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EPA survey finds more than half of the nation’s river and stream miles in poor condition
Story Date: 3/27/2013
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 3/26/13
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released the results of the first comprehensive survey
looking at the health of thousands of stream and river miles across the
country, finding that more than half – 55 percent – are in poor condition for aquatic
life.
“The health of our Nation’s rivers, lakes, bays and coastal
waters depends on the vast network of streams where they begin, and
this new science shows that America’s streams and rivers are under significant
pressure,” said Office of Water Acting Assistant Administrator Nancy Stoner.
“We must continue to invest in protecting and restoring our nation’s streams
and rivers as they are vital sources of our drinking water, provide many
recreational opportunities, and play a critical role in the economy.”
The 2008-2009 National Rivers and Stream Assessment reflects the
most recent data available, and is part of EPA’s expanded effort to monitor
waterways in the U.S. and gather scientific data on the condition of the
Nation’s water resources.
EPA partners, including states and tribes, collected data from
approximately 2,000 sites across the country. EPA, state and university
scientists analyzed the data to determine the extent to which rivers and
streams support aquatic life, how major stressors may be affecting them and how
conditions are changing over time.
Findings of the assessment include:
- Nitrogen and phosphorus are at excessive levels.
Twenty-seven percent of the nation’s rivers and streams have excessive levels
of nitrogen, and 40 percent have high levels of phosphorus. Too much nitrogen
and phosphorus in the water—known as nutrient pollution—causes significant
increases in algae, which harms water quality, food resources and habitats, and
decreases the oxygen that fish and other aquatic life need to survive. Nutrient
pollution has impacted many streams, rivers, lakes, bays and coastal waters for
the past several decades, resulting in serious environmental and human health
issues, and impacting the economy.
- Streams and rivers are
at an increased risk due to decreased vegetation cover and increased human
disturbance. These conditions can cause streams and rivers to
be more vulnerable to flooding, erosion, and pollution. Vegetation along rivers
and streams slows the flow of rainwater so it does not erode stream banks,
removes pollutants carried by rainwater and helps maintain water temperatures
that support healthy streams for aquatic life. Approximately 24 percent of the
rivers and streams monitored were rated poor due to the loss of healthy
vegetative cover.
- Increased bacteria
levels. High bacteria levels were found in nine percent of
stream and river miles making those waters potentially unsafe for swimming and
other recreation.
- Increased mercury levels. More
than 13,000 miles of rivers have fish with mercury levels that may be unsafe
for human consumption. For most people, the health risk from mercury by eating
fish and shellfish is not a health concern, but some fish and shellfish contain
higher levels of mercury that may harm an unborn baby or young child's
developing nervous system.
EPA plans to use this new data to inform decision making about
addressing critical needs around the country for rivers, streams, and other
waterbodies. This comprehensive survey will also help develop improvements to
monitoring these rivers and streams across jurisdictional boundaries and
enhance the ability of states and tribes to assess and manage water quality to
help protect our water, aquatic life, and human health. Results
are available for a dozen geographic and ecological regions of the country.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/aquaticsurveys
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