Overflowing Banks

Overflowing Banks

Grand Rapids, Michigan (2013)

This photograph was taken during a 100-year flood that occurred in Grand Rapids, Michigan in April of 2013.  Heavy rainstorms for several days following spring snow melt made for intense storm water runoff in all the creeks, streams, and tributaries flowing into the Grand River.  Residents in the city worked tirelessly for several days to fill sandbags, which were used to prevent flooding in important locations throughout the downtown area. Urban storm water runoff, which leads to degraded watersheds, remains a major challenge for many American cities.