Free Press Staff

Burlington residents have been asked to adopt neighborhood storm drains to help prevent flooding.

In exchange for removing ice and debris and looking out for any illegal dumping, the so-called Drain Defenders will get a sticker and will be allowed to name the drain.

"Clogged storm drains are one of the leading causes of localized street flooding," the Department of Public Works wrote in a news release Thursday.

The program will relieve some of the responsibility borne by Burlington street maintenance workers, according to the city. Volunteers have been asked to alert the city if floods continue even when the drain is clear.

The city has mapped a sea of available drains, with an online sign-up form, at http://tinyurl.com/DrainMap.

About 10 drains had been adopted as of Thursday afternoon, tagged with names such as "Penelope," "The Famed Drain" and "Always Wright" — the last of which is under the personal care of Public Works Director Chapin Spencer.