Activity Book Stormwater

The City of Johnson City

Activity Book

JC and friends learn about stormwater

Hi, friend !

This book is for

, (Name)

a resident of Johnson City in

grade at (Number)

school.

(Name of school)

This is me, JC.

Draw a picture of you.

3

Stormwater Stormwater is water from rain and melted snow that flows off hard surfaces like parking lots and rooftops. Stormwater then flows into our local waterways, which are a very important part of our ecosystem.

Public Works manages stormwater within the city by planning and maintenance infrastructure, monitoring water quality, and conducting educational activities.

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Everything that enters the Johnson City storm sewer system is sent directly back into the streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, or other waterways we use for swimming, fishing, and drinking water.

Please help keep our waterways clean for JC’s many friends ­­— which include us!

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Connect with Stormwater JC connects with the City’s stormwater program every day, and so do you.

Put a check mark next to the ways you interact with stormwater.

Wash a car

Pick up after your pet

Plant a garden

Go to King Commons

Watch rain fall to the ground

Recycle a plastic bottle

Put leaves in a pile Skip stones in a river Pick up litter Plant a tree Play in a park

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Word Search - Find the pollutants Stormwater G R E A S E D F S Z T X S P Z U L I T T E R U L X J NO T S R P K UM V F E M E QM AWZ P B G J P N F L S H AM P OO G L R Z AW Y L C F Y V HW X QW A C I A L D U M C X E V D V A S S N C H EM I C A L S I P S SM T O I L I J D A N Y R R T V F Q I F E K T F S X S T D EWO Z H C R P D T R A S H Litter Litter Paint Fluids Grass Waste Cans

Leaves Shampoo Leaves Chemicals Grass Trash Soap Soap

Chemicals

Waste Plastic Grease Dirt Trash Plastic Dirt Fuel

Fluids Cans Oil Grease Paint Oil Fuel Poo

®

Build your own custom worksheet at education.com/worksheet-generator © 2007 - 2025 Education.com

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Pollution Pollution makes water dirty and yucky for fish and animals that live there.

With your help, we can keep the water clean so everyone can be happy and healthy!

Can you find these examples of pollutants in the picture on the right?

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Yard Waste

Chemical Waste

Household Waste

(grass clippings & tree debris)

(fertilizers & herbicides)

(paint & old medications)

Pet Waste

Car Waste

Litter Waste

(dog poo & cat litter)

(gas, oil, & car washing soap)

(soda cans & plastic bottles)

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Watersheds Imagine you are standing at the top of a mountain in Tennessee. When rain falls, it gathers around your feet. Now, watch closely! See how the rain starts to trickle down, forming tiny streams? These streams join together, creating bigger rivers that wind their way through the landscape until they reach the ocean.

Everything that happens on land around rivers and streams can affect the water in them. Water can become dirty or polluted when people play and work outside, operate big machines, litter, or use too many chemicals on their grass.

Headwaters Confluence Rain Tributary Forest

Farmland

Industrial Mouth of River Ocean

Aquifer/ Groundwater Johnson City

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Watersheds Tennessee is a land of beautiful mountains, lush forests, and winding rivers. These areas are connected through watersheds. Think of watersheds as big, invisible puzzle pieces that fit together to form the whole picture of Tennessee’s landscape.

Below, you will see Tennessee watersheds identified by different colors. The white dot represents Johnson City.

Johnson City is located within the Upper Tennessee River Watershed, part of the larger Tennessee Watershed. These Appalachian headwaters flow through the state, making their way to the Ohio River and eventually to the Mississippi River.

There are nearly 200 miles of rivers in the Upper Tennessee River Watershed, including the Watauga River, Nolichucky River, and French Broad River.

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Where the rain goes

...

Rain falls from the sky, drip-drop, Frogs in rivers and streams jump and hop.

A tributary joins the flow, Into bigger rivers they go.

Through the farmland green and wide, Where crops grow tall and animals hide.

