Athens-Clarke County Stormwater Geocache: “Water Logged”
‘Water Logged’ is a Geotrail created by Athens-Clarke County Stormwater Department that shows how rainwater gets from our streets to our streams.
Stormwater runoff is the number one source of water pollution in the United States. When rain falls on impervious surfaces, such as rooftops, roads, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways, instead of being absorbed by the ground, it flows into storm drains and from there flows directly into nearby streams. In Athens-Clarke County, stormwater is not treated before it enters our streams, which means that anything stormwater encounters as it flows along impervious surfaces could end up polluting our streams, including: trash, debris, sediment, chemicals, fertilizers, dog waste, soaps, and car oil.
The geocaches you are about to discover are placed near various methods used to improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollution. These methods help absorb, slow, or treat runoff before it reaches our streams.
This cache was placed with the permission of the University of Georgia.
Tanyard Creek flows through the heart of Athens-Clarke County. It goes through UGA and then is piped underneath Sanford Stadium. You’ll notice most of its banks are covered with rock or cement, or armored. Armoring protects the stream banks from erosion. Tanyard Creek experienced intense erosion in the past due to the development of the surrounding area. Development involves roads, buildings, and sidewalks that don’t absorb water, sending it flying down into the stream and eroding the soil on the stream banks.