Subscribe Now

Depending on your latitude (how far north or south you live), you may spot young painted turtles emerging from nests sometime between late May and mid-June. These turtles have been overwintering underground where they may have even been partially frozen! As turtles emerge from their nests, they will likely head for the closest body of [...]

A persistent icepack never formed over Lake Erie this past winter – the fourth warmest on record for the contiguous United States – and that has given smelly, blue-green algae a head start less than a year after it swelled to record levels.  This image, taken from NASA’s Terra Satellite, caught the roots of another [...]

Did you know that a dead zone the size of the state of New Jersey forms in the northern Gulf of Mexico every spring? A dead zone is an area of low-oxygen water that gets its name because aquatic wildlife either leaves the area or dies. One contributor to the formation of dead zones is [...]

Nitrogen is an important element for life on the Earth – it supports aquatic ecosystems by helping algae and aquatic plants grow, which provide food and habitat for fish, shellfish and other animals that live in streams, rivers and lakes.  But, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much nitrogen in [...]

You probably know that failing to maintain your septic tank could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs – just ask Jack and Greg from “Meet the Parents.”  But did you know that excess nitrogen, phosphorus and other toxins from leaky septic tanks can be washed into our waterways and oceans, where they can sicken [...]

What is a nitrogen footprint and why is it so important?  Well, just like a carbon footprint, a nitrogen footprint approximates how much nitrogen your daily activities produce over a period of time. Nitrogen is important because it builds our DNA, amino acids and proteins that grow the tissues of all living things.  Farmers use [...]

Did you know that sunlight helps aquatic plants grow, too?  Sunlight is an important element for photosynthesis, the process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to create energy to grow and live.  Sunlight entering the water can be blocked by algal blooms – accumulations of algae that form when there is too [...]

What does driving have to do with water pollution? Fuels burned while driving create nitrogen oxides that are released through a car’s tailpipe into the air. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the air we breathe and essential to plant and animal life – but too much of it can contribute to the formation [...]

The Mississippi River is the largest river in the United States – and one of the largest in the world! The Mississippi River Watershed covers over 1,245,000 square miles and drains all or part of 31 states, many of which are home to important agricultural areas. Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in fertilizers applied to agricultural [...]

Friday, April 27 is National Arbor Day.  Trees not only add beauty and value to our landscape, they also provide many environmental benefits.  In a year, a single healthy tree: Has the same cooling effect as ten room-sized air conditioners running continually. Absorbs 750 gallons of stormwater, preventing erosion and protecting water quality. Filters 60 [...]

Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of pet waste left outside wash down storm drains and into local waters. Pet waste can harm water quality in lakes, rivers and streams, making the water unsafe for drinking. Bacteria and nutrients from pet waste can turn fertile waters green from weed and algae growth, making the [...]

Installing a rain barrel at home can save water and have a significant impact on your water bill. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of rainfall in your area, you can collect a substantial amount of rainwater with a simple system. Rainwater stored in rain barrels can be used to water [...]

Animals like frogs and turtles are waiting out winter by submerging or freezing. As spring temperatures rise and their prey becomes active, reptiles and amphibians will make use of small pools of melt water called vernal ponds. These temporary pools are the breeding grounds and also the feeding grounds for many animals. As the spring [...]

As the weather warms up, washing your car on the street or in your driveway may seem harmless, but do you ever wonder where all the dirt, grime and soap go after washing down your driveway and into the storm drain? Most storm drains discharge water directly into a local lake, stream or river untreated. [...]

Are you spring cleaning? Cleaning products like soaps and detergents keep our clothes, dishes and floors looking their best.  But some of the chemicals found in these products impact water quality in our streams and rivers. Many soaps and detergents use phosphates as cleansers. When soapy water goes down the drain, it ends up at [...]

Each year, about 1.4 million metric tons  of nitrogen reach the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River and its watershed.  Much of this pollution comes from rain water runoff from roadways, lawn and gardens, sewage treatment plants and agricultural areas.  The Mississippi River provides essential water for fishing, floating, boating and swimming, but too [...]

Each year, World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd. Wetlands come in many forms and go by many names – estuaries, bogs, mangrove swamps, vernal pools, marshes, riparian wetlands, cypress swamps, playa lakes and more! Wetland areas improve water quality, provide flood protection and support tons of fish, wildlife and plants. If you’ve been [...]

Did you know that most people in the United States live within a mile of a river or stream? More than 60 percent of our drinking water comes from rivers and streams, which also support a variety of wildlife and fish, and provide many recreation opportunities. Fishing alone generates an estimated 116 billion dollars in [...]

During the winter months, salt and sand applied to our roads, driveways and sidewalks contribute to lake and stream pollution. Fifty pounds of salt – one large bag – can pollute 10,000 gallons of water.  That’s equivalent to one teaspoon of salt in a five-gallon bucket of water. Viewer Tip: Many cities and states are [...]

Did you know that the Mississippi River provides drainage for 41 percent of the continental United States?  This means that if a single drop of rain falls anywhere in this area, which includes all or part of 31 states and two Canadian provinces, it becomes a part of the Mississippi River Watershed.  The fate of [...]