Adopt a Waterway

Southern Utah waterways have become polluted with trash and debris. This, along with stormwater runoff, has created a negative impact on our water resources and animal habitats. Rain washes trash from streets into the storm drainage system that leads directly to ponds, streams and lakes. Sometimes people dump trash directly into waterways on purpose. Trash makes our streams and lakes look terrible and harms aquatic habitat. Chemicals that may be in the trash can also degrade water quality. Removal of trash is one of the many ways to help reduce pollution. 

Adopt a Waterway volunteers have fun exploring local streams and feel great knowing they are helping the environment. It can be a great opportunity to teach environmental stewardship to children or a great team-building and community service activity for businesses, civic groups, and neighborhood groups. 

The Adopt a Waterway Program is a program that facilitates the monitoring, clean up, and enhancement of stream/river segments of Southern Utah and is open to individuals and organizations interested in helping the environment. To participate in the Adopt a Waterway program, volunteers will register to clean up a stream segment at least two times a year for a two year period. Once a group has achieved their first cleanup event, the group qualifies to have their name on an Adopt a Waterway trail sign, in addition to recognition in marketing materials and on the website! The information below can help you with the next steps for adopting a stream.