SEDIMENTATION: Sedimentation in tributaries and the river disrupts life cycles, which causes loss of habitat for aquatic plants, insects, and animals. Further downstream, the effects become more costly and noticeable. These effects include loss of reservoir storage capacity and reduced recreational opportunities. Finally, at the river's end, the City of Fort Wayne incurs great costs to remove the sediment and attached pollutants.
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PESTICIDES: Pesticides, like sediment, pose a threat to aquatic habitat and wildlife that rely on the river and its tributaries. Once suspended in water, pesticides at levels established by EPA, are a risk to human health. Additionally, the cumulative effects of several types of pesticides present in water supplies are not well understood.
PATHOGENS: Of all the target issues, pathogens currently pose the greatest threat to both humans and animals. Laboratory analysis of water samples has found indicators of potentially harmful pathogens throughout the river system. Several sources are believed to contribute to this problem including: inadequate home sewage disposal systems; agricultural livestock waste; wildlife waste; and other natural sources of pathogens.
NUTRIENTS: Nutrients can reach surface water supplies when attached to sediment particles. They may be conveyed through tile water or surface water runoff. Nutrients, such as nitrates, pose a threat to human health at certain levels. Nitrates in the body inhibit the ability of blood to carry oxygen. This effect is especially noticeable in infants, and is commonly referred to as the "Blue Baby Syndrome". Nutrients can also threaten the environment by causing eutrophication, often evidenced by algae blooms in surface water. Left unchecked, the eutrophication process reduces oxygen in the water. This can cause fish kills.
Water Quality Data
Water Quality Improvement Projects
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