We can take water out of the lake and put new water in.

--Molly M., second grade

Conway Elementary School,

Mrs. LaForce's class

Clean up after your pets and dispose of waste in the garbage.

--Rayne Cameron, second grade

Children can help keep America's creeks and rivers clean. Here's how. Whenever trash comes out of houses, cars and garbage trucks, it will eventually go down a storm drain. It will wash up in a waterway. The trash can kill animals and plants in waterways. So the bottom line is never, ever litter.

--Grace H., fifth grade

Fredericksburg Christian School,

Mrs. Antosh's class

I would like to make a difference by cleaning the water. I will get a group of my friends and say, do you want to help make the water clean? If they say yes, then we will go out and make sure our water is clean.

--Sophia Scott, fifth grade

Battlefield Elementary School,

Ms. Decatur's class

What would you do if the storm drains were clogged? I would start by making sure no leaves are close to it. Also that no car oil gets in it. I would try to make the other people in the neighborhood try to keep things out of the storm drain by trying to enforce littering fines and setting up cameras. When you get people to help it might seem like nothing but it could change the fate for some lakes.

--Julius Colby, fifth grade

Kate Waller Barrett Elementary,

Mr. Stallone's class

You can keep rivers clean by picking up trash. Do not leave it in the water.

--Wesley, first grade

Rocky Run Elementary School,

Mrs. Williams' class

To help keep our rivers and creeks clear of summer debris we need to invent a strainer-type device that will hold back any debris from getting into our drains and water. As the leaves fall or get blown around a strainer-type wire placed over the drains will help prevent any blocking from happening. Also, putting rocks over the drains and around the edges of the creeks and rivers will also reduce debris from coming into the water. Keeping storm drains, rivers and creeks clean from debris helps prevent blockage from happening.

--Donny B., fourth grade

Mary Walter Elementary School,

Mrs. Baker's class

I would clean up liter to keep water ways clean.

--Rachel

Rocky Run Elementary School,

Miss Mangano's class

I can keep the rivers clean by saying go away rain, please go away, the rivers want to be clean today.

--Aliza W., first grade

Rocky Run Elementary School,

Mrs. Jennings' class