Beaver Water District announces results of 2009 Secchi water-clarity study

NEWS RELEASE: Beaver Lake Monitoring Results Released-Nov 10 2009‏
From: Amy L. Wilson (AWilson@bwdh2o.org)
Sent: Tue 11/10/09 4:30 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amy L. Wilson, Director of Public Affairs
Beaver Water District
479-756-3651
awilson@bwdh2o.org
RESULTS OF PUBLIC MONITORING OF BEAVER LAKE
According to sampling and measurements conducted on Aug. 29 by 32 teams of volunteer citizen scientists at 34 sampling points, the water quality of Beaver Lake in 2009 compares well with results from sampling and measurements from the past three years of data. More than 200 people participated in the 4th Annual Secchi Day (pronounced like “Becky”). The event is co-sponsored each year by Beaver Water District, Audubon Arkansas, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Beaver Lake, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
Secchi depth is a measure of water transparency that involves lowering a black and white disk into the water and recording the measurement when the disk is no longer visible. Deeper depths indicate water that is clearer than shallower depths. In addition to Secchi depth readings, volunteers also collect water samples that are tested by Beaver Water District’s lab.
“As usual, the measurements show we have good water quality in the northern portion of Beaver Lake, nearer the dam and poorer water quality upstream, which is what you would expect. That’s because water quality in large, manmade reservoirs improves as the water moves downstream and sediment and pollutants settle out,” said Dr. Robert Morgan, Manager of Environmental Quality for the District.
Secchi measurements this year ranged from less than one meter (a little over three feet) in the White River arm of the lake to more than 5.8 meters in the area of the Beaver Dam.
“The transparency of water is related to the concentration of particles, either organic, such as algae, or inorganic, such as sediment,” Morgan explained. “During most years, sediment has settled out of the water by August so transparency is mostly related to algae on Secchi Day. A shallow Secchi depth measurement indicates more algae in the water. Algal growth is not a health concern in Beaver Lake, but it can lead to taste and odor in drinking water. ”
Morgan said water transparency also may be related to weather conditions. Flooding causes lots of sediment to flow from tributaries into the lake. Increased sediment may also cause clarity of the water to decrease. For example, in 2008 Northwest Arkansas experienced two significant floods in the spring during which the flood gates at Beaver Dam were opened. The greatest Secchi depth recorded that year was 3.4 meters, more than 2 meters less than this year’s maximum. That makes sense, considering the fact that total rainfall for 2008 was almost 11 inches above average.
Each year, Beaver Water District’s lab technicians measure chlorophyll a, total phosphorous, and nitrate in each of the water samples. Chlorophyll a is a pigment in algae that is used to measure the density of the algal population in water. This year, the lake had chlorophyll a concentrations ranging from greater than 20 parts per billion in the headwaters of the lake to less than 3 parts per billion near the dam, which illustrates the gradient of water quality through the reservoir. Studies indicate that the potential for taste and odor events increases dramatically when chlorophyll a concentration reaches about 10 parts per billion. Phosphorous and nitrate are both nutrients that promote algal growth. As would be expected, the lake exhibited decreasing total phosphorous concentrations as samples moved from the headwaters of the White River to Beaver Dam. Nitrate concentrations increased from the headwaters to the dam as they have the past three years.
“Phosphorus from fertilizer and other sources attaches to soil particles. Storm water runoff carries with it a lot of soil particles and phosphorous. This is what is meant by the term ‘non-point source water pollution,’ ” Morgan said. “We want to reduce the amount of phosphorous that is entering Beaver Lake. We all need to understand that each of us contributes to pollution entering the lake. We all need to take responsibility for the actions we take that add to the pollution in the lake.”
Water quality is impacted by many human activities, including fertilizer runoff from lawns, erosion from unpaved county roads, and erosion from stream banks. Where residents have cleared stream side vegetation (also known riparian buffers) it is easier for the banks to erode. Eroding banks contribute sediment to the stream and degrade the water quality.
“All of these activities can negatively impact water clarity and water quality in Beaver Lake,” he said. “The District and its partners in Secchi Day are committed to educating the community about best management practices that will curb impacts from these activities and protect the lake’s water quality. After all, Beaver Lake is our drinking water. And abundant, quality drinking water is necessary for good health. It’s also essential for a strong economic base and for quality of life for Northwest Arkansans.”
Citizen scientists are the heart and soul when it comes to the success of Secchi Day, Morgan added.
“It simply wouldn’t be possible for one or two people to get this many measurements in one day,” he said. “I don’t have enough lab technicians to get it done in the time frame of a day. With the public’s help, we will have a whole decade of annual snapshots of Beaver Lake by 2015. This long-term data collection will allow us to evaluate trends in Beaver Lake. And it will be in large measure because we had an interested citizenry that cared about helping us monitor their drinking water source.”
Michelle Viney, Director of Conservation at Audubon Arkansas, agrees.
“We were very excited to see this many people getting outside, enjoying the lake, and participating in the hands-on activities of the event. Over the past four years, we’ve been able to grow and keep participation at about 200-plus people on the day of the event. In addition to hands-on sampling and measurement activities, Secchi Day offers watershed residents educational exhibits and networking opportunities. It’s a way for families and children to rally together to ensure that Beaver Lake continues to thrive for years to come.”
Viney added that a new activity this year was the opportunity to build and take home rain barrels; 29 people registered, built barrels, and are now capturing and using rain water instead of allowing it to rush off their property unused.
“This is a great way to reuse rain water and divert it so that it soaks into the ground where you live, rather than letting it potentially carry sediment with phosphorous and other nutrients into tributaries that then flow into Beaver Lake,” she said. “Getting involved like this and doing something that allows you to have a personal impact helps people invest in keeping Beaver Lake clean. It promotes awareness about how important Beaver Lake is for the health and economic welfare of Northwest Arkansas.”
As it stands today, Beaver Lake water quality is good, but it will take education and people changing behaviors and practices to make sure the water quality stays as good tomorrow as it is today.
“Any scientist will tell you that to be good stewards of our source water, we have to keep an eye on the lake so that we know how it changes over time,” Morgan said. “Only by collecting this and other data can we make a good analysis of the lake’s condition.”
A more detailed report and maps concerning Secchi Day 2009 may be accessed via the Beaver Water District website at www.bwdh2o.org. Next year’s event will be held on Aug. 21, 2010. For more information and a photographic slide show set to music, visit www.bwdh2o.org.

