Hi Defender, I’m Ripple!

Let’s dive into the issue together.

This mission companion turns the finished magazine into a digital platform. We can explore missions, maps, and activities together while keeping the issue itself at the center.

What do you want to do?

Mission Map

Follow the flow through this issue.

Choose a mission to jump in, Defender!

Earn Your Badge!

Complete all missions to get your Stormwater Defender badge!

Read the Issue

Follow the flow through this issue.

What Is Stormwater?

Rain has a journey — and what it carries matters.

RAIN

ROOFS & ROADS

STREETS & SIDEWALKS

STORM DRAIN

CREEKS, RIVERS & WETLANDS

Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that flows over the ground. Some water soaks into soil, but a lot of it travels over hard surfaces like roads, driveways, parking lots, sidewalks, rooftops, and playgrounds.

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Watch the video!

Scan the QR code to watch The Journey of Stormwater.

What Is Stormwater?

Runoff may not sound like a problem until you realize stormwater often carries more than water. If there is litter on the ground, stormwater can move it. If a car leaks oil, stormwater can carry it. If someone washes soap into the street, stormwater can take that too.

Why It Matters

Stormwater can carry pollution from streets and hard surfaces into nearby waterways.

Runoff Forms

Water moving across the ground is often called runoff.

Pollution Travels

Runoff can carry trash, chemicals, soil, and waste.

Did You Know?

Stormwater does not always go to a treatment plant first.

RIPPLE

Let’s get started! Hear more about stormwater, try an experiment, or ask for a hint.

For Grown-Up Water Heroes

Teacher and family support layer

This layer mirrors the purpose of the magazine’s grown-up page and helps position the companion for classrooms, families, municipalities, outreach, and youth programs.

For Educators

Support science and watershed lessons with short extensions.

For Parents

Read together at home and talk about where rain goes nearby.

For MS4s

Use as a kid-friendly outreach piece families can keep and revisit.

For Youth Programs

Use in camps, clubs, libraries, and events.