E Coli in the Spring River

[Chief Grey Bear]

I have been watching this for a few years now. This is not the first report on Spring River. The Carthage High School Stream Team has been reporting this for over 5 years. The DNR when finally pressed on the issue said that they are not trained to take samples. Well, I don't have to tell you that that did not set to well.

Last I heard, the DNR has decided to work the the Carthage Stream Team and others to locate the problem. Everybody already knows what the problem is.

Actually in my book there are 2 of them. One is unregulated septic tanks or lack there of. There has been an unprecedented growth in country living. Second it the explosion of beef, hog and poultry operations in SW Missouri. Missouri is second only behind Texas in beef production. And the majority of that is in SW Missouri. SW Missouri has more beef than people.

But I doubt you will get the truth from your local government. These operations are big business. I like how they can't figure out why it always spikes during a time of high water. Its very simple people. In stead of spending years try to find the source, which we already know, lets develop a plan to combat it.

You know you can't have it both ways. As this news keeps getting press, you will have a reduction in tourism. Then you have a reduction in residents. Once those two are gone, you can't have growth in business. Who wants to live or visit an area that has bad water?

So what is the problem in having a buffer along the creeks and rivers? Say 25 feet from the average high water mark?

[jdmidwest]

As far as livestock pollution, it would be hard to pinpoint as there are cows everywhere. I think that they might even have a river access or two around Riverside Camp on the right. Multiply it by all of the feeder streams that runoff into the river from the hills during a rain. The Spring River drainage starts up around West Plains so it would be hard to narrow down. Then there is the South Fork.

It could be coming in from Mammoth Spring itself, runoff into a sinkhole somewhere.

I always get a kick out of the locals that come down to Lasseters to fill up jugs of the fine spring water. Fish guts, Ducks, runoff from town, yummy. You know what their gut feels like!

[Chief Grey Bear]

quote name='jdmidwest' date='Jun 9 2007, 09:12 AM' post='40019']

As far as livestock pollution, it would be hard to pinpoint as there are cows everywhere.

Well, I hardly think we are talking about pinpointing the problem to each and every individual cow. I think we need to pinpoint that Ecoli is coming from animal waste and we need to develop a plan to significantly reduce the possibility of it entering the streams to the best of our ability without letting call of the almighty dollar interfere.

I think that they might even have a river access or two around Riverside Camp on the right. Multiply it by all of the feeder streams that runoff into the river from the hills during a rain. The Spring River drainage starts up around West Plains so it would be hard to narrow down. Then there is the South Fork.

It could be coming in from Mammoth Spring itself, runoff into a sinkhole somewhere.

I always get a kick out of the locals that come down to Lasseters to fill up jugs of the fine spring water. Fish guts, Ducks, runoff from town, yummy. You know what their gut feels like!

[Wayne SW/MO]

Its my understanding that when they find bacteria in a river the size of the Spring, it requires a source that is bigger than runoff, and more than likely from a fluid leakage with a high level of bacteria.

[jdmidwest]

There you go, I thought you were talking about the Spring River in Arkansas. I bet some of the others thought the same too.

Crap!

[McManus]

So what are they going to do about it? I wade in the stream---sometimes I fall---I wade around damp all day in those waders---is this OK?

[Rusty]

There you go, I thought you were talking about the Spring River in Arkansas. I bet some of the others thought the same too.

Crap!

It's easy to do jd. I have done it before on another topic.

[Chief Grey Bear]

So what are they going to do about it? I wade in the stream---sometimes I fall---I wade around damp all day in those waders---is this OK?

My gut feeling says nothing. This problem just didn't start yesterday. It has been a known problem for some years now. Remember the DNR just approved another huge poultry operation very close to Roaring River. Going against much local opposition. Money talks and that is the problem.

Articles such as the one Rusty posted have been appearing for some years now and every time they read it, the local governments on the city, county and state level act as if it the first they have heard of it.

I wish I had the money to run for county commissioner. I would most likely not get reelected, but I sure would make life ruff on a few. That is most likely what it is going to take. Someone such as us that has a true love of the land that we live on and the air that we breath. And not just give a bunch of lip service at election time!!!

[Terry Beeson]

McManus... it's easy... read my former post. It's just a matter of good personal hygiene and keeping your fingers, line, waders, etc. out of your mouth. And do try not to drink the water...

Chances are if you do get some in your mouth, even at the high levels, you will just get a bad case of the back door trots and feel like s#!t for a couple of days.

Now, if you fill up your water bottle and take several big gulps, then you might be in trouble...

[Chief Grey Bear]

Here is another interesting read in the Globe today. http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/local_story_160174436.html

Take note of the last paragraph and read between the lines. It sums up exactly what I post above about lip service.

But if you don't mind having the runs all the time, I guess it doesn't matter much.