Field Trip Report
The Cape Fear River Watch is a non profit organization initiated to “protect and improve the water quality of the Cape Fear River.” They intend to help the river water remain “fishable, swimmable, and drinkable.” The Cape Fear River Watch provides a wide array of education, advocacy, and action programs for members of the Cape Fear River community. The Cape Fear River contains environmental habitats including salt marshes and black water swamps. The distinct and unique culture of the Cape Fear River demands protection. Large corporations have abused the Cape Fear River over the last few decades. Over the last century, the river’s fish population has decreased drastically. The Cape Fear River has developed water contamination and air quality issues from coal ash emissions and waste, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, and is now further threatened by the possible introduction of Titan Cement company. Theses companies have significantly impacted surrounding communities. Environmentally, these issues are destroying our water and air quality, and are detrimental to ecosystems within the river. As we explored the Cape Fear River during our field trip, our guide focused on these three main contributing factors to the destruction of the river. We explored the Rock Arch Rapids the River Watch constructed. We evaluated the different factors of water contamination from large corporations like Duke Energy. Sociologically, surrounding communities are facing issues
Due to the large bodies of water in the county, there is a high risk for drowning. Water quality pollutants in the county come from fertilizers, bacteria from animal feces, sediment from land that are being cleared and stream channel erosion. When the rain falls into farms, parking lots, construction sites, and lawns the water collects pollutants and they get carried to the stream and then eventually end up in the Chesapeake Bay. In 2010 10 out of 15 streams sampled were rated far to poor, E-Coli, dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, Chlorophyll-A and Polychlorinated Biphenyls were noted in the samples (2013 Natural Resource Indicator Report, 2014). C & R Battery Company Inc. and the Defense General Supply Center DLA were found on the national priority list for the most hazardous waste sites identified by the Environment Protection Agency because it is a risk to human and/or the environment (Virginia Superfund Sites, 2013).
The Neuse River has played a vital role throughout much of the history of North Carolina. In recent decades however the river has seen degradation of its health and ecology via massive amounts of point and non-point source pollution. The result has been numerous events of eutrophication, resulting in the ecological “dead zones” found throughout the river. Notable contributors of this pollution have been industrial plants and agriculture, most notably power plants and hog farms. As a result, federal and state agencies have enacted strict regulations and water quality standards and procedures to monitor the tributaries, estuarine areas, and main stem of the greater Neuse River watershed.
The great flood of the Mississippi river in 1927 prompted the severing of class divisions and the extension of racial oppression. The flood caused over $350 million in property damage, 246 flood-related deaths, and a home loss of 130,00. Many african americans fled north to escape the racial oppression that resulted from the disastrous flood. Police held black african americans at gun point until they agreed to help raise the levees to protect buildings and houses from rising flood waters. After African americans started refusing to work, one got shot in the back and all the african americans fled north to escape the hardships that were brought about when the river flooded. After Hoover won presidency, he did not keep his promises to ensure
Recently, the heap of pollution caused a massive drainage in the Everglades’ water quality. Tramontana and Johnson (2003) reported that “much of Florida’s early development was based upon draining and removing excess water from wetlands… and it was thought if drained, the land could be put to better use” (Human Development section, para. 2). Pollution destroys the cleanliness of the wetland leading to a decrease in restoration. Millions amount of cash produced to repair water quality leads to the consequences of continuous flow of freshwater.
Recently, a contractor working for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unintentionally released 3 million gallons of toxic mine waste into the Animas River in the Mountain West state of Colorado. Right now, people in the US are debating the efficacy of the EPA (the right-wing is using the spill as anti-government propaganda) and the noxious aftermath the spill will undoubtedly have on local economies, communities and ecosystems.
It has came to mind that the Big Sioux River located in the Eastern Part of South Dakota is a very polluted river. It is so polluted that its the 13th highest polluted water source in the United States. Therefore the people around this river, this is a very important to the people around because this is there main water source. People may ask why is this river so polluted and its because of the toxic waste from us humans. Every time you go to the bathroom all this waste ends up going into the river and even when you take a shower all the chemicals that go in your hair or for your body from the soap end up going into the river.