Past industrial towns with factories neat, Where busy workers make things complete.

To the ocean vast and deep, Where many fish and treasures sleep.

At the confluence, rivers meet, Joining forces, strong and sweet.

In the forest tall and green, Trees and plants create a scene.

Deep below, an aquifer hides, Storing water on the inside.

Groundwater beneath our feet, Keeps the Earth so cool and neat.

Nature's wonders, big and small, We love and cherish them all.

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Watersheds are nature’s superheroes! They provide us with clean water to drink, support a variety of plants and animals, and offer endless opportunities for outdoor adventures. By taking care of our watersheds, we can create a healthy environment for everyone to enjoy!

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Watersheds - Schools Do you know your school’s watershed address? The colors show what creeks make up the watershed. Can you identify your school’s watershed within the City of Johnson City?

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Watersheds - Activity The rain will follow JC through the maze to the stream. Lead the way!

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Definitions There are some really big words in this activity book. Below you will find their definitions.

Aquifer Car Waste

Dirty liquids that spill from cars.

Confluence

The place where two rivers come together.

Farmland

Land where farmers grow food and raise animals.

Forest

A large area filled with lots of trees and plants.

Groundwater

Water that is found under the ground.

Headwaters

The source of a stream make up the headwaters.

Household Waste Industrial Infrastructure

Items left behind from our homes and daily activities.

Areas and activities that have to do with making products in factories.

A publicly owned and maintained “underlying structure,” which includes roads, bridges, dams, water, and sewer systems.

Litter

Trash that is carelessly thrown out or left behind.

Metal Cans

Aluminum or steel containers for drinks and food.

Ocean

A huge body of water that covers most of the Earth.

Pet Waste

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An underground area where water is stored.

Animal poo that should be picked up and thrown away.

Rain

Water that falls from clouds in the sky as tiny drops.

Stormwater

Water from rain and snow that flows off hard surfaces.

Storm Sewer System

Pipes that carry stormwater to our waterways

Tributary

A smaller stream or river that flows into a bigger river.

Wetlands

Wet areas with plants and water where frogs live.

Yard Waste

Grass, leaves, and garden debris gathered on the ground.

Draw yourself next to JC and color in the image.

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Public Works - Stormwater Hey, kids! Did you know you can help keep our waterways clean?

Here are a few ideas: • Minimize household waste, and participate in disposal and recycling programs.

• Pick up after your dog and do not put pet waste on the ground from your inside pets.

• With your guardian’s help, ensure proper disposal of all trash, waste, debris, and chemicals.

• Start a compost pile with yard waste using leaves and grass. Do not dump them in storm drains or waterways.

• Volunteer with local groups to clean up and protect local waterways.

• Raise awareness by sharing this activity book with friends and family.

And, if you have any ideas to make our waterways cleaner, you can share them too! Your ideas can help make a big difference!

To learn more about stormwater, ask your guardians to contact the Public Works Stormwater Division at 423.975.2700.

AnswersStormwater G R E A S E D F S Z T X S P Z U L I T T E R U L X J NO T S R P K UM V F E M E QM AWZ P B G J P N F L S H AM P OO G L R Z AW Y L C F Y V HW X QW A C I A L D U M C X E V D V A S S N C H EM I C A L S I P S SM T O I L I J D A N Y R R T V F Q I F E K T F S X S T D EWO Z H C R P D T R A S H Chemicals

Shampoo

Plastic

Cans

Litter

Leaves

Grease

Oil

Fluids

Grass

Trash

Paint

Congratulations This

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION IS HEREBY AWARDED TO

(Stormwater Hero)

The City of Johnson City Stormwater Activity Book, 2025 Published by the City of Johnson City Communications & Marketing Department Illustrated by Public Information Specialist Sarah Nobles Map courtesy of Geospatial Coordinator Will Lasley Subject provided by Environmental Specialist Theresa Carter