Bad news for Patapsco river / harbor

[27 sailfish]

Posted: Wednesday, April 25, 2012 9:33 am
Algae bloom follows latest Patapsco sewage spill PAMELA WOOD Staff Writer CapitalGazette.com | 0 comments
First came the sewage, now comes the algae bloom.
The Patapsco River is seeing a large bloom of prorocentrum minimum algae, likely due to a massive sewage spill one month ago.

The Department of Natural Resources can't confirm the link yet, but officials said it makes sense that the influx of nutrient-rich sewage is driving the growth of the current algae bloom.
About 17 millions of untreated sewage flowed into the river per day for several days after a 54-inch pipe burst near the Patapsco Pumping Station in Baltimore County on March 25.
Last week, a monitoring station in Masonville Cove on the Patapsco started recording a spike in chlorophyll readings, said Mark Trice, who helps run the DNR Eyes on the Bay monitoring program.
Chlorophyll indicates the presence of algae in the water.
Tests showed the algae to be prorocentrum minimum, a variety of mahogany tide that can tint the water a reddish-brown color.
It's not clear how long the algae bloom will last — it depends on the weather and how many nutrients flow into the river and feed the algae, said Cathy Wazniak, a water quality expert with the DNR.
With so much algae in the water, the dissolved oxygen levels have dropped, meaning there is too little oxygen for fish, crabs and shellfish to live in that area right now.
The Patapsco algae bloom is one of several examples of earlier-than-usual algae blooms across the Chesapeake Bay this spring.
For information on algae blooms and water quality, the DNR posts data at www.eyesonthebay.net.

[Tom Hughes]

It's not clear how long the algae bloom will last.

The way the Patapsco flushes it will probable be all summer.

If we only had some menhaden to help solve the problem, they live on algae.

[hippie]

Right as I get my boat ready to run-the first time in 4 years!

[CAGE RATTLER]

The way the Patapsco flushes

I think that's the magic words. It's a freakin toilet again.
And I moved my boat from back river to the patapsco in hopes of saving fuel and doing some local fishing this year.

[Capt. John Deering]

why don't these idiots go to jail?

[davepjr71]

You or I would get a fine for dumping anything in the water or a drainage ditch and the government and big businesses pretty much get away with anything.

[buckshotgumbo]

Boggles the mind.
So, my question is, what can we do?
Can enough people forward the article to enough sources that eventually it gets press, or is it something like Pat Kelly said where it just gets brushed under the carpet like nobody gives a damn?
Is a petition the way to go? I'd sign it.
What's the next step?
And, I know there's a similar thread in conservation, but hopefully this will stay here to maybe get some more views and coverage.

[fishforum]

I was down there today and the water was horrible! This is exactly why I just moved my boat back to the SR.

[27 sailfish]

buckshot - It's a complicated mess. The pipe system is well past it's intended use period and is also carrying much more then designed for. Double edged sword there.

The cost to replace the sewage pipes is staggering. Right now , it's mostly a patch / repair type deal.

Without getting into politics - one problem - IMHO - is most in government do not truely care for the bay. When was last time you saw any fishing or boating ?

What can we do ? Few years ago , I got sick as a dog from scuba diving in the bay , when Sandy Point got closed. I was set to take a 55 gallon drum of sewage to Annapolis and dump it in the state building. Figured they do not mind me swimming in it - they should not mind it all over their floor.

Got talked out of that stunt - risk of a felony was brought up.

Only good thing - I think EPA is going to one day step in to fix the older sewage pipes. Question is - can bay take many more spills ?

[buckshotgumbo]

Yeah... probably a good thing you got talked out of that. Been funny to see it on the news though!
I recognize that its a difficult and complex problem to tackle, but as we all know, its not going to get better. Nor is it going to get cheaper.
Ya know, considering the size, history and importance of our Bay, I'm a little surprised there's not more interest.
Which gets me to thinking. I've got a buddy that owns a production company that does alot of NatGeo filming... maybe I need to pitch a show idea..