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Chesapeake Trip, The Watershed
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As we drove to
and from the Bay, we had opportunities to see many of the issues in the
watershed that affect the bay. We were able to compare unspoiled
portions of the watershed to areas affected by acid mine drainage, poor
agricultural practices, urbanization, and dams. |
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In the Allegheny National forest,
Alumnus Kirk Johnson showed us unspoiled reaches of stream that his
organization, Pennsylvania Wild, is working to protect as wilderness.
Originally, most of the Chesapeake watershed was forested. The forest soils
led to a balanced release of water and nutrients to the streams and the
Bay. Loss of forest cover, much of which occurred in colonial
times, was the first major cause of the Bay's decline. |
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A cid drainage from abandoned
coal mines is a concern in western Pennsylvania. We saw a stark
contrast between untreated water flowing directly into streams (above
left) from some sites and the treatment (above right) that a more
responsible operator, Duquesne Power and Light, uses to restore water to
a level that allows trout rearing in their holding ponds.
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Farming practices also affect
water quality. Overgrazing and allowing stock into the stream have
destroyed this Lancaster County stream's banks, clearly contributing to
the sediment load and turbidity of the water.
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Dams have had a
serious impact on migratory fish, blocking their path up the stream.
Students are talking with fishermen on a dam on the Susquehanna.
This dam has been equipped with a fish elevator in hopes of
reestablishing shad and other fish runs on the river. |
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Many are working to restore the
watershed. Here Albion Alumnus, Matt Berris describes his work
with the Potomac River Conservancy. this organization works with
landowners along the river to engage in best practices to control
sediment and nutrient loads. |
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Next: The Bay |
For more information, contact Dr. Tim Lincoln, Institute for
the Study of the Environment, Albion College, Albion MI 49224.
Phone (517) 629-0486 – e-mail tlincoln@albion.edu
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