Federation Blog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_7p_wUbbAM&feature=youtu.be

 

Waterkeeper Celebrates Clean Water Act 40th Anniversary from W2 Films on Vimeo.

This morning (Oct 7, 2011) I took my first flight in a small aircraft in 32 years. I rode with my collegue and board member Lynn Buehl over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Bay Bridge Aiport and the whole drive I was fraught with excitment and trepedation. I always have been nervous about heights and have always been a nervous flyer. Lynn and I meet our pilot that flew down from New Jersey to take us on our adventure over the South River Watershed. Pilot Mr. Mike McNamara is one of many volunteer pilots for a non-profit group called LightHawk. This is a great organization set-up to provide flights to other non-profits or academics for research and advocay. I submitted a proposal to search for SAV, clean-water plumes, and 5 legacy landfills. As I first got in the plane, my thought was "oh my goodness, I am not going to make it". But, as we tore down the runway toward the Chesapeake Bay and delicately lifted off into the air and over the Bay Bridge- I became totally filled with excitement and started taking pictures. Being in a small plane over the Chesapeake Bay and the South River is indescribably amazing. I was horrified at the amounts of debris still in the Bay. Then, as we approach the South River- both Lynn and I became very distressed at how our beatiful South River looked. Sediment plumes and oil plumes everywhere- brown water all over. Then as week approached South River Farm Park, where Pam Wood of the Capitol and I kayaked looking for our Submerged Aquatic Vegetation- the planes wings tipped and there is was. Our SAV survived Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee!! What a blessing that our grasses survived such storms!! I am showing 300 pictures, and although I am not a professional photographer, I hope you enjoy them.----Diana, South Riverkeeper

From SRF Red Flag

Due to Hurricane Irene this past weekend - which dropped about 6 inches of rain on the South River watershed - causing the bacteria concentration to be at unsafe levels for swimming, we have put out our red "caution" flag at the office. If you see this red flag hanging from our office balcony, then the South River is generally unsafe for swimming.--Diana

The South River Federation has a 1998, 130 HP Honda Outboard that we are taking offers on. Great for parts or a person that would like to fix the ECM. Please contact our office at 410-224-3802 Diana

#	Site	8/3/2011
SR1	Hillsmere Shores	20
SR2	Glen Isle Community Association	4
SR3	Harbor Hills Association	14
SR4	South River Manor	10
SR5	Pine Whiff Community Association	174
SR6	South River Park Comm. Ass.	110
SR7	Selby Community Association	140
SR8	Londontown Beach 5	44
SR11	Wilelinor Community Association	390
SR12	Shoreham Beach Citizens Association	144

 

As you drive ovet the South River bridge, you will notice a large Red Flag- this flag represents that the majority of the stations on the South River are high in bacteria

 

The bacteria results are very indicative of the rain event that we had yesterday morning coupled with the Canada Goose problem in a couple of communities.

Above is the Enterococci bacteria results from 8-3-2011 sampling, as per the EPA BEACHs Act guidance document and the Maryland Department of the Environment's bacteria sampling; the concentration must be lower 104 (cfu/100ml) colony forming units/100ml. The bacteria results for several areas are above the limit of 104 colony forming units/100ml. Please remember that the guidance the State of Maryland gives is that there should be no primary contact with the South River after a rain event such as the one earlier this week, so please everyone take the proper precautions, shower after swimming, cover or do not go into the river with open wounds. The most at risk are children, elderly, immune compromised, and pregnant.

On a separate note: As the temperature of the water increases Vibrio growth as well- there has been a case recently of a elderly man with a Vibrio infection last week. Please use caution when recreating in the South River. If you do acquire a suspicious infection, see your doctor immediately as it is important to treat this infection as quickly as possible. If you or someone you know happens to get sick or gets an infection as a result of swimming in the water, please let us know and fill out the attached form and return it to us. The AA County Health Department has a great fact sheet on Vibrio, which is attached. Vibrio is found naturally occurring in all waters, but as the temperature increases so does the concentration of this bacteria.

With the extremely hot temperatures bacteria concentrations may proliferate in areas that are already contaminated. Please, pick up your pet waste and do not feed the ducks or geese. Leaving the shoreline un-mowed and using items that are sparkly will deter the waterfowl from coming ashore causing the bacteria contamination.

Take Care Swimming or Recreating,

Sincerely,

Diana

In a dual research roal between me and my wonderful colleagues, Dr. Muller, Commander Smith, and Captain Nicholson (USNA) we deployed what is known as a REMUS (Remote Environmental Measuring unitS). This instrument was one of many used in Operation Iraqi Freedom. This Iraqi War vet was responbile for mine sweeping, to keep our troops safe. It was donated to the Naval Academy for research. This amazing instrument is now being used in their part of Chesapeake Bay program research. The REMUS follows a pre-programmed multi-length path, maintaining constant depth. The sensors that the REMUS has are:GPS, side-scan sonar, temperature, depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, current speed and direction. I want to thank Captain Nicholson, Commander Smith and Dr. Muller for their time, knowledge and use of the instruement!---Diana

Good Morning All,

This weeks bacteria data had two communites that were above the allowable limit of 104cfu/100ml. These were Hillsmere and Pine Whiff. Congrats to the Glen Isle community for defeting the Canada Geese, I hope the deterants work all summer!!

Diana, South RIVERKEEPER

Enterococci (cfu/100ml)
#	Site	7/13/2011
SR1	Hillsmere Shores	1016
SR2	Glen Isle Community Association	12
SR3	Harbor Hills Association	14
SR4	South River Manor	28
SR5	Pine Whiff Community Association	196
SR6	South River Park Comm. Ass.	36
SR7	Selby Community Association	24
SR8	Londontown Beach 5	6
SR11	Wilelinor Community Association	84
SR12	Shoreham Beach Citizens Association	16

This week's bacteria data is below the acceptable limit of 104cfu/100ml.

South River Federation 2011 Enterococci Counts (cfu/100 ml)
#	Site	5/18/2011	5/25/2011	6/1/2011	6/8/2011	6/15/2011	6/22/2011	6/29/2011	7/6/2011
SR1	Hillsmere Shores	84	16	88	16	8	92	16	22
SR2	Glen Isle Community Association	272	2	3427	144	156	28	80	2
SR3	Harbor Hills Association	56	12	2	1	6	6	68	4
SR4	South River Manor	X	2	344	22	4	92	148	1
SR5	Pine Whiff Community Association	X	X	178	122	374	112	380	66
SR6	South River Park Comm. Ass.	20	8	160	20	22	4	16	14
SR7	Selby Community Association	X	X	X	10	16	74	48	66
SR8	Londontown Beach 5	X	X	X	X	X	X	60	26
SR11	Wilelinor Community Association	32	16	16	4	10	60	716	34
SR12	Shoreham Beach Citizens Association	184	4	86	4	1	1	40	6