Olentangy Water Trail in Columbus
In late 2007, the Columbus City Council passed a resolution to designate a Water Trail on the Olentangy River from Kenney Park to the confluence with the Scioto River. Council Member Priscilla Tyson sponsored the resolution.
The creation of a Water Trail has long been one of FLOW's priorities because it will increase recreational opportunities along the river and allow the residents of Central Ohio to experience the natural beauty and historic sites of the Olentangy. Plans include four to five public access points for canoes and kayaks as well as warning signs and portage trails around hazardous lowhead dams.
FLOW staff and volunteers have teamed up with the Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks to seek funding for the improvements and to create a map (PDF) and brochure that will be available to the public. A formal dedication ceremony is anticipated later this year; be on the look out for details.
Rush Run Streamside Restoration Project
On Earth Day, 20 volunteers worked at the streamside restoration site at Park Boulevard Park in Worthington to remove additional bush honeysuckle from the banks of Rush Run. FLOW has committed to providing on-going removal of invasive plants from this site, so please be on the look out for more volunteer opportunities. Also, be sure to visit the site to check out our new sign and see the native wildflowers in bloom. |
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Clean Ohio Campaign
FLOW has endorsed the Clean Ohio Campaign. For more information about how you can support this important effort, please see www.cleanohio.org.
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is an attractive landscaped area planted with perennial native plants that don’t mind getting "wet feet." Built in a bowl shape, a rain garden helps to slow the rain water that comes from your downspout during a storm. The deep rooted plants then help the water to soak into the ground rather than running off into our streams and rivers. However, a rain garden is not a wetland and will not breed mosquitoes because it is designed to drain within a day or so after a rain storm.
Rain water runoff from roofs and pavement is one of the most vexing problems for our streams and rivers. The sheer volume and force of so much water running off at once can cause flooding and bank erosion and can contribute to combined sewer overflows. The rain water also sweeps pollutants such as fertilizers, pesticides, pet waste, motor oil, and trash into our streams.
Planting a rain garden may seem like a small thing, but you can make a big difference by slowing the water and allowing it to soak into the ground. Rain gardens also make good companions to rain barrels; you can simply divert the overflow from the barrel into the rain garden.
Franklin County Soil and Water District Rain Garden Programs
Rain Garden Manual for Homeowners (PDF) |
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Updates
Fifth Avenue Dam Update Many sections of the Olentangy River boast clean water, natural beauty, and abundant fish and wildlife. Unfortunately, that is not the case for a two-mile stretch near the OSU campus between Dodridge St. and Fifth Avenue.
In that area, the Fifth Avenue Dam impedes the natural flow of water, creating a stagnant pool that lacks sufficient oxygen to support many fish and insects. The dam also represents a safety hazard, as shown by the recent drowning of a young man who was sucked into the currents at the base of the dam. For those reasons, the Lower Olentangy Watershed Action Plan strongly recommends removal of the Fifth Avenue Dam.
Until recently, plans to remove the dam seemed to be moving ahead. The City of Columbus had committed $640,000 in EPA fine money to the project, and it appeared that the U.S. Congress would approve an additional $1.18 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to remove the dam. Unfortunately, the Army Corps funding did not make the final cut, putting the project indefinitely on hold until funding can be obtained.
Because funding remains uncertain, it will be important to let the City of Columbus that removing the Fifth Avenue Dam is a high priority for making the Olentangy River clean and safe! Please take a moment to send an email to Mayor Coleman’s Action Center to thank the Mayor for the progress that has been made to date and to ask him to take the next steps toward removal. (Note: Please remember
to type in your name at the bottom of the email.)
Having problems with the above email link?
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