Protecting Our Watersheds: How Small Actions Keep the Tennessee River Clean

When you toss a piece of trash into a storm drain, where does it go? Many people don’t realize that stormwater runoff doesn’t get filtered—it flows directly into our local creeks, streams, and eventually, the Tennessee River. That means anything that washes down our streets—plastic, chemicals, litter—can harm the water we drink, the fish we catch, and the wildlife that calls these waters home.

At Keep the Shoals Beautiful, we’re launching a new project to raise awareness about the importance of keeping our watersheds clean. We’ll be painting red-eared slider turtles on some select storm drains throughout Florence (and hopefully all of The Shoals, soon) to remind everyone that what goes into these drains ends up in our waterways. It’s a small but powerful way to connect people to the environment around them—and we need your help to spread the word.

What Is a Watershed?

A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains to a common body—whether that’s a creek, river, or lake. Here in The Shoals, everything eventually leads to the Tennessee River. When it rains, stormwater carries debris, motor oil, lawn fertilizers, trash, etc. into the nearest storm drain, which then empties directly into our waterways without treatment.

This pollution doesn’t just make our water look bad—it threatens the health of fish, turtles, and other aquatic life.

Why Red-Eared Sliders?

If you’ve ever walked along the banks of the Tennessee River or local creeks, you’ve probably seen a red-eared slider basking on a rock or log. These turtles are a key part of our local ecosystem, helping to keep aquatic environments balanced. But like many species, they’re vulnerable to pollution.

When trash clogs up creeks, it makes it harder for turtles and other wildlife to thrive. Plastic waste can be mistaken for food, leading to illness or death. Chemical runoff from fertilizers can introduce excess nitrogen and phosphorus into our waterways, which can disrupt aquatic ecosystems. One major issue is that these chemicals can cause oxygen depletion, leading to 'dead zones' where fish and other aquatic life struggle to survive. Additionally, pesticide runoff can be toxic to amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, affecting their growth and reproduction. By using the red-eared slider as a symbol, we hope to remind our community that keeping our waters clean protects all the creatures that depend on them—including us.

How You Can Help

Keeping our waters clean starts with small, everyday actions. Here’s what you can do to make a difference:

• Don’t litter! Always dispose of trash properly and pick up any litter you see.

• Be mindful of chemicals. Use eco-friendly lawn care products and never pour oil, paint, or household chemicals down drains.

• Join a cleanup event. We organize local cleanups throughout the year to remove litter from our waterways—check out our upcoming events below!

• Spread the word. Tell your friends and family why storm drain pollution matters, and encourage them to take action too.

Upcoming Cleanup Events

We’ll be hosting several cleanup events in the coming months to help keep our watersheds clean. Mark your calendar and come join us!

📅 3/22/2025 – Location: Ford City, AL

📅 4/12/2025 – Location: St. Florian, AL

📅 4/19/2025 – Location: Sheffield, AL

📅 4/25/2025 – Location: Northwest Shoals Community College, Muscle Shoals, AL

📅 5/3/2025 – Location: Sheffield, AL (Shoals Earth Day Festival)

Check out the 'Keep the Shoals Beautiful' link below for exact meeting times and locations.

Want to get involved? Visit Keep the Shoals Beautiful or follow The Shoals Backyard for updates on cleanup events, conservation efforts, and ways to protect our local environment.

Together, we can make a difference—one storm drain, one turtle, and one piece of trash at a time.