Impaired Streams?

[ollie]

Just read an article in the local news yesterday and the DNR stated that 4 or 5 local streams are loaded high in E-coli bacteria. Shoal Creek, Capps Creek, Indian, Hickory, and I can't remember the other one. Anyways, I knew Shoal had it bad in some places and I definetly knew Hickory had it's problems, but I would have not guessed Capps at all. I am guessing that a high E-coli reading is mainly from farm run-off? I generalize the words "farm run-off" to include many different agriculture operations. So how is classifing these streams as impaired going to effect me?

[SilverMallard]

An Impaired Waters designation is EPA talk for "uh-oh, that ain't good. We better start figuring out how to fix this."

It is a very broad classification that is used for a whole host of water quality problems. It basically means one or more of those problem areas are worse than is "acceptable."

[Thom]

One of the tools we use to protect our water quality is a TMDL study. That stands for the Total Maximum Daily Load calculation of the maximum amount of a given pollutant a waterbody can absorb before its quality is affected. That sounds like a mouthful, but think of it like this; when you don’t feel well, you often take your temperature. If it’s above 98.6 you generally take steps to bring your fever down to normal. A TMDL works the same way. It tells us something is wrong with a body of water and indicates a course of treatment to fix the problem.

There are a wide range of things that can effect the rating. There are different standards for different streams depending on the use of the stream. Cold water fisheries, warm water fisheries, recreational waters, water supplies all have things that are measured.

Things that affect the trout fisheries are dissolved oxygen, sediment from runoff, pollutants etc. That's why it is important to quickly report any unusual stream discrepancies to MDR when observed.

[MoCarp]

the biggest culprit is septic tanks I would bet more houses are on tanks than ww treatment in SW Missouri I don't see that changing--heck if you drove around empire lake where the confluence of shoal creek and spring river come together, it would make you cry so much potential, it is cleaner in the slum areas of st Louis

if I was a billionaire I would by every bit of property around it

[Terry Beeson]

The list of "Imapaired waters" seems to be growing every day. And why is that? Easy... We, as in mankind, have allowed our greed and desire for instant gratification get the best of our world. We are so very much a wasteful society that it is now affecting our water supply at dangerously high levels.

What causes the high levels of pollutants in these streams? Allow me to give you a partial list:

1. Unregulated and even allowable land development practices.

2. Unchecked agricultural practices.

3. Golf courses and other such landscaping.

4. Massive amounts of waste products with no place to store them properly.

5. Industrial practices.

So, with that, are we willing to pay more for land and housing? Do we want to pay $10 for a gallon of milk or a pound of chicken? Do you think "cow pasture" type golf courses, parks, and other similar places will draw people to them? Are you willing to reduce your weekly trash pick-up to a five-gallon container? Shower every third or fourth day with restrictions on the amount of water used for this? Use soap that will only leave your clothes "half-clean" and not so nice smelling?

The problem is not that you or I are willing to make sacrafices. The problem is that our society in general is not willing to make sacrafices. We want our cake and eat it too...

However, one key is education on the VALUE of the loss of such streams. Not just the value to fishermen, but the value to the public in general.

Statistics on the economic value of a stream from, say, fishing could be calculated. This can be presented to local businesses that benefit from the fishing - tackle shops, restaurants, lodging facilities, gas stations, and other retail stores. These, in turn, deal with local banks and have a tax base. So, if the stream dies and there are no fish, how much impact would that have on the local economy? You... and they... might be very surprised...

Telling them you want clean water to drink and fish in is one thing. Telling them dirty water might cost them hundreds, thousands, even millions of dollars hits home a lot more...

OK... soap box is vacant... next!