About Beaver Water District
Beaver Water District supplies drinking water to more than 250,000 people and industries in Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and surrounding areas. These cities then resell the water to surrounding towns and communities. The District’s mission is to serve our customers in the Benton and Washington County area by providing high quality drinking water that meets or exceeds all federal and state regulatory requirements in such quantities as meets their demands and is economically priced consistent with our quality standards. For more information, visit www.bwdh2o.org.

Veterans Memorial 5K entry form for 8 a.m. Saturday, November 7, 2009, linked below video

Walker Park Trail built through formerly thick grove of trees in the riparian zone of Spout Spring Branch, resulting in hideous erosion of stream banks and dangerous spots for people using the trail: curb and gutter and piping upstream on Government Ave. will make problem worse!

Please click on each image to go to Flickr site and see full photos.

Ducks Unlimited Banquet October 29, 2009, in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Please click on images to move to Flickr site and use magnifying tool above photo to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Green Groups Guild meeting Thursday

From: Green Groups Guild (ggg@listserv.uark.edu) on behalf of ggg (ggg@UARK.EDU)
Sent: Tue 10/13/09 2:31 PM
To: GGG@LISTSERV.UARK.EDU

Meeting 10/15/09 7:00 p.m.
209 Thompson Ave. Three Sisters Bldg on Dickson above Fez Hookah Lounge.
Patrick Kunnecke
GGG President
ASLA Vice President
4th Year Landscape Architecture Student
479-544-1906

Runners and Sponsors sought for Nov. 7, 2009, 5K veterans' memorial race to benefit Fayetteville National Cemetery

Please click on image to move to Flickr site and ENLARGE for easy reading. The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation meets at 10:30 a.m. Saturday October 10 and needs to add sponsor names to the file for the race T shirts and the brochures so that printing can begin. Already, Tyson Foods has donated at the Medal of Honor level and has challenged others to join them at the top of the list, thanks to the effort of RNCIC Secretary Peggy McClain.

Veterans' Memorial 5K race set for November 7, 2009, in Town Branch neighborhood: Sponsorship information below

The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation (RNCIC) is organizing a Veteran’s Memorial 5K race on Saturday, November 7th at the National Cemetery in Fayetteville. The purpose of this 5K race is to raise funds for purchase and clearing of land to expand the Cemetery and, even more importantly, to raise the awareness of the Cemetery and the ongoing threat of closure.
We write to ask that you consider sponsoring the event.
The sole mission of the nonprofit RNCIC is to secure and clear land adjacent to the Fayetteville National Cemetery to ensure that the cemetery can continue to receive veterans for burial. Established immediately after the Civil War, the Fayetteville National Cemetery is an important part of the history of this region and the country. Veterans living in Northwest Arkansas, as well as many veterans from here but now living outside our region, have planned their final resting place here. But that may not be possible in the near future.
The Veteran’s Administration maintains the Cemetery, but the purchase of new land to expand
existing National Cemeteries has not occurred in decades.
When the RNCIC was organized only seven unfilled grave sites remained at Fayetteville National
Cemetery and the Cemetery was soon to be permanently closed to new interments. We have kept the Cemetery open and increased its size by over 120 percent in the ensuing 25 years, but with the passing of the World War II generation of veterans, the Cemetery will be full in a few years and closed to new burials.
Unless, of course, we act now to prevent that.
The recent controversy over the possible rezoning and development of the adjoining property has regularly been on the front page of local newspapers this summer. The massive turnout of veterans and non-veterans alike to public hearings demonstrates the deep emotional currents that surround the National Cemetery. We are grateful for past commitments to support veterans made by this community. We plan to make the race an annual event and, in this inaugural year, we are happy to give you the opportunity to associate yourself with keeping an important part of this region’s and nation’s heritage alive and to honor those who guarded us. We hope that you will see your way clear to sponsor this event. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
Respectfully submitted,
Wesley Stites, Race Organizer
wstites@uark.edu
Tel: 479-871-7478
5K RACE
VETERANS MEMORIAL
Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation
P.O. Box 4221
Fayetteville, AR 72702
http://regncic.tripod.com

