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Data
from an ongoing study indicates that water quality in both branches
of the AuSable River steadily declines as it moves downstream and
passes through places of human habitation.
According to AuSable River Association
Executive Director Dr. Carol Treadwell, both the east and west
branches of the AuSable River begin as relatively uncontaminated
streams, but become continually more concentrated with dissolved
solids as the water moves downstream.
“Some source, human or natural, is
contributing a large content of ions,” Treadwell said. “We don’t
know what they are, but we will be spending next summer finding that
out.”
Initiated in 2009, the AuSable River
Association water quality study measures the amount of particulate
and dissolved pollution by measuring the water’s electrical
conductivity.
Treadwell suspects much of the
contamination originates from human activity and points to factors
like road salt, water runoff and clearing vegetation along
riverbanks as a few possible reasons for increased contamination
levels.
“It seems like there may be a large
contribution from the roads,” Treadwell said.
A recently completed study by Paul
Smith’s College and ADK Action concluded that road salt has
substantially raised the sodium levels of numerous Adirondack water
bodies.
The research found especially high
levels of contaminates near state Route 73 in Jay and the Keeseville
Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Treadwell said that increased
particulate and dissolved contamination could devastate trout
spawning grounds and decimate the fish population.
In 2003 the state Department of
Environmental Conservation estimated that fishing tourism on the
AuSable alone has a $3.8 million economic impact on the region.
Officials estimate the current
regional economic impact of the fly fishing industry could be in
excess of $5 million annually.
Currently, five businesses that
specialize in providing gear and guiding service along the AuSable
employ as many as 51 area residents during the fly fishing season.
Treadwell suggests that municipalities
begin spring road cleaning earlier than usual at sites close to the
river. She also said vegetative replanting along the river’s banks
could stem much of the erosion that is dumping tons of particulates
into the AuSable each year.
Essex County Department of Soil and
Water Director David Reckahn said each year the county and hundreds
of residents plant between 5,000 and 10,000 trees, many of them
along the banks of the AuSable.
Treadwell and her research team will
spend the 2010 summer-season trying to pin down the exact sources of
the contaminants.
-Jon
Alexander, 3-9-10
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