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WATERWAY POLLUTION
Since 2016, about 23,000 Plastic Pirates pupils have surveyed German rivers for litter; their data found plastic and cigarette butts among the most common itemsOver seven years, German students spearheaded a monumental investigation into river litter, with thousands lending their efforts. Their fin...
In 2006, Hawai‘i listed Waipā Stream, after dense hau bush trapped sediment and blocked fish. Today, restoration cut average turbidity by 62% and restored native fish passageWaipā Stream restoration efforts significantly improved water quality and aquatic habitats. Invasive hau bush removal and feral pig control...
Chicago installed tree tubs and permeable pavement at Navy Pier; it helps capture stormwater while reducing annual pollution by 3 lb of phosphorus, 47 lb of nitrogen and 2 tons of sedimentChicago's Navy Pier showcases an impressive green infrastructure designed for efficient stormwater management. Featuring seventy-seven tree...
This beautiful floating flower was introduced as an ornamental plant. Now it chokes rivers, dams, and creeks across the worldNigeria is grappling with serious ecological and economic hurdles due to the spread of the invasive water hyacinth weed. This aggressive pl...
At 18, this Virginia teen helped 70 young volunteers to restore the Chesapeake Bay. They removed nearly 5,000 pounds of debris in a yearAt just a teenager, James Hemphill launched a remarkable six-year environmental initiative. Co-founding Project Green Teens, he rallied num...
In 2002, Kansas listed the North Cottonwood River for copper pollution. 12 years later, farm conservation helped lower copper from 14.1 to 3.5 µg/L and restore the riverNorth Cottonwood River restoration: Kansas listed the North Cottonwood River as impaired by copper pollution in 2002. Agricultural runoff w...
Michigan scientists in 2024 dyed a lake blue and added fertilizer to test if blocking sunlight could prevent algal blooms; rain washed away the dye and the water turned greenScientists dyed Peter Lake blue to test sunlight reduction for algal bloom prevention. Repeated rainfall washed out the dye, allowing algae...
In 2017, Louisiana helped repair septic systems threatening the Amite River. 7 years later, 805 systems were fixed and 46.9 miles were removed from the bacteria listSignificant strides in water quality have stemmed from proactive home septic system inspections and educational initiatives. The Amite Rive...
In 2016, Indiana found very poor fish health in 1.27 miles of Big Branch after years of pollution. 7 years later, its fish score reached 48 and the segment was clearedBig Branch’s recovery is ultimately a reminder that environmental restoration is often measured in years rather than weeks. The stream did ...
In 2012, Indiana began protecting Flat Creek, a 54-mile stream affected by pollution. 10 years later, multiple stretches had recovered enough to be removed from the listFlat Creek in Indiana experienced significant water quality issues for years. A 2012 plan initiated watershed improvement efforts and best ...
In 2012, Indiana farmers adopted cover crops that helped stop 5,695 tons of soil from reaching waterways each year. 9 years later, Prairie Creek scored 50 and was removedPrairie Creek in Indiana was once impaired for aquatic communities. A watershed management plan implemented in 2012 led to significant impr...
In 1996, Illinois added Lake Decatur to its pollution list after farm runoff harmed its water. 28 years later, nitrogen levels fell below the 7.8 mg/L limitLake Decatur's water quality improved after implementing agricultural best management practices. Efforts to reduce nutrient and sediment ru...
In 2002, Illinois listed Sugar Creek as polluted by 2 water-quality problems. 20 years later, 1 was cleared after cleanup efforts helped restore healthy oxygen levelsSugar Creek's dissolved oxygen impairment was cleared after twenty years of restoration work. Projects across the watershed focused on redu...
In 2006, Delaware listed Broadkill River waters as impaired for nutrients. 18 years later, BMPs helped restore 7.6 miles of Ingrams Branch, bringing phosphorus levels below the state thresholdIngrams Branch in Delaware has reached an important water-quality milestone. The 7.6-mile stream segment was once impaired by excess phosph...
In 2011, Arkansas prioritized Lake Conway-Point Remove to tackle pollution. 13 years later, Conway cut nitrogen 41% and phosphorus 44% with green infrastructure annuallyLake Conway-Point Remove story ultimately shows why the future of water-quality protection may depend on combining engineering with ecology...
In 1998, officials listed Arkansas' L’Anguille River as impaired for siltation and turbidity. Six miles of Lateral 1A were restored; today, landowners have restored two more milesL’Anguille River restoration is gaining ground in eastern Arkansas, years after the river was listed as impaired. In 1998, officials cited ...
In the late 1990s, Arkansas agencies urged landowners to use BMPs to keep cattle from streams. Today, 2 agencies and local owners protect these sensitive waters togetherFulton County faced water quality issues, prompting conservation efforts in the late 1990s. Landowners embraced livestock exclusion and con...
In 2008, Virginia listed Grease Creek as impaired for swimming. 16 years later, DEQ cleared it from the impaired list after watershed BMPs restored water quality in 2024Grease Creek in Virginia has finally escaped a problem that followed it for 16 years. The creek was listed as impaired for swimming in 2008...
In 1998, HHPC launched a pollution-control plan for New York's Hempstead Harbor. 13 years later, its northern segment reopened to shellfishing after being closed for more than 40 yearsThe restoration of northern Hempstead Harbor in Nassau County, New York, demonstrates how long-term cooperation and pollution-control measu...
In 1994, Illinois EPA listed 50.75 miles of Silver Creek as impaired by farm pollution. 28 years later, Illinois removed the creek from its impaired list in 2022Upper Silver Creek in Illinois has been removed from an impaired waters list. Best management practices were installed to reduce pollution ...