Published on June 23, 2023
Volunteers Needed to follow Summer Storms with RainSnap!
By Rebecca Reeves, Stormwater Education and Outreach Coordinator
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The proof will be in the photos. Are Providence green infra-structure systems functioning as designed? What structures are working well? Do others need improvement?
The Stormwater Innovation Center will be enlisting volunteers and citizen scientists this year to use a website called RainSnap and upload photos and videos of stormwater and green infrastructure during rain events around the Providence metro area.
The purpose is to help communities assess the functionality of these systems, which are designed to reduce flooding and filter polluted stormwater. These assessments can be used to improve the design and maintenance of green infrastructure, ultimately leading to better water quality and more climate-resilient communities.
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Monitoring green infrastructure in action provides valuable data on how much water is entering these systems, or if water is bypassing them and flowing directly into storm drains and entering our water-ways unfiltered. As climate change continues to impact Rhode Island with heavier storms and urban areas remain vulnerable to flooding, the importance of properly functioning green infrastructure becomes increasingly important.
RainSnap is currently being developed with the help of consultant Bruce Hooke, and volunteer recruitment will commence this spring. We are looking for residents who live near the selected green infrastructure sites, with easy access during or shortly after storm events. Involving community members in stormwater management work is part of sustainable climate resiliency – this is work that impacts us all.
If you are interested in following the rain and volunteering with the Stormwater Innovation Center on the RainSnap initiative, please reach out to Stormwater Education and Outreach Coordinator Rebecca Reeves at rreeves@asri.org.
