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The Colorado and Ohio rivers are among the “most endangered” rivers in America. : NPR

The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the beginning of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 981-mile-long river extends to Cairo, Illinois, where it empties into the Mississippi River. The Ohio River supplies drinking water to her five million people.

Seyma Byram/NPR


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Seyma Byram/NPR


The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the beginning of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 981-mile-long river extends to Cairo, Illinois, where it empties into the Mississippi River. The Ohio River supplies drinking water to her five million people.

Seyma Byram/NPR

Growing up, Pittsburgh native Judy Baumgartner saw a large plastic pipe running from an industrial plant into the Ohio River.

This was in the 1960s and 1970s, when factories still dominated the city’s waterfront. Pittsburgh’s steel, coal, oil, and other industries have long supported the local economy, but they have also released pollution into the water.

Baumgartner still remembers the smell.

“It smelled sweet and different. It wasn’t freshwater,” she said. “But you’re used to it, aren’t you?”

Many of those industries have all but disappeared. But Baumgartner assumed that the Ohio River was healthy.

“To me, the river looks much healthier than it did then,” says Baumgartner.

The Ohio River forms in Pittsburgh’s backyard, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form a channel that stretches nearly 1,000 miles to Cairo, Illinois.

Rivers are much healthier than they were 50 years ago. Congress passed a landmark bill, Clean water lawin 1972, helped clean up polluted waterways like the Ohio River.

The river, which supplies drinking water to 5 million people and is home to more than 150 species of fish, is still under threat. A report released this week by conservation advocacy group American Rivers.

For nearly 40 years, the conservation group American Rivers has identified the most endangered rivers in the United States. The group compiles an annual list after screening nominations from affiliates and citizens. American Rivers evaluates rivers for emphasis based on the river’s importance to communities and ecosystems, the severity of the threat, and whether the public can help restore the river.

Mountain meltwater fills Lake Powell near Bullfrog Marina in Utah. His second-largest reservoir in the United States has dropped to record low water levels, causing problems for a portion of the Colorado River that flows through Grand Canyon National Park.

Alex Hager/KUNC


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Alex Hager/KUNC


Mountain meltwater fills Lake Powell near Bullfrog Marina in Utah. His second-largest reservoir in the United States has dropped to record low water levels, causing problems for a portion of the Colorado River that flows through Grand Canyon National Park.

Alex Hager/KUNC

This year, the report lists 10 rivers as threatened with extinction.a part of the Colorado Riveris a river that flows through Grand Canyon National Park and is the most endangered river in the country, according to American Rivers.

The Colorado River supplies millions of people in the West with drinking water and water for agriculture. But climate change exacerbates prolonged droughts, River reservoirs remain precariously low. This means less water is pumped through the Glen Canyon Dam into the Colorado River that flows through the Grand Canyon. River-dependent states are negotiating severe water cuts, and the federal government will step in if they can’t agree.

Like the Colorado River, climate change threatens the Ohio River, causing both traditional and new industrial pollution.

“To protect this precious resource, [Ohio River] It is essential to ensuring the persistence of cultural identity, historical significance, biodiversity, vibrant river communities and safe drinking water,” said the American River report.

The organization is asking Congress to designate the Ohio River as a federally protected water system.

“At the core of this, there is great risk and great opportunity,” said Heather Taylor Measle, senior vice president of advocacy and community conservation at American Rivers. Protecting the Ohio River is a priority. It should be, she said, because as other parts of the country, like the West and Southwest, suffer from water scarcity and drought, the Ohio River becomes an even more important source of fresh water.

The Glen Canyon Dam dams Lake Powell near Page, Arizona. Water levels behind the dam have dropped so low that invasive smallmouth bass swim downstream, threatening native fish in the Grand Canyon.

Alex Hager/KUNC


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Alex Hager/KUNC


The Glen Canyon Dam dams Lake Powell near Page, Arizona. Water levels behind the dam have dropped so low that invasive smallmouth bass swim downstream, threatening native fish in the Grand Canyon.

Alex Hager/KUNC

Threat to the Ohio River

Pittsburgh’s coal, oil and steel industries have all but disappeared, but toxins released into waterways like mercury and chemicals such as PCBs remain today, causing neurological and reproductive problems in fish. can cause it. People and animals that consume fish with high levels of mercury or PCBs are also at increased risk of developing neurological or reproductive disorders or cancer.

A new industry has moved into the Ohio Valley and has been licensed to release certain levels of pollution into the waterways. However, environmental groups are concerned that the permit limit has been exceeded. In 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency reviewed the Ohio River Basin. One of the most toxic watersheds in the country.

“It receives the largest burden of toxic emissions than any other watershed in the country. Let’s remember that many of them are allowed emissions,” he said. Emily Elliottdirects the Pittsburgh Collaborative Research for Water Research, Education, and Outreach at the University of Pittsburgh.

currently about 40,000 active discharge permits in the basin.

“None of these industries should be allowed to pollute, regardless of how important they are to the economy,” Elliott said.

