Toilets
July 29th, 2010 | by Kerry
Gerber 1.1 gal/flush toilet at Riverbend
Toilets may seem pretty low on the list of exciting topics, but for our rivers, toilets are a huge issue! That’s because toilets are such a huge water user — and most of that water is wasted, contributing to both low-flow problems and pollution. Replacing toilets can save water, save money and save our rivers. And you’ll save on sewer charges, or prolong the longevity of your septic system, by installing more water-efficient toilets. (more…)
First Fish Kill of 2010
July 27th, 2010 | by Kerry
Fish kill in Lubbers Brook, Wilmington; photo by Suzanne Sullivan
IRWA’s volunteer monitors Suzanne Sullivan and Martha Stevenson have monitored the headwaters of the Ipswich River for fourteen years. Suzanne just sent me an email with the following report of dry conditions in Lubbers Brook and part of Martins Brook:
“Things are not looking good here in the Headwaters/Wilmington. Lubbers is completely dry for probably a half mile stretch. Started to go dry end of June, photos attached… we did document the brook drawn dry in the “higher” spots near the rail road tracks/ Middlesex Canal. We also have a problem with the railroad depositing ballast directly in the brook where it crosses under the tracks. Any suggestions one might have to address this issue would be greatly appreciated. (more…)
The Water Closet: July 26, 2010
July 26th, 2010 | by Middleton Stream Team
WATER RESOURCE AND CONSERVATION INFORMATION
FOR MIDDLETON, BOXFORD AND TOPSFIELD
Precipitation Data* for Month of:             Apr    May  June    July
30 Year Normal (1971 – 2000) Inches:    4.17   3.63  3.58     3.50
2010 Central Watershed Actual:             2.09   2.74  1.61** 0.95 to 3 PM 7/20
Ipswich River Flow Rate (S. Middleton USGS Gage) in Cubic Feet per Second (CFS):
For July 20, 2010: Normal . 7.8 CFS Current Rate . 4.3 CFS
The Water Closet: July 26, 2010
July 26th, 2010 | by Middleton Stream Team
GREAT PLASTIC CATCHING GYRES
North and Central America as all of us know, but Columbus didn’t, are flanked by vast oceans with great water gyres that move clockwise between the old and new worlds. The Kuroshio and Humboldt Currents in the Pacific and the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic sweep along the continental shelves where they pick up floating debris from rivers. For millions of years they’ve collected natural wood and corpses, which rot away in not much time to harmless CO2 and H2O. In the last .0001 million years manmade plastic has joined (more…)
