Tittle: In South Florida, a Polluted Bubble Ready to Burst
Author: Lizette Alvarez
Date Published: September 8, 2013
This article is about in May huge downpours ushered in the most significant threat in almost a decade to the bulging lake and its 80 year old earthen dike a turn of events with far reaching consequences. The summer rains set off a chain reaction that devastated 3 major estuaries far to the east and west.The Army Corps of Engineers chose the second choose ( to release billions of gallons of polluted water into delicate estuaries to the east and west). The rush of fresh water from the lake and the estuaries' own river basins, along with the pollutants carried in from farms, ranches, septic tanks and golf courses, has crippled the estuaries and, on the east coast of the state, the Indian River Lagoon. Algae caused by pollutants quickly spread & fresh water overpowered saltwater, oysters died in droves. Manatees, shellfish and the sea grasses and reefs that help sustain the estuaries all were badly hit. Rick Scott visited the affected areas last month and propose spending a total of $130 million for 2 separate projects. A top priority is repairing the frail Harbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee, which is more then half the size of Rhode Island and is renowned for its bass fishing.
Author: Lizette Alvarez
Date Published: September 8, 2013
This article is about in May huge downpours ushered in the most significant threat in almost a decade to the bulging lake and its 80 year old earthen dike a turn of events with far reaching consequences. The summer rains set off a chain reaction that devastated 3 major estuaries far to the east and west.The Army Corps of Engineers chose the second choose ( to release billions of gallons of polluted water into delicate estuaries to the east and west). The rush of fresh water from the lake and the estuaries' own river basins, along with the pollutants carried in from farms, ranches, septic tanks and golf courses, has crippled the estuaries and, on the east coast of the state, the Indian River Lagoon. Algae caused by pollutants quickly spread & fresh water overpowered saltwater, oysters died in droves. Manatees, shellfish and the sea grasses and reefs that help sustain the estuaries all were badly hit. Rick Scott visited the affected areas last month and propose spending a total of $130 million for 2 separate projects. A top priority is repairing the frail Harbert Hoover Dike surrounding Lake Okeechobee, which is more then half the size of Rhode Island and is renowned for its bass fishing.
The reason why I choose this article are I want to learn more about water pollution, which country have water pollution and how they solve it? The damage to the estuaries has been so profound and the clamor from local communities so intense that political leaders have pledged action. They intended to ease some of the pressure on Lake Okeechobee by allowing more water to go south into the Everglades, where it should flow naturally. The water will flow under a series of bridges that will be completed over the Tamiami Trail. By law, the water flowing into the Everglades is filtered and treated, unlike the water that heads to the estuaries. My question when I'm reading the article is that why most if the flow from the lake is pushed east and west? And the answer is South Florida was expressly engineered to prevent too much water from moving south.They have 2 project to do, the 1st one is clean more of the polluted water in the St. Lucie River Basin that flows into the river. There are plans for a similar storm water treatment area on the west coast to help curb the damage. The 2nd is quickly moving forward is 1 to store more water outside the lake, including on private property, and another to unclog culverts south of the lake.