This situation may arise if humanity does not take steps to mend its polluting tendencies. To begin with, each individual should focus on decontaminating his or her nearest water body. For those living in Delaware, the nearest major water body is the Delaware River, which is in dire need of reform. “The Delaware River, . . . is the fifth most-polluted river in the country, according to a report released . . . by Environment New Jersey” (Augenstein). However, this issue did not arise spontaneously. A recognized problem by the early eighteenth century, Delaware River pollution remained a serious issue for the next 300 years. This mostly originated from rapid population growth and booming industrial activities (“Delaware River Water Quality”). As the years progressed, Delawareans continuously disregarded the Delaware River, and now it is immensely polluted due to an accumulation of neglect for the river. Residents polluted the river without repercussions until the river’s deterioration began to adversely affect them. Because of this, Delaware waters continued to befoul past the line of safety. “Severe pollution was most evident by the prevalence of waterborne illnesses and in the sharp decline of migratory fish populations” (“Delaware River Water Quality”). Delaware waterways are currently unsafe for commercial use due to the presence of pollutants and parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium in the water. These can cause significant health problems, especially in
Not only does it provide a source of water to 600,000 people, it has acted as a means of travel, hydropower and a source of food (Merrimack River Watershed Council, 2014). It goes without saying that alongside the cultural developments that have grown with the Merrimack River, there have also been many environmental issues as a result of misuse and poor city planning. While some of these problems have improved greatly since the 1900s, there are still improvements that need to be made. One of the most prominent issues that currently affect the quality of the Merrimack River is sewage waste. Although the Clean Water Act of 1972 has set standards in place for sewage disposal, progress has not been immediate. For example, Manchester, New Hampshire, one of the many cities that reside along the Merrimack River, did not stop dumping raw sewage into the river until 1992 (U.S. Department of the Interior,
Hey yah I think this is freaking retarted but I have to pass this class. Anyways some things I thought were interesting and kind of cool are that the Mississippi river created most of the Louisiana I didn’t know that a river could do that ya that is like so exciting however it couldn’t have made it if it stayed in one channel. Southern Louisiana exists in its present form because the Mississippi River has jumped here and there within an arc about two hundred miles wide, like a pianist playing with one hand—frequently and radically changing course, surging over the left or the right bank to go off in utterly new directions. (The Control of Nature February 23, 1987 issue Atchafalaya by john McPhee). In other words the river moving in all directions
How was life up and down the Mississippi river? Life on the Mississippi was no cakewalk. The first settlers had to endure floods, war and disease. Many died coming West to start a new life for their families. It was hard for them, but they made it work and more people followed suit and came to settle along the banks of the Mississippi.
In this research paper I will be talking about the Connecticut River, the common sewer overflow and sewer discharge that goes into the river, I will be focusing on the pollutants that are in the CT river, I will also focus on the high density towns and the affect it has on them, then I will talk about the ecological impacts and economical aspects. The Connecticut River is the longest river in the New England region, it spans through five states Maine (Small portions), Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut, discharging into the Long island sound. The river serves more than two million people throughout New England. The main issue with the river is the untreated storm water and sewer waste that is being discharged into it which causes many harmful effects not only to the many different species that call the CT River its home, but to the people that live around the CT River. Combined sewer overflows (CSOs), the discharging of combined sewer systems directly into surface waters upon capacity overload, are a large source of pollution of U.S. waterways. A report from the Environment and Connecticut Research and policy center has said that industrial facilities have discharged 224,029 pounds of toxic waste into the Connecticut waterways in the year of 2012. There are many government agencies such as the EPA and committees like the Connecticut River Cleanup Committee that are raising funds and awareness in order to help clean up the Connecticut River
During my visit to the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, PA, I viewed pieces of modern art that intrigued me, but did not invoke any strong emotion. After walking through the Harlem exhibit with paintings presenting social issues and other ceramics exhibits, I finally stumbled across the gallery of “European and American Art ca. 1820-1860.” This period of American history fascinates me because my 3rd great-grandparents Johannes and Johanna Engel, were first-generation German immigrants, who watched the steamboats roll down the Mississippi River across the town of St. Louis.
Government officials, Support groups, and residents of El Paso, Pueblo, and Teller counties are currently managing the Fountain Creek Watershed. The Fountain Creek Watershed is a mistreated watershed and the solutions would require a dedicated management group and necessary funding to increase the sustainability of this area. “We are working to create a healthy waterway with appropriate erosion, sedimentation, and flooding that supports diverse economic, environmental, and recreational interests.” (Fountain Creek Watershed, 2015). The collaboration of all agencies working in this watershed will ensure the safety of the environment surrounding the area of reviewed in this research.
The Bighorn River in Montana, that holds a great significance to the state of Montana, is a current example of the importance of preserving natural resources in the world today. This river provides water for agriculture and generates income through recreational uses. Poor river management led to the river having high flows for many years that cost the agriculture industry millions for flooding damage and posed a threat to the limited trout habitat. The residents and storefronts that run along the Bighorn River have formed a community and petitioned to have the river recognized as a major asset to Montana. Their community is determined their protests and petitions will result in receiving funding for higher-quality river management and guaranteed
Mississippi was first explored from Spain by Herndon De Soto who also discovered the Mississippi river in 1540. In present day the United states army corps is trying to cut off the last connection between the Mississippi river and its natural backwater habitant in the state of Missouri by building a new 1500 foot levee across the opening at the bottom of the new Madrid floodway it will stop water from reaching its highest 75000 acres of floodplain. The Mississippi river then as it is now is still being used as a big factor when it comes to shipping goods up and down the river it is also home to many entertainment attractions such as riverboat rides for tourist and also natives of the state one of the rivers most greatest forms of entertainment is the river casinos. The delta which was