The City of Twin Falls is asking residents to remove leaves and debris from street gutters in order to help prevent clogged storm drains and localized flooding when snow and precipitation arrives.
It’s not necessary to remove all leaves and debris, but residents can help by ensuring that leaves are not accumulating along street gutters and around storm drains. Raking out street gutters is sufficient and removing these leaves can help the stormwater system channel water away and prevent flooding. Please do not attempt to remove any storm drain grates or covers.
City stormwater drains are built to mitigate flooding by pulling stormwater away from city streets and into water retention basins or canals. Blocked stormwater drains can result in localized or widespread flooding.
These water retention basins, which also serve as public areas when dry, are not safe to swim or play in because it is water collected from city streets. The water retention basins allow storm water to seep into the ground and overflow is sent into the canal system that discharges into the Rock Creek and Snake River Canyons.
When leaves fall in autumn they often combine with dirt and other debris and clog the storm drains. To help prevent this, the City uses street sweepers and work crews to remove as much debris from heavily effected areas as possible. But the community can help by removing leaves from their property before they blow into streets or gutters.
City Utility customers may place bagged leaves besides their trash bins for disposal on their regular pickup day at not additional cost.