What pollutes the Connecticut River?

What pollutes the Connecticut River?

SPRINGFIELD — Every year, the city’s antiquated, inadequate sewage system pumps hundreds of thousands of pounds of pollution into the Connecticut River, sending it flowing south through Connecticut and eventually into Long Island Sound. The nitrogen-contaminated waters then pour out directly into the river.

What is the problem with river pollution?

Too much sediment in rivers causes a range of problems, including reducing amenity, smothering plants and habitats, clogging the gills of fish, reducing growth of food sources and/or hindering hunting by visual predators.

How dirty is the Connecticut River?

“The Connecticut River often is very clean for swimming and boating,” said Ryan O’Donnell, a water quality monitoring coordinator with the Connecticut River Conservancy, a group that helps maintain New England’s longest river.

What things are special about the Connecticut River watershed?

The Connecticut River and its tributaries support most of the known viable populations of the federally endangered dwarf wedgemussel. The Sil- vio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge is the only multi-state, watershed-wide refuge in the US Fish and Wildlife Refuge system.

Is the Connecticut River safe to swim in?

Unfortunately, the river is not always clean enough for swimming and/or boating due to elevated E. coli bacteria levels associated with stormwater runoff and combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

Is the Connecticut River salt water?

The Connecticut River is tidal from Long Island Sound to Hartford, CT and during low flows beyond that all the way to Windsor Locks, CT. Named the salt wedge because saltwater is heavier than freshwater; consequently, it runs along the bottom of the river channel while the fresh water flows on top.

What are the top 3 causes of water pollution?

The Causes of Water Pollution

1. Industrial Waste. Industries and industrial sites across the world are a major contributor to water pollution.
2. Marine Dumping.
3. Sewage and Wastewater.
4. Oil Leaks and Spills.
5. Agriculture.
6. Global Warming.
7. Radioactive Waste.

How can we protect rivers from pollution?

Don’t throw any solid waste into the water streams as it clogs the flow of water thereby leading to pollution. Avoid releasing construction waste into the river. Use organic gardening techniques and avoid using pesticides and other herbicides. Avoid releasing harmful chemicals and oils into storm drains or rivers.

Is the Connecticut River swimmable?

Are there sharks in Connecticut River?

Sharks in Connecticut Experts say there are only four species of shark found there – the sand tiger shark, the brown shark and two types of dogfish. These sharks feed on small schooling fish and invertebrates- not seals. So when it comes to the sound, you’re safe to swim.

Why is the Connecticut River so important?

The evolution of the Connecticut River began with its emergence over 10,000 years ago at the end of the last ice age. The Connecticut River’s importance as a trade route continued to increase, with English settlers moving up into New Hampshire and Vermont in search of pelts and other marketable goods.

Can you swim in the Connecticut River?

How many obstructions are there on the Connecticut River?

Yet more than 3,000 of these obstructions still impound the tributaries of the Connecticut River, with adverse impacts on river health, flooding, local economies, and community quality of life.

What is the Connecticut River watershed?

Foreword and Acknowledgments vi The Connecticut River Watershed: Conserving the Heart of New England The Connecticut River is New England’s great river and one of only 14 designated American Heritage Rivers.

Are there any dams on the Connecticut River?

The Connecticut remains among the most extensively dammed rivers in the nation. Many of those dams are now obsolete. Yet more than 3,000 of these obstructions still impound the tributaries of the Connecticut River, with adverse impacts on river health, flooding, local economies, and community quality of life.

Why is there no major city on the Connecticut River?

Due to the heavy silt loads carried by the river that obstruct ship navigation, the Connecticut is one of the few major rivers in the United States without a major city at its mouth. Its largest cities—Hartford and Springfield—lie 45 and 69 miles upriver, respectively.