It's clear to me!

Submitted by Carissa Summers on Mon, 2017-07-10 00:00

What ecosystem service do you value the most in my watershed? Why?  Clean water is my final answer. At first, I had responded that recreation was my answer. However, after sharing with my partner, I changed my mind. Without clean water, all aspects would be affected if our waters are not clean. As simple as drinking water, as I have experienced with my son's backpacking experience last summer, filtering our drinking water, to kayaking and fishing the Cascade Lake - smelling the rotten dead fish and algae. Hiking to mountain lakes and seeing the crystal clear water is now even more appreciated.

Digi-learners - How would you respond to this question? And what is your favorite memory of water?

 

 

 

Comments

Fabiola Stewart's picture

Do you know that is really what I wondered so much when I first came out to Idaho. First, in Costa Rica we have a rainy season for half the year where buckets and buckets of water is poured on constantly. Then moving to the South where there are rivers, creeks and streams everywhere and we have these major rain storms where flooding is an issue constantly, not to mention the high humidity. Moving to Idaho, I remember feeling very much like a fish out of water. Then it's been interesting as I have been now living as an Idahoan to see where water is not as abundant. My father-in-law is a chief civil engineer for the Pubic Works department for the City of Meridian and it is interesting the bits that I learn from him how much planning and major decisions occur based to manage the water especially for sustainability. It's a new perspective that I am beginning to have so quite more to learn about. 

I do not have my memories of water from here in Idaho, but I love spending time in the rainforest or on the beach back home. 

 

 

I was

Fabiola Stewart's picture

Hey Carissa, 

Not sure of all the things you will be learning and when but like I said about Rhet's dad, he is actually has a big part in making some big decision for water management. Something interesting Warren told Rhet there is a big part of the aquafer here in the Treasure Valley that we are not able to use for quite a long time. Apparently there is a bloom somewhere under Boise where back in teh 70s and 80s, a concentration of dry cleaners in Boise were dumping a chemical where it has created this bloom contaminating the water; it's toxic and cannot be drunk?/drunken?/drinked? (English!!!). Anyways, because it flows so slowly it will take quite a bit of time to flush out of aquafer into the ocean. As they test residential and commercial wells, they determine which are out of commision and for how long. 

 I thought it was interesting and I had no idea. 

PS. all this talk about water, rainfall, etc is making me homesick. As I have been out hunting with Rhet, something different I noticed since there isn't trees everywhere, how between the mountain ridges, how lush the vegetation is along the waterway is. Of course that is where the wildlife will collect. Water brings life. All organisms will need and require clean water in order to survive. In regards to this bloom of chemical, it will be good for it to flush out of our aquafer but I can't help but think of the effect it will have on everything along the way and also in the ocean. 

Anyways, have fun. 

Brian Zuber's picture

Hey Carissa! Glad you signed up for MILES this summer, you will have a blast!

My favorite water memory is recreation, whether it is swimming, boating, spending the day at a water park . . . I love being surrounded by water, how it cools the air and brings vitality to the spirit. I love water fountains that you can just hang out by and enjoy the wet ambiance. Sadly, water parks and fountains aren't always the most sustainable choice, especially in a desert climate like southwest Idaho. When I drive by housing developments decorating with fountains, I both enjoy them and get irritated, especially when they are merely decorative and not in a more park-like setting.