Avoid storm drains when raking leaves

  • Published
  • By 341st Civil Engineer Squadron environmental element
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The fall colors are certainly present in Montana this year.

Here at Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Great Falls area we have seen brilliant orange, red, and mustard. Many of us are out raking leaves. Just be mindful where you rake them.
 
It can be tempting to rake leaves to the street and assume they will wash away. Some people even take their leaves all the way to the nearest storm drain.

The bad news is storm drains provide no filters and no treatment. The storm drains on Malmstrom drain directly to the Missouri River. So those leaves (like anything that enters a storm drain) either wash directly into the Missouri River or end up clogging the storm drain system. 

Although leaves seem natural enough, large quantities don't belong in our rivers and streams.

So, when you rake leaves, please keep in mind: You can bag your leaves but never rake leaves or any lawn debris onto a paved surface or toward a storm drain.