I haven't seen this posted here so I thought I would send the link. This is a very nice search tool that you can view any river/creek/stream and see what the health of it is. You can also see action plans and other data.
http://watersgeo.epa...mywaterway.html
New EPA Tool
Started by
Guest_jblaylock_*
, Jan 08 2013 01:47 PM
8 replies to this topic
#3
Guest_fundulus_*
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Posted 09 January 2013 - 09:59 AM
A surprising number of streams make lists like this because of elevated E. coli or turbidity. The Flint River east of Huntsville, AL, is a high-diversity river that usually has clear water, but is still listed by EPA for too many episodes of elevated turbidity caused by sloppy farmer upstream, along with the spread of instant suburbia.
#4
Guest_gerald_*
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Posted 09 January 2013 - 12:26 PM
Some of the "stream health" monitoring criteria used, like E.coli, are mainly for assessing health risks to humans and not as relevant to fish and invert health. And then there's plenty of un-monitored and un-recognized pollutants that are far more damaging to stream ecosystem health. For example, water hydrant flushing in headwater streams may be infrequent, but can quickly kill most gill-breathing critters if the flushed volume is a large percentage of the stream flow. Also, pollutants in the sediment (metals, petroleum, synthetic organics) that are missed in stream water samples.
#5
Guest_fundulus_*
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Posted 09 January 2013 - 12:40 PM
E. coli from farms is a useful indicator, and confirmer, of sedimentation and eutrophication processes since it's a marker of a large volume of cow/pig/poultry poop hitting the streams. The Flint River contributes 50% of the surface water supply for Huntsville, AL's, drinking water so that's of some interest too, both directly and a good reason not to poop in the river if anyone needed one. A seasonal problem we're noticing now is the dumping of deer carcasses in to the river at bridge crossings. I'm convinced it's a redneck religious practice closely related to executing your unwanted dogs riverside and leaving the bodies. At least the catfish like it, I'd guess.
#6
Guest_Kanus_*
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Posted 09 January 2013 - 03:48 PM
I once took a friend of mine to a beautiful little headwaters stream to collect some data for a project she was working on. As soon as we opened the car doors we noticed a horrific smell. After convincing her it was worth it, we started working the stream and noticed after we were splashing around a bit tiny white floating particles everywhere. Maggots. Thousands of maggots. We quickly discovered an open garbage bag full of deer entrails and assorted parts laying halfway in the water. We caught a few green sunfish so engorged on maggots they were the shape of ballon mollies. I would have rated the stream as pretty polluted that day. Not to derail the thread, but I had to share. I suspect this happens anywhere deer hunting is a big thing.
#9
Guest_BenCantrell_*
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Posted 10 January 2013 - 07:05 PM
Friend of mine who goes salmon fishing in Lake Michigan several times a week tosses the fish carcasses (which can be enormous) in the woods behind his house. The nearest stream is probably 500 yards away. He said he always assumed raccoons came and picked them clean, but a few minutes after tossing some back there I looked up to see 4 or 5 vultures circling over head. Problem solved!
That EPA website is great. I just learned that the creek I grew up playing in has a name! I always figured it was some unnamed creek that no one ever payed attention to.
That EPA website is great. I just learned that the creek I grew up playing in has a name! I always figured it was some unnamed creek that no one ever payed attention to.
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