The First 500

After mapping my 500th storm water inlet yesterday, I decided it was time to share the whimsical experience of truly getting to know these various storm drains and waterconveyances.  So here is Charles, a Campbell Station Road native who sports a structural marker noting that he drains directly to the creek.

This guy was a hoot.  The Uncle Miltie of drainage systems.

With 500 inlets mapped and plenty more to go I am feeling pretty great about the progress I have been able to make so far.  I must say that I worried a bit when I first started this project as the GIS mapping requires a sense of direction, visual awareness, and enduring memory.  So in general...none of the skills I would consider myself proficient at.  I must say that I have done pretty well and have yet to end up in Kentucky by accident which seemed like a possibility when I first started.  In fact I am becoming quite familiar with all of Farragut.  I don't know why one might need to know every corner in the parking lot of the local Wendy's, but hey, at least it is something I can be proud of considering that I've been known to get lost in the neighborhood I lived in for twenty-two years back in North Carolina.

This map shows the quadrants in which the town has been divided for the purpose of inlet mapping.  Quadrant 1 is the area that is charged with being mapped first.

The areas of quadrant 1 that are highlighted in green have had their storm water inlets mapped...by me!

Work isn't all about being in the Wendy's parking lot though.  Soon I will get to dive into the Adopt-a-Stream program which I am really excited about.  Interacting with volunteers in the National Civilian Community Corps through sponsors like Habitat for Humanity was always one of my favorite things about service work.  So here's to another great week of storm drains and trainings!