Taylor Hopkins
LocalOzarks New Group Photojournalist

The need to “love your water” is gaining visual attention. A local project with James River Basin Partnership and the City of Springfield Stormwater Engineering Division aims to educate the public that storm drains lead to our rivers.

Both organizations chose from submissions of artists to paint images on storm drains. Eleven muralists (two sharing one project) were chosen to create visual reminders that we are connected to nearby rivers and creeks.

The 11 artists chosen for the 10 storm drains this year are: Travis Burbee, Cassie Brasher,  Kayla Campbell,  Michele A. Ellison, Laura Lynch, Samantha Lowther, Joshua O’Byrne & Jessica West, Kat Philbin, Jeanene Turney, and Anthony Weaver.

Travis Burbee created, “A mother nature type woman.  She has hair that looks like water flowing into the drain. In her hair are river animals and objects we use in relation with the river.” Travis uses this imagery to illustrate that the water going into the storm drains affects our rivers, wildlife and our lives as well.

Another artist, Cassie Brasher, set out to portray the relation of our affect on water and the future generation’s use of it. She wrote her design was, “A young kid playing in the water because it shows how our children can enjoy the rivers and lakes if we don’t destroy them. If you love your kids you should love the water that we are leaving for them.”

Jessica West and partner Josh O’Byrne worked together on their double storm drain. “I enjoyed the idea of using the double drain and I wanted to incorporate hands into the piece, and I knew I wanted the hands to come out of the storm drain. My partner and I got together and we used both of our ideas to come up with a unique piece with the water forming a heart and then flowing into the storm drain.”

Most of the storm drains involved this year lead to Fassnight Creek, Jordan Creek and Galloway Creek. The creeks drain into waterways south to the James River, also Table Rock Lake, or Pea Ridge creek that drains into the Sac River.

When storm water drains to our waterways, it picks up the trash in our yards, roadways, parking lots and sidewalks. There are many things you can do to help keep our storm water clean, and as a result our rivers and lakes will become cleaner. You can collect your rainwater, build a rain garden, get your soil tested and a 4-year nutrient management plan written, pick-up pet waste, keep lawn clippings out of the street, and make sure your vehicle is in good working order.

An upcoming event, River Rescue Litter Pickup by Day!, to help gain awareness for our water quality is the DamJam Downtown Springfield and Crawdad Boil by Night!!!!! Which will feature live music from Honkey Suckle, Deep Fried Squirrel, The Shotgun Brothers Band, Uncle Fudd and Big Damn Heros.

Spread the word: “Water headed down the storm drains leads straight to our rivers!”