How's the Water?

Ozarks Water Watch is happy to present our fourth annual Status of the Watershed report designed to answer the question, "How is the water?" in the Upper White River basin. The rivers, lakes and streams in southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas establish a foundation for the region's economic prosperity and attractive lifestyle. If these waters become polluted or spoiled by unconstrained growth and development, they will diminish the vibrant economy, discourage visitors and tourism, and compromise the enjoyment so many in the region now find in these natural assets.

Historically our status reports have been based only on scientific studies of water conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and science faculty from the University of Arkansas and Missouri State University. This water quality data is definitely the gold standard. But as we all realize, conducting monitoring at that level is expensive and limits the number of sites that can be monitored.

Ozarks Water Watch is embarking on a new project that will combine other sources of water quality monitoring along with USGS data. This will include a program to build on and expand the highly successful volunteer-based Stream Team effort in both Missouri and Arkansas. Properly trained volunteers can provide reliable and valuable water quality data over a large number of sample sites providing for a higher resolution picture of how our lakes, streams and rivers are doing at any given place and time. This year's 8 page report already includes additional data sources and Ozarks Water Watch will expand and refine our monitoring efforts to continue to bring you the best possible information on our basin's water quality.

The above graph summarizes three years of biological monitoring by the University of Arkansas within the Upper White River Basin. (For complete information, you can access the 8 page status report online: HERE.) The 14,000 square mile basin reaches across 19 counties in Arkansas and Missouri and is home to a million people. According to USGS data, nutrient pollution is the biggest water quality problem facing the region. Nutrient pollution comes from many sources and drives the growth of the algae that can choke our streams and lakes. Urban and suburban areas contribute polluted runoff from streets, sidewalks, buildings, overfertilized lawns and bad development practices. Runoff from agriculture in rural areas carries nutrients and sediment to streams and lakes. While wastewater treatment methods have improved, many systems have yet to be upgraded and continue to discharge high nutrient effluent into our waters.

Another concern of the general public is if our waters are safe for their "intended recreational uses" such as swimming, boating and fishing. In almost every instance, the test results for the Ozarks streams in this report are safe for whole body contact (swimming). It should be noted that E coli test results from any given day are no indication of what the E coli levels are now as they can vary greatly from day to day. The waters listed in the "RED" zone in the above chart are impaired by nutrients which can be harmful to aquatic life and our fisheries and serve as an indication of where we may want to prioritize our water quality efforts.

kids in creek

The 8 page Status of the Watershed Report is available now online and in print. The print version is available at our offices in Kimberling City and will be distributed at many water quality events and conferences across the Upper White River Basin. The online version in .pdf format can be found here: 2011 Status of the Watershed Report

Click here for the 19 page UPPER WHITE RIVER BASIN MONITORING ANALYSIS which contains the exact test site locations and background testing information on which our Status Report is based.

The water quality problems of the region start and end with us. We created the issues by working and living in the watershed. The roads we drive on, the farms where our food is grown and even the homes we live in contribute to water pollution. By taking ownership of the problem we can begin to fix it.

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Quote of the Week

"Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure."

- John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day

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Current News Articles

Report: Wastewater preferable to wasting water

By Wendy Koch, USA TODAY

Drinking wastewater? The idea may sound distasteful, but new federally funded research says more Americans are doing so - whether they know it or not - and this reuse will be increasingly necessary as the U.S population expands.

Treated wastewater poses no greater health risks than existing water supplies and, in some cases, may be even safer to drink, according to a report released Tuesday by the National Research Council, a science advisory group chartered by Congress. "We believe water reuse is a viable option" to deal with growing water scarcity, especially in coastal areas, says Jörg Drewes, an engineering professor at the Colorado School of Mines who contributed to the report. "This can be done reliably without putting the public at risk," he says, citing technological advances. He says it's a waste not to reuse the nation's wastewater, because almost all of it is treated before discharge. This water includes storm runoff as well as used water from homes, businesses and factories.

To read more, Click: HERE.

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SinkholeReport.com: The Ugly, the Beautiful, and the Interesting About Sinkholes

We know and fear sinkholes for their destructive nature. They have swallowed entire buildings and homes. To ancient civilizations, sinkholes represented windows into the mythical underground. Some sinkholes have become lakes and cave openings that are enjoyed by outdoor sports fanatics. Sinkhole.com is an online repository that recognizes the ugly, the beautiful, and the interesting about sinkholes.

Tampa, FL, January 04, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Sinkholes are the result of erosion of the underground bedrock that ultimately collapses into a typically circular cavity deep into the ground. Most of us know sinkholes for their ugly side, and for the destruction they cause to public and private property. The impressive images of the damage caused in Guatemala City by a giant sinkhole that opened in 2010 went around the world. In the United States, the States with the most sinkholes are Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania. According to the Office of Insurance Regulation of the State of Florida, sinkhole monetary damage to private property in Florida between 2006 and 2010 was about $1.4 Billion.

Sinkholes have been modifying the landscape long before humans inhabited the land. Many ancient sinkholes have been filled with water and are now beautiful fresh water lakes that are enjoyed by many. This is the case of the many sinkholes in the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico that were revered by the ancient Mayans, and are now touristic attractions. Other sinkholes expose underground aquifers and networks of caves to human curiosity. Extreme sports such as cave rope climbing and cave diving are common in many sinkholes.

For more information, Click HERE.

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River Rally 2012

An international gathering of the watershed conservation community

May 4-7, 2012, Portland, Oregon

Doubletree Hotel Portland Lloyd Center

Portland's First Green Seal Certified Hotel

Download the River Rally 2012 Brochure

View the River Rally 2012 Workshop Matrix

Featuring:

Over 95 educational workshops and intensive training sessions
Keynotes by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Alexandra Cousteau
Unsurpassed networking opportunities
Special focus on the Clean Water Act at 40
Bridge Day (May 4) with the National Water Quality Monitoring Council's conference

The strength of our movement lies in working and sharing together. Despite our many challenges, this is truly a time of opportunity to better protect our home waters.

For more information, Click HERE.

Contact Info
OZARKS WATER WATCH MISSOURI OFFICE ARKANSAS OFFICE

David Casaletto, President PO Box 636, 2 Kissee Ave., Ste. C 1200 W. Walnut, Ste. 3405
(417) 739-5001 Kimberling City, MO 65686 Rogers, AR 72756

contact@ozarkswaterwatch.org