Human-induced climate change is also contributing to the deterioration of river health, as it leads to more frequent and intense rainfall. Pittsburgh’s mixed stormwater and sewer system overflows during heavy rains, and the sewage seeps into the Ohio River, producing toxic algae that is detrimental to river life and people.

During heavy rains, approximately 630 miles or two-thirds of the Ohio River is unsafe for recreation due to sewage, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants. Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission.

But the threat doesn’t stop there. Train loaded with flammable chemicals in early February Derailed in Eastern Palestine, about 16 miles from the Ohio River. An accident released butyl acrylate into a nearby stream. on the ohio river.

A train derailment in Eastern Palestine is a reminder that rivers like the Ohio are used to transport goods, including hazardous materials. Barges and freight trains travel across and alongside rivers. When toxic substances are released into the environment, they can have devastating effects on the life in and around rivers.

Evan Clarke pilots a boat on the Monongahela River, one of two tributaries that join to form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clark works with Three Rivers Waterkeeper, an environmental non-profit organization that works to protect rivers.

Seyma Byram/NPR


hide caption

toggle caption

Seyma Byram/NPR


Evan Clarke pilots a boat on the Monongahela River, one of two tributaries that join to form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clark works with Three Rivers Waterkeeper, an environmental non-profit organization that works to protect rivers.

Seyma Byram/NPR

Protecting the Ohio River Basin

The federal government funds ecosystem restoration projects in other watersheds such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes and the Florida Everglades. The Ohio Valley Alliance, a voluntary community of more than 130 stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, is working on a plan for the Ohio Valley that it plans to submit to Congress and the Biden administration this year. Ultimately, the goal is to obtain funding for similar restoration projects in the basin.

“There are all these funding opportunities that scientists can apply to do research in these watersheds.

She said that designating the Ohio River as a federally protected water system opens the door to funding scientific research that will help people, especially future generations, understand the challenges facing the watershed and how to protect it. was opened.

Environmental groups such as Pittsburgh-based Three Rivers Waterkeeper want to hold industrial polluters accountable.

“When it comes to pollutants entering our waterways, we need to demand that clean water laws be enforced. We actually have really great clean water laws. , is that we don’t always enforce it…Three Rivers Waterkeepers.

The nonprofit regularly patrols the Ohio River looking for plastic and testing water quality. The group also teaches local communities how to detect and report pollution and the importance of rivers.

“It is a source of food and a relatively rare and abundant source of fresh water on a global scale. Clark said.

Freshwater is where we get our drinking water and is the water we use to grow our crops.that’s all 2.5% of Earth’s water is freshwaterAnd with climate change and pollution threatening water supplies, experts say finding ways to protect them is critical.

“Water shortages at this point are not our problem for places like Ohio. [River]but that will be the future if we’re not smart about how we do things.

