ipl-logo

Michigan River Case Study

1028 Words5 Pages

Identify the problem: In a vast array of Michigan lakes, a crusty brown algae is spoiling the waters it comes into contact with. (Some lakes include Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and Lake Charlevoix). Pinpoint Causes of the Problem: From an undetermined source, groundwater nutrients nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are penetrating the lake at abnormal levels. However, a few leads have been suspected. These culprits include invasive mussels, heavy ice cover the last two years, residential and agricultural runoff, and outdated septic systems. Envision Solution: Once the source of the outpouring nitrogen and phosphorus has been identified, we must work to control the groundwater nutrient contamination from further nutrient pollution. Runoff and …show more content…

It is now up to administrative agencies, such as the EPA, to see that our policy is carried out, and ensure the safe treatment of Michigan lakes. Some regulations that would hopefully be carried out include further restrictions on littering in lakes, strictly prohibiting the act of groundwater nutrient pollution near affected lakes, and a regulation that taxes citizens who own an outdated septic system. All of these would help cut down on the formation of algae in the lakes, making them ready for cleaning. Once these lakes are cleaned, it is important for our law the then be assessed for revisions. At this point, the source of contamination would most likely be pinpointed. Due to this, it is now possible for the law to contain specific regulations regarding the further prevention of future algae outbreaks. Regardless, hopefully by the time the destructive judicial branch gets ahold of this law the lakes will be restored to their former glory, in this way the job of this law is fulfilled, and the solution has been reached! With the help of the people, and of course a few strings needed to be pulled here and there, it is realistic to shoot for such goals, especially with the aid and support of envisioning Michiganders, that may even set a positive and inspiring example for other communities in the USA and around the

Show More
Related

  • Almaden Lake Case Study

    463 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many neighbors of Almaden Lake are against it because they feel that their are many more solutions that could work and are cheaper. They feel this way due to the money used for the system will be out of the district parks funds and they think the money should be used for other things like better campgrounds, supplies, and etc.. but at the same time they feel it would benefit tremendously because they can finally eat the fish out of the lake, bring more fishermen to the lake, and will be a better attraction for people. At this time, the park is currenting maintaining the mercury levels with solar powered circulation systems but they are temporary . So far though, the circulators have not improved the reservoirs’ water quality. They are many other solutions but none are permanent, the park will continue using this system until they can follow through with the oxygenation system.

    Read More

  • Mille Lacs Lake Case Study

    1610 Words  | 7 Pages

    For decades, there has been tension between Native American fishermen and non-native fishermen over the fishing rights on Mille Lacs Lake. This tension has increased, particularly because of the sustainability and quality of Mille Lacs Lake, and the Supreme Court’s ruling in Minnesota against Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa Indians. The Court claimed that the Chippewa Indians retained their rights to hunt and fish on ceded lands as established by the 1837 Treaty of St. Peters. Usufruct rights are rights of enjoyment to another’s property allowing the holder to generate income from the property without obtaining ownership. This right to hunt and fish on ceded lands is further protected from state regulation by the 1837 Treaty of St. Peters.

    Read More

  • The Zebra Mussels

    985 Words  | 4 Pages

    Eversince the invasion of Zebra mussels in 1988 the ecosystem of The Great Lakes suffered negative impacts from decrease of plankton to spending big numbers every year to try to remove them from the ecosystem. But little do people know they also help brought Lake erie (one of the 5 great lakes) back to life, during the 1970s Lake Erie was declared dead since massive amounts of pollution were dumped into the Lake from agriculture industry. The pollution caused the Lake to have less oxygen which caused some parts of the lakes to be a dead zone. Overall this can be concluded to have negative impact to the ecosystem of the Great Lakes, but there are some positive impacts too. The primary objective should be to remove the Zebra mussels from the great lakes even though the had positive impacts, the zebra mussels don’t belong in this ecosystem.

    Read More

  • How Did Water Shaped Michigan

    1189 Words  | 5 Pages

    Throughout this paper we will be discussing how water truly created the shape of Michigan. From century to century, there have been many contributing factors, such as glaciers, rivers and lakes, along with human alterations that have made the state of Michigan what it is today. In the last hundreds of millions of years many things have assisted in forming the foundation that helped developed Michigan, but what actually created the surface of Michigan into the shape that as we know it as today was not accomplished until late in the Pleistocene. The Pleistocene is relating to the first epoch of the Quaternary period, between the Pliocene and Holocene epochs.

    Read More

  • How Did Water Shaped Michigan

    1627 Words  | 7 Pages

    This paper looks at the fresh waters of the Great Lakes State: glaciers, rivers, and people. All of these factors contributed to the shape of this state in one way or another. This paper will show how these factors shaped Michigan into the state it is today. What is a glacier?

