In the Northwest, innovative projects use trees to cool streams
February 4, 2013
The wastewater treatment plant in Medford, Ore., removes organic solids, oils and other pollutants from sewer and storm runoff before dumping the water into the Rogue River. Even though