Keeping Ohio's waterways healthy

GERMANTOWN, Ohio (WDTN) - Many of the Miami Valley's waterways are already some of the cleanest in the state.  But there are still some things you can do to keep them that way.

Slowly flowing through Germantown Metropark lies Twin Creek.  For 47 miles it snakes around the landscape providing so many opportunities for people to enjoy it.  

Doug Horvath, Naturalist with the Five Rivers Metropark "It's our legacy we don't have mountains or oceans here in ohio but what makes it so special is these rivers and creeks."

Horvath's passion is shared along the banks of the creek.   Here people come to fish, watch the wildlife and it acts as a playground for kids.   Sometimes turning over a random rock nets a big find.  

In the creek lies flies and other critters are under rocks which is an indication of the health of the water.  The critters act as an organic test for water quality.  The presence of these creatures lets naturalists know there's good oxygen levels in the stream.  Good oxygen levels mean it's clean and healthy. 

It's clean and clear now but if too much rain rushes too fast natural erosion sends soil into the creek.  
Soil can clog it up and ruin the habitat.  But here in the Miami Valley watershed most of the rain is held in the landscape.  

Several organizations like the Five Rivers Metroparks, EPA and the Miami Conservancy District have made that possible.  But we still need to be aware of what we do in order to keep the waterways heathly

Emily Chilcoat Naturalist has a few ideas to help "Things like washing your car in the grass by doing that the grass will help all of the soap and nasty things from the car get into our water ways it acts like a filter."

Keeping impurities out of waterways means everyone can enjoy and relax in summer sun.