    Read More

  • The Zebra Mussel Incident

    1146 Words  | 5 Pages

    THE ZEBRA MUSSEL INCIDENT The Zebra Mussel Incident Zebra Mussels are an invasive species which now dominate the Great Lakes region, they were introduced in the 1980’s and ever since then their quantities have increased dramatically. Since the time they arrived they have caused many problems including problems in the ecosystem and with the economy. Human’s have been trying ever since their arrival to eliminate or reduce their quantities but not much progress has been made. Right now Zebra Mussels are one of the biggest issues affecting the great lakes.

    Read More

  • Wisconsin Waterways

    1298 Words  | 6 Pages

    History of Waterways Wisconsin is home to many large bodies of water. It borders two great lakes: Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The western border is made up of both the St. Croix River and the Mississippi River. The treasured Wisconsin River runs through the state, and according to Sweeny-Justice (n.d.) the land has 15,074 lakes (only 40% are large enough to name).

    Read More

  • Clean Water Act 1973

    492 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Ohio river ranked first for toxic discharges in 2007 followed by the Mississippi . U.S. legislation enacted in 1972 to restore and maintain clean and healthy waters. The work was very treacherous and took a long time to accomplish. In the late sixties people noticed that our waters were very unhealthy

    Read More

  • By The River Analysis

    1338 Words  | 6 Pages

    by the river is a verse-novel by Steven Herrick. The text is a coming of age novel, in which Harry Hodby, the main protagonist, reflects on his life in a quiet Australian country-town, where he encounters many hardships, leading to him wanting to escape. The novel scrutinises the theme of growing from childhood to adolescence, whilst exploring the many challenges and vicissitudes that it 's growing characters face along the journey. During this journey, Harry and classmate, Johnny Barlow, encounter many challenges to do with learning that in a small country-town they must decide whether to accept or revolt against the judgment of others. Harry must also learn the challenging aspect of handling new lust related emotions, whilst both boys must

    Read More

  • The Whistling River Analysis

    968 Words  | 4 Pages

    Paul Bunyan Tames the Whistling River By John Chan CAST Narrator Paul Bunyan a giant lumberjack Babe a blue ox, Paul’s sidekick The Whistling River an obnoxious, loud, winding river Squeaky Swanson a lumberjack with a loud voice Logger: a local lumberjack Narrator: The tale of the Whistling River takes place in the early 19th century in the early United States. One sunny day, Paul Bunyan was relaxing on a hill by the river.

    Read More

  • Case Study: The San Joaquin River

    141 Words  | 1 Pages

    The San Joaquin river has dried up because of the Southern California drought and the installation of Friant Dam. There has been a debate on whether to restore the river or to leave as it is. Most people that disagree with the restoration is because it will take 20% of the farmers water, that could be used for their crops instead. On the other hand, if California spends their money to restore the San Joaquin the residents will have their own water and river, it will increase the population of salmon, and it would only be fair.

    Read More

  • Cuyahoga River Research Paper

    400 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Cleveland, Ohio there was a fire that occurred on June 22, 1969, around 12pm on the Cuyahoga river. People called it the “burning river”. The river caught on fire because there were floating pieces of debris that was slicked with oil. The debris ignited by sparks that came from a train that was passing over the river. The reason it happened is from years of people dumping pollution into the river.

    Read More

  • Zebra Mussels Research Paper

    1493 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Laurentian Great Lakes contain twenty percent of the worlds freshwater and due to recent human interaction they have become attacked by many Invasive species. In fact, there have been at least 162 unintentionally introduced species established in the Great Lakes (Vásárhelyi & Thomas, 2003). These species have caused numerous economic and environmental problems. Moreover, “invasive species control costs the Great Lakes Basin an estimated 5.7 billion dollars a year” (Pimentel, 2005). The mass spreading of Zebra Mussels, which are an invasive species, have contributed to these problems.

    Read More

  • Stormwater Best Management Practices Essay

    507 Words  | 3 Pages

    United States The emergence and development of the stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) and Low Impact Development (LID) in the United States has closely associated with the regulatory history of water quality control, especially the Clean Water Act (CWA). Ever since the Industrial Revolution in the mid-19th century, water pollution has become a serious issue in the United States. But it was not until 1948, Congress passed the first major law to address water pollution, which was the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Unfortunately, with limited enforcement power, the act has done little to combat environmental degradation. Factories were still dumping untreated industrial chemical waste directly into rivers, and the rapidly increased urbanization intensified water pollution with untreated sewage.

    Read More

  • Love Canal Case Study

    1307 Words  | 6 Pages

    An article introducing the proposal of the Love canal clean up stated, “that steps must be taken now to deal with abandoned waste sites…proposed legislation for the Administration-sponsored ‘super fund’ plan that would establish a $1.6 billion fund for hazardous waste cleanups.” (“Congress Maps Legislative Attack on Hazardous Wastes,” 1979). After state and federal agencies spent millions on trying to contribute to the clean up of Love Canal, the government developed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, also known as the ‘Superfund’ (Brook, 2006). The purpose of Superfund is to collect taxes from chemical and gas companies and in return, use the money to clean up any sites such as the Love Canal.

    Read More

More about Michigan River Case Study

Open Document