act as natural water filtration systems. These systems can can only do so much when stormwater is overloaded with debris or chemicals.

Step 4: Into the River and Groundwater

After moving through storm pipes, lakes, sand pits, wetlands, and streams the raindrop reaches the Platte River, still carrying everything from upstream surfaces. From there, the water either:

  • Flows downstream to other communities – small towns and eventually Lincoln and Omaha

  • Recharges groundwater

        • provides drinking water

        • recirculates into to rivers and lakes

This is why local stormwater management is critical. Pollutants don’t just stay near where they started — they move throughout the entire watershed and can affect drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat.

 

How You Can Help Keep Your Raindrops Clean

While it might feel like one raindrop doesn’t make a difference, every action adds up. Here’s what residents can do to reduce pollution in stormwater:

  • Pick up pet waste promptly and dispose of it properly

  • Sweep up debris, don’t hose sidewalks and driveways into the street

  • Minimize fertilizers and pesticides, especially before rain

        • Have your soil tested so you are only giving it the nutrients it needs
        • Read the container and apply lawn chemicals as directed

  • Plant native vegetation in your garden, where water flows across your property to slow runoff and filter pollutants

        • Advocate for native vegetation in public greenspaces, near lakes, and along streams 

  • Keep storm drains clear of leaves, trash, and debris

When everyone pitches in, our raindrops stay clean from our streets to the Platte River and beyond — helping protect both surface water and groundwater.

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