Summarize this content to 100 words The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the beginning of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 981-mile-long river extends to Cairo, Illinois, where it empties into the Mississippi River. The Ohio River supplies drinking water to her five million people. Seyma Byram/NPR hide caption toggle caption Seyma Byram/NPR The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers join to form the beginning of the Ohio River at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The 981-mile-long river extends to Cairo, Illinois, where it empties into the Mississippi River. The Ohio River supplies drinking water to her five million people. Seyma Byram/NPR Growing up, Pittsburgh native Judy Baumgartner saw a large plastic pipe running from an industrial plant into the Ohio River. This was in the 1960s and 1970s, when factories still dominated the city’s waterfront. Pittsburgh’s steel, coal, oil, and other industries have long supported the local economy, but they have also released pollution into the water. Baumgartner still remembers the smell. “It smelled sweet and different. It wasn’t freshwater,” she said. “But you’re used to it, aren’t you?” Many of those industries have all but disappeared. But Baumgartner assumed that the Ohio River was healthy. “To me, the river looks much healthier than it did then,” says Baumgartner. The Ohio River forms in Pittsburgh’s backyard, where the Allegheny and Monongahela rivers meet to form a channel that stretches nearly 1,000 miles to Cairo, Illinois. Rivers are much healthier than they were 50 years ago. Congress passed a landmark bill, Clean water lawin 1972, helped clean up polluted waterways like the Ohio River. The river, which supplies drinking water to 5 million people and is home to more than 150 species of fish, is still under threat. A report released this week by conservation advocacy group American Rivers. For nearly 40 years, the conservation group American Rivers has identified the most endangered rivers in the United States. The group compiles an annual list after screening nominations from affiliates and citizens. American Rivers evaluates rivers for emphasis based on the river’s importance to communities and ecosystems, the severity of the threat, and whether the public can help restore the river. Mountain meltwater fills Lake Powell near Bullfrog Marina in Utah. His second-largest reservoir in the United States has dropped to record low water levels, causing problems for a portion of the Colorado River that flows through Grand Canyon National Park. Alex Hager/KUNC hide caption toggle caption Alex Hager/KUNC Mountain meltwater fills Lake Powell near Bullfrog Marina in Utah. His second-largest reservoir in the United States has dropped to record low water levels, causing problems for a portion of the Colorado River that flows through Grand Canyon National Park. Alex Hager/KUNC This year, the report lists 10 rivers as threatened with extinction.a part of the Colorado Riveris a river that flows through Grand Canyon National Park and is the most endangered river in the country, according to American Rivers. The Colorado River supplies millions of people in the West with drinking water and water for agriculture. But climate change exacerbates prolonged droughts, River reservoirs remain precariously low. This means less water is pumped through the Glen Canyon Dam into the Colorado River that flows through the Grand Canyon. River-dependent states are negotiating severe water cuts, and the federal government will step in if they can’t agree. Like the Colorado River, climate change threatens the Ohio River, causing both traditional and new industrial pollution. “To protect this precious resource, [Ohio River] It is essential to ensuring the persistence of cultural identity, historical significance, biodiversity, vibrant river communities and safe drinking water,” said the American River report. The organization is asking Congress to designate the Ohio River as a federally protected water system. “At the core of this, there is great risk and great opportunity,” said Heather Taylor Measle, senior vice president of advocacy and community conservation at American Rivers. Protecting the Ohio River is a priority. It should be, she said, because as other parts of the country, like the West and Southwest, suffer from water scarcity and drought, the Ohio River becomes an even more important source of fresh water. The Glen Canyon Dam dams Lake Powell near Page, Arizona. Water levels behind the dam have dropped so low that invasive smallmouth bass swim downstream, threatening native fish in the Grand Canyon. Alex Hager/KUNC hide caption toggle caption Alex Hager/KUNC The Glen Canyon Dam dams Lake Powell near Page, Arizona. Water levels behind the dam have dropped so low that invasive smallmouth bass swim downstream, threatening native fish in the Grand Canyon. Alex Hager/KUNC Threat to the Ohio River Pittsburgh’s coal, oil and steel industries have all but disappeared, but toxins released into waterways like mercury and chemicals such as PCBs remain today, causing neurological and reproductive problems in fish. can cause it. People and animals that consume fish with high levels of mercury or PCBs are also at increased risk of developing neurological or reproductive disorders or cancer. A new industry has moved into the Ohio Valley and has been licensed to release certain levels of pollution into the waterways. However, environmental groups are concerned that the permit limit has been exceeded. In 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency reviewed the Ohio River Basin. One of the most toxic watersheds in the country. “It receives the largest burden of toxic emissions than any other watershed in the country. Let’s remember that many of them are allowed emissions,” he said. Emily Elliottdirects the Pittsburgh Collaborative Research for Water Research, Education, and Outreach at the University of Pittsburgh. currently about 40,000 active discharge permits in the basin. “None of these industries should be allowed to pollute, regardless of how important they are to the economy,” Elliott said. Human-induced climate change is also contributing to the deterioration of river health, as it leads to more frequent and intense rainfall. Pittsburgh’s mixed stormwater and sewer system overflows during heavy rains, and the sewage seeps into the Ohio River, producing toxic algae that is detrimental to river life and people. During heavy rains, approximately 630 miles or two-thirds of the Ohio River is unsafe for recreation due to sewage, agricultural runoff, and other pollutants. Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. But the threat doesn’t stop there. Train loaded with flammable chemicals in early February Derailed in Eastern Palestine, about 16 miles from the Ohio River. An accident released butyl acrylate into a nearby stream. on the ohio river. A train derailment in Eastern Palestine is a reminder that rivers like the Ohio are used to transport goods, including hazardous materials. Barges and freight trains travel across and alongside rivers. When toxic substances are released into the environment, they can have devastating effects on the life in and around rivers. Evan Clarke pilots a boat on the Monongahela River, one of two tributaries that join to form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clark works with Three Rivers Waterkeeper, an environmental non-profit organization that works to protect rivers. Seyma Byram/NPR hide caption toggle caption Seyma Byram/NPR Evan Clarke pilots a boat on the Monongahela River, one of two tributaries that join to form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Clark works with Three Rivers Waterkeeper, an environmental non-profit organization that works to protect rivers. Seyma Byram/NPR Protecting the Ohio River Basin The federal government funds ecosystem restoration projects in other watersheds such as the Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes and the Florida Everglades. The Ohio Valley Alliance, a voluntary community of more than 130 stakeholders, including local, state, and federal agencies, is working on a plan for the Ohio Valley that it plans to submit to Congress and the Biden administration this year. Ultimately, the goal is to obtain funding for similar restoration projects in the basin. “There are all these funding opportunities that scientists can apply to do research in these watersheds. She said that designating the Ohio River as a federally protected water system opens the door to funding scientific research that will help people, especially future generations, understand the challenges facing the watershed and how to protect it. was opened. Environmental groups such as Pittsburgh-based Three Rivers Waterkeeper want to hold industrial polluters accountable. “When it comes to pollutants entering our waterways, we need to demand that clean water laws be enforced. We actually have really great clean water laws. , is that we don’t always enforce it…Three Rivers Waterkeepers. The nonprofit regularly patrols the Ohio…
https://www.npr.org/2023/04/20/1170931581/the-colorado-and-ohio-rivers-are-among-the-most-endangered-in-america-heres-why The Colorado and Ohio rivers are among the “most endangered” rivers in America. : NPR

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