2009 Veteran’s Memorial 5K Race Sponsorship Levels
We thank you for considering sponsorship of this fundraising event. As you may know, all
proceeds of the race go to purchase and clear land for the expansion of Fayetteville National
Cemetery. The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation is a registered nonprofit
with a 25-year history. Through the efforts of this group and, even more importantly, the
generosity of past donors, land has been purchased, cleared, and donated to the Veterans Administration increasing the size of the National Cemetery by 120% and keeping it open for
burial of veterans. However, without additional purchases of land, the cemetery will be closed in 14 years or less.

MEDAL OF HONOR - $1000
Business name and logo prominently on front and back of race shirt
Business name and logo on all race materials and race website
Sponsorship noted in all press releases
Business name and logo on finish line banner
Business recognized at award ceremony
Distribution of marketing materials and/or product samples in race goodie bags
10 complimentary entries and/or race shirts

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE - $500
Business name and logo prominently on back of race shirt
Business name and logo on race website
Business name and logo on finish line banner
Business recognized at award ceremony
Distribution of marketing materials and/or product samples in race goodie bags
5 complimentary entries and/or race shirts

SILVER STAR - $250
Business name and logo on back of race shirt
Business name and logo on race website
Business recognized at award ceremony
Distribution of marketing materials and/or product samples in race goodie bags
3 complimentary entries and/or race shirts

BRONZE STAR - $100
Business name and logo on back of race shirt if room allows
Business name and logo on race website
Business recognized at award ceremony
Distribution of product samples in race goodie bags
1 complimentary entry and/or race shirt
CONTACT Information:
Wesley Stites 479-871-7478
All checks should be payable to Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation or to R.N.C.I.C.
Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation
P.O. Box 4221
Fayetteville, AR 72702

Webcast on Clean Water Act quality standards FREE by registration

Still Time to Register!
To register, visit http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts
Free September Watershed Academy Webcast -- Second in Clean Water Act Series
Join us on Thursday, September 10th at 1-3pm Eastern for an "Introduction to Water Quality Standards," a second in series of Webcasts on the Clean Water Act (CWA). The CWA is the cornerstone of surface water quality protection in the United States and it sets broad goals for restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's water. Water quality standards (WQS) are aimed at translating the broad goals of the CWA into waterbody-specific objectives.
Tune into this Webcast to learn about WQS, which are the foundation of the water quality-based pollution control program mandated by the CWA.The Webcast will highlight the three major components of state and tribal water quality standards e.g., designated uses, water quality criteria, antidegradation, and will include a case study of how one state is working to strengthen its WQS program. Future Webcasts will highlight other aspects of the CWA including monitoring and assessment, total maximum daily loads, programs for managing point sources and nonpoint sources, and wetland protection.
Speakers:
Dr. Thomas Gardner, Environmental Scientist, U.S. EPA's National Water Quality Standards Branch; Heather Goss, Physical Scientist, U.S.EPA's National Water Quality Standards Branch; and William (Bill) Cole, Research Scientist, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Water Quality
Standards Unit
To register, visit http://www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts.

Video from the Fayetteville National Cemetery with Washington County Livestock Auction barn in the background

Please go to
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7295307@N02
to see some of today's photos online. My picasa gigabite is full!

Green Faith Alliance of Central Arkansas to meet by telephone with like-minded or curious Northwest Arkansas residents at UA business school

The Green Faith Alliance of Central Arkansas will meet with us by
telephone on Monday, August 3, at 5:30 pm. Our meeting will be held in
Willard J. Walker Hall, room 546 (fifth floor) on the Business School Campus area at the
University. Attached are directions (from I-540) to the Harmon
parking garage, which is directly across from Walker Hall. The cost
to park there is about $3 for an hour.
As you may recall from my previous email, we talked briefly about the
possibility of having a Green Faith Alliance of Arkansas (dropping the
word “central”) instead of forming a second group called Green Faith
Alliance of Northwest Arkansas. This way, there would be one group,
instead of two, and we might accomplish more by working together than
we can separately.
I am currently on vacation in Georgia. Vivian Hill from St. Paul’s
will be your host for this meeting.
Please RSVP accept or regret to Vivian at vhill@walton.uark.edu as
soon as you can.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this meeting. Again, the
details are:
· Monday, August 3rd
5:30 pm
Willard J Walker Hall, Room 546, U of A Campus
Many thanks to you and thanks for your ministry for the planet that we share.
Michele Halsell