Rock Creek Watershed Alliance

Creek Cleanup Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 9AM - 1PM       Herbert Taylor Park entrance

Our Mission

The Rock Creek Watershed Alliance is a coalition of community stakeholders dedicated to the restoration and preservation of the ecological balance and beauty of Rock Creek, its tributaries and adjacent parks. 

The RCWA holds annual meetings and creek cleanups, and provides opportunities to learn about creek wildlife and protection.  The group implements park restoration projects and monitors the effects of stormwater runoff and other issues affecting the creek and park.

Where is Rock Creek?

Rock Creek is located in the northeast section of Atlanta, Georgia.  It is about two miles long.  It begins behind Callanwolde Arts Center, flows north under Stillwood and Amsterdam Avenues, runs behind the Briarcliff Campus of Emory University, crosses under University Drive and East Rock Springs Road, and runs through the Daniel Johnson Nature Preserve and Herbert Taylor Park, where it flows into South Fork Peachtree Creek.

The watershed drains the area between Briarcliff Road, N. Highland Avenue, and Johnson Road, and includes parts of the Virginia-Highland, Briarwood Hills, Druid Hills, and Morningside neighborhoods.

How's the creek doing?

For 3 years, RCWA monitored water quality with chemical and biological testing.  Chemical contamination of the creek has generally been low, but Rock Creek does not have the full range of insects and small creatures of a healthy creek.  Why not?

Experts say the likely cause is stormwater runoff.  The loss of tree canopy and greenspace to development causes rainwater to flow rapidly into the creek rather than soaking into the ground slowly as nature intended.  When it rains, storm surges scour the creek banks.  Banks erode, trees fall into the creek, and habitat is swept away.  Heavy flows of silt into the creek make it impossible for some species to survive.  Fish and frog populations are decimated, impacting birds and mammals up the food chain.

How can you help?

1.  Reduce water runoff from your property:

• Channel downspouts to deliver water to the earth (not directly to pavement and storm sewers), where it can soak in slowly.
• Minimize impervious surfaces such as pavement and rooftops. 
• Use pervious paving technology. 
• Maximize greenspace that can absorb water into the earth. 
• Plant trees. 

2.  Keep trash off the streets – rain will wash it into the creek.

3.  Never dump paint, oil, or other contaminants into storm drains.

4.  Be sure mud or silt does not flow off your property.

5.  Report silt flows from construction sites to authorities:

• City of Atlanta:    404-330-6990
• Unincorporated DeKalb County:    404-371-4913
• Georgia EPD:    800-241-4113  or  404-362-2671

6.  Advocate responsible development that preserves riparian corridors and environmentally sensitive sites, and allows no increased runoff.

7.  Come to a creek cleanup or members’ meeting.

8.  Join RCWA.  New members are welcome. 

Membership

Individual:  $10 per year

     Family:  $20 per year

Corporate:  $40 per year

Please send membership dues, along with name, address, phone, and email info, to:

Founded in 1999, the Rock Creek Watershed Alliance is a Georgia non-profit corporation.  Dues are used to support creek monitoring, park restoration, public awareness and education.