The Chattanooga Creek flows about 23.5 miles from its origin in North West Georgia.  The Creek has been a dumping ground for industries for over 100 years.  Today, there are at least eighteen industries that release chemicals into the air or water that must be reported to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) located within the South Chattanooga area.  All of  these are located near parts of  Chattanooga Creek.  The creek has several unhealthy effects on South Chattanooga due to its toxic sediments and water.  One of the major effects the creek has is on Howard School of Academics and Technology.  When it rains, it floods.  The creek floods the practice football field and the water runs into the weight room at the bottom of the gym.  This prevents the team from practicing their normal drills.  After the contaminated water is drained into the soil, the soil is then contaminated with the same things that are in the creek.  The young people who play sports that involve the use of the field are exposed to  toxic substances and bacterial diseases.  Some of the athletes have complained about getting bumps and rashes after practicing.  The water that runs through the gym is also affected when it floods.  The water comes out a light brownish color, which prevents the students from using the water fountains and showers.  The people who take classes in the bottom of the gym cannot hold class after it has flooded for about a week, and this is a serious problem. The Chattanooga Creek needs an intensive amount of attention in order for all of these problems to be solved.  Cleaning the creek and making sure it stays clean is a major goal that needs to be achieved by the city of Chattanooga.