Rebound in Water Quality Likely Due to Weed Harvester

/ Published in aquatic plant harvester, Uncategorized, water quality
Aquatic Weed Harvester
The head of Three Mile Harbor, and Georgica, Wainscott, and Hook Ponds are among the water bodies that continued to be compromised by harmful algal blooms or high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. Georgica Pond’s water quality improved last year, Dr. Gobler told the trustees, which he said was likely the result of the aquatic

Water in Potomac Getting Better But Still Not Clean

/ Published in Uncategorized, water quality
Ducks and Duckweed
A new report says some levels of pollution are down in the Potomac River, but cautioned that the once-troubled waterway isn’t out the woods yet. Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments analyzed data collected between 1985 and 2016 and found that “water quality improvements have reduced pollution significantly.” MWCOG’s 27-page report said two substances in particular

Salt in Water Sources Becoming Worrisome

/ Published in News, water quality, water resources
Spreading Salt on Snow Covered Roadways
Salt in water sources becoming worrisome in D.C. region, experts warn By Antonio Olivo August 8, 2022 at 6:00 a.m. EDT The Washington region is growing — a metropolis of nearly 6 million people where area officials are pressing to build another 320,000 homes by the end of this decade. And with that growth comes

Soil Erosion and Water Pollution

/ Published in stormwater runoff, water pollution, water quality
Soil Erosion Leads to Water Pollution
The relationship between water quality and soil erosion cannot be overemphasized. Soil erosion and residue management, especially surface water runoff, influence water quality. A silt fence, sometimes called a filter fence, is a temporary sediment control barrier used on construction sites to protect water quality in nearby waterways from sediment in stormwater runoff. The problem

Don’t Let Leaves Litter Lakes

/ Published in algae, water quality
Leaves in Storm Drain
The beautiful fall colors will soon give way to barren trees and piles of fallen leaves around our yards and neighborhoods.  The leaves decompose and restock the soil with nutrients and organic matter. However, those decomposing leaves may eventually make their way into lakes and rivers.  They get washed down streets and into storm drains

Fertilizers as Water Pollutants

/ Published in algae bloom, aquatic plant growth, aquatic plants, fish kill, phosphorus, water quality
Spreading Fertilizer on Farm Field
Article Credit: wisconsinlakes.org Fertilizers, leaves, grass clippings, eroded soil, and animal waste are all sources of nutrients, including phosphorus. Phosphorus is main nutrient that drives eutrophication (premature aging) in most lakes. Relatively small amounts of phosphorus can cause water quality declines. A concentration of 25 parts per billion of phosphorus in water can promote excessive

Fire-Retardant Chemicals Fight Wildfires

/ Published in water quality
Wooded Area on Fire
There are currently dozens of large wildfires burning over 7.8 million acres across western United States.  Many blame global warming for the increased wildfires, as temperatures rise and droughts continue to plague much of the U.S.  Fire seasons are longer and causing more frequent, large-scale, high-severity wildfires.  The risk of large wildfires is expected to

10 Reasons to Care about Aquatic Invasive Species

/ Published in aquatic invasive species, hydrilla, water quality
Aquatic Weeds Clogging Irrigation Canal
Written by Madeline Seveland, Education Coordinator with Carver County Water Management Invasive Species have been steadily gaining more interest with lawmakers, interest groups and the public since the introduction of zebra mussels into Lake Minnetonka and the threat of Asian carp in the Mississippi River. Here are the top ten reasons you should care about