Activity Books Watershed Defenders Comic Book | Page 9

I dentify the P ossible S ources of P olluted R unoff
How many potential threats to clean
water can you identify between the
snow-capped mountains and the city
down below? Write a number next to
the threat and, using a separate piece
of paper, explain each threat.
Cars & Trucks
Automobiles and trucks create nu-
merous threats. Tires wear out. Ever
wonder where all the rubber goes?
Then there’s oil and exhaust. And
what about brake pads? They wear as
well, leaving metals on the ground.
Winter Roadway Management
When it snows, crews use sand, salt
or other chemicals to make travel
safer, but thos e materials can pol-
lute runoff. Even though it is natural,
sand can cloud water and create
sediment, harming fish and plants.
Farms & Ranches
We need to grow food. Farm and
ranch land can also work as a
natural filter, slowing runoff and
re-charging ground water supplies.
However, animal waste, misman-
agement or misuse of chemicals,
poor soil management or over graz-
ing can cause polluted runoff.
Construction & Soil Erosion
Naturally occurring or human-
caused erosion sends dirt into rivers
and lakes. Construction crews use
special techniques to try to keep
soil on site.
Recreation
Most everybody enjoys a day on
the lake or near a river, but litter and
oil from motor boats are sources of
pollution.
Mining & Logging
Mining and logging are important
industries. In Colorado, we have a
legacy of old sites from the early gold
and silver mines. As water moves
through these sites, heavy metals can
be carried into waterways.
Similar to farms and ranches, mis-
managed mines or logging opera-
tions can contribute to erosion and
runoff pollution.

Watershed Defenders produced by Colorado Foundation for Agriculture
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