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Today, most concerns about air pollution focus on global warming. Yet for those of us working for the health of our lakes, air pollution remains an important issue.
8/6/12
Dead fish in Shangri-La
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All around the world, lakes are in trouble--with fish kills or toxic algae blooms. Usually, the culprit is excess nutrients washing into the lake. It's happening even at pristine lakes, long thought to be immune to these problems.
From time to time, I'll feature problems of lakes in a different parts of the world. The root cause is growing populations and affluence, plus the difficulty of managing thousands of small sources of nutrients.
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Indian Kashmir used to be a place people compared to mythical Shangri-La--verdant and unspoiled. And Nigeen Lake (above), in a green valley surrounded by the Himalayas, is considered by waterways officials to the least polluted waterway in the city of Srinagar (population 1.3 million).
All around the world, lakes are in trouble--with fish kills or toxic algae blooms. Usually, the culprit is excess nutrients washing into the lake. It's happening even at pristine lakes, long thought to be immune to these problems.
From time to time, I'll feature problems of lakes in a different parts of the world. The root cause is growing populations and affluence, plus the difficulty of managing thousands of small sources of nutrients.
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Indian Kashmir used to be a place people compared to mythical Shangri-La--verdant and unspoiled. And Nigeen Lake (above), in a green valley surrounded by the Himalayas, is considered by waterways officials to the least polluted waterway in the city of Srinagar (population 1.3 million).
8/1/12
"Chip sealing" of streets generates complaints
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On Madison's west side, City Engineering is in the process of "chip sealing." This is a maintenance program that extends the life of pavement which is still in good condition.
Steps in the process we observed
Complaints are coming from the use of a black, sandy material called "bottom slag."
The loose slag is creating a nuisance for pedestrians and a minor hazard for cyclists. It's also creating a lot of dust, either when vehicles pass by, or when the contractor drags a rake over the slag--as they are doing in multiple passes (below).
The City claims chip sealing will save millions of dollars over the years. They also claim that it's environmentally friendly, because it saves natural resources. In other words, when slag is used on streets, sand doesn't have to be mined. And, keeping the slag--a waste product--out of landfills saves landfill space. I don't doubt these assertions. I just wonder if all the long-term costs of using slag have been accounted for in the "cost-benefit" calculations.
On Madison's west side, City Engineering is in the process of "chip sealing." This is a maintenance program that extends the life of pavement which is still in good condition.
Steps in the process we observed
- Workers clean out cracks between pavement and curb, and place filters on the stormsewer inlets.
- Asphalt is laid down to seal the cracks in pavement.
- Bottom slag is liberally applied to cover the asphalt, provide traction, and surface protecton.
- A pickup truck drags a rake to make sure the slag is evenly distributed.
- The excess slag is removed in several passes by sweepers.
Complaints are coming from the use of a black, sandy material called "bottom slag."
The loose slag is creating a nuisance for pedestrians and a minor hazard for cyclists. It's also creating a lot of dust, either when vehicles pass by, or when the contractor drags a rake over the slag--as they are doing in multiple passes (below).
The City claims chip sealing will save millions of dollars over the years. They also claim that it's environmentally friendly, because it saves natural resources. In other words, when slag is used on streets, sand doesn't have to be mined. And, keeping the slag--a waste product--out of landfills saves landfill space. I don't doubt these assertions. I just wonder if all the long-term costs of using slag have been accounted for in the "cost-benefit" calculations.
7/15/12
Severe erosion at Nakoma Park
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As the City begins its study of the Lake Wingra Watershed,* citizens need to begin thinking about creative approaches to the watershed's management. Input from citizens can encourage the study to be more creative and comprehensive.
I've been spending days exploring the watershed. Of all the problems found, Nakoma Park erosion jumps to the top of my list for action in the near future.
As the City begins its study of the Lake Wingra Watershed,* citizens need to begin thinking about creative approaches to the watershed's management. Input from citizens can encourage the study to be more creative and comprehensive.
Caving bank on north side of creek in Nakoma Park.
6/22/12
Science Thursdays at Wingra Park--free for kids
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by Debi Leeper
We are in full swing with our Science Thursdays and the first two sessions have been great!
Liz Metloff and Natalia Kulas did an outstanding job, starting our season off with a walk to the spring and comparing water in the spring and the lake.
The students were like little scientists with their little testing kits and they really went away understanding what determines water quality.
by Debi Leeper
We are in full swing with our Science Thursdays and the first two sessions have been great!
The students were like little scientists with their little testing kits and they really went away understanding what determines water quality.
6/14/12
Plans for cutting aquatic plants in Lake Wingra
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If you've seen Lake Wingra recently, you may have noticed big changes. The water is much clearer--but there are more lake weeds--especially Eurasian water milfoil.
Since removal of carp during recent winters, these destructive fish have been greatly reduced in numbers. They no longer stir up the bottom sediments, making the water cloudy, and disturbing rooted plants.
This has allowed water milfoil to increase, because it gets more light in the clear water. You can now see vast areas of this invasive plant--because the little flowers are protruding above the water.
Plans for mowing aquatic plants
The 5-year permit for mowing in Lake Wingra has expired, so the Dane County Land & Water Resources Dept. is seeking public input on plans for the next 5 years.
Recently, test strips were mowed, as shown on the map below:
The orange strip was cut to allow easy access by boats or distance swimmers across the lake. The yellow strips are designed to allow predatory fish to penetrate into the shore areas, where they will help to restore the balance between predator and prey, leading to larger fish for anglers.
If you have comments, address them to Darren Marsh, Parks Director, 608-224-3766; marsh@co.dane.wi.us
6/13/12
Can you name the wetland critters?
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Take the skull challenge...
June 16, 9:30 am-4:00 pm
Can you name the wetland animal that matches each skull?
The relative sizes are shown. The largest is 7 3/4" long, and the smallest is 2 3/8" long.
A. hint: omnivore (eats a wide variety of animals and plants)
6/8/12
How I became a woodland gardener
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I used to have a traditional yard--almost entirely grass, with shrubs around the edges.
Along the side, between my house and the next, it was very shady. Grass would hardly grow there, but the weeds did. I’d mow it twice in the summer to lop off the scraggly weeds. The mower would kick up clouds of dust--I’d have to hold my breath. In the fall, I raked leaves--creating more clouds of dust.
If you have lots of shade, and no money for plants--
here's an easy method.
I used to have a traditional yard--almost entirely grass, with shrubs around the edges.
Along the side, between my house and the next, it was very shady. Grass would hardly grow there, but the weeds did. I’d mow it twice in the summer to lop off the scraggly weeds. The mower would kick up clouds of dust--I’d have to hold my breath. In the fall, I raked leaves--creating more clouds of dust.
My yard (right) used to be as barren as the left side of the fence.
The Clean Lakes Festival is looking for groups to participate
Saturday, August 18, 2012
6/1/12
Home projects for watershed health
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Projects that homeowners can undertake are especially appropriate, now that the Friends of Lake Wingra has begun a partnership with City Engineering to study how management of the whole Wingra watershed can improve the lake.
And, home projects also fit with the Arboretum's desire to reach out into the surrounding community.
Projects that homeowners can undertake are especially appropriate, now that the Friends of Lake Wingra has begun a partnership with City Engineering to study how management of the whole Wingra watershed can improve the lake.
And, home projects also fit with the Arboretum's desire to reach out into the surrounding community.
I've been testing several projects people can do at home...
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