Kid's Stormwater Information

What is stormwater runoff? Stormwater runoff occurs when rain does not soak into the ground and travels across bare earth, driveways, sidewalks and streets to the nearest storm drain inlet. A storm drain then transports the stormwater through pipes that discharge into lakes, creeks, rivers, and the ocean. Pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, bacteria, trash, debris, and household hazardous waste can be picked up by stormwater runoff and if we are not careful, pollution can end up in our water. What can you do to help? Click on the Before & After Stormwater Bookmark and learn 10 things you can do at home to help eliminate stormwater pollution.

Have you seen the City’s Storm Drain Curb Maker? The City installed the storm drain curb marker “No Dumping, Drains to River” on each storm drain to help remind us to never dump anything down the storm drain.

Activities 

• California Coastal Commission - California Coastal Creature Word Search

 California Coast Commission's California Beach Treasure Hunt

• EPA’s Take the Stormwater Runoff Challenge Puzzle

• Santa Barbara County Team H20 Activity Book

• USGS – The Water Cycle

• USGS -The Water Cycle for Kids

• USGS - Interactive Water Cycle Diagram for Kids (Beginner)

• USGS - Interactive Water Cycle Diagram for Kids (Intermediate)

• USGS - Interactive Water Cycle Diagram for Kids (Advanced)

Bookmarks 

• Before & After Stormwater Bookmark (Single)

• Before & After Stormwater Bookmark (Multiple)

Rainfall & Reservoir Data

Santa Barbara County Flood Control - Rainfall & Reservoir Information

Webcams

Channel Islands Live Anacapa Island Webcam

Channel Islands Live Ocean Webcam

Lake Cachuma Webcam

Additional Resources

California Coastal Commission - Public Education Just for Fun

Central Coast RWQCB - Stormwater for Kids

EPA - Environmental Kids Club - Water

EPA - Polluted Runoff: Nonpoint Source Pollution Resources for Students and Educators

Santa Barbara County Project Clean Water - Kids Page

USGS - Water Science for Schools