Group encouraging stormwater runoff projects, holding contest during Maple Leaf parade

The Coulee Region has had more than its share of rain and flooding over the last couple of months.

That’s one reason why the La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group is encouraging families and businesses to find ways of keeping rainwater out of the storm sewer system.

“Because it all eventually leads to the Mississippi River, to the La Crosse River, to the Black River, Lake Onalaska,” Amy Smith, from New Ground Incorporated, said. “All the waterways and tributaries that surround us.”

Smith is trying to encourage the use of rain gardens or rain barrels to prevent storm runoff. She says homeowners can develop their own rain gardens, based on where water tends to collect during storms:

“People know where water pools on their property,” Smith said. “After a big rain it always seems to go in a certain spot. Wherever that particular spot is, that’s the best place to put a rain garden because it naturally goes that way, anyways.”

Four water management plans are in the running for plants and landscaping materials worth $700. People viewing the Maple Leaf Parade on Saturday will vote for their favorites on posters being carried in the parade.

The forecast for Saturday’s parade is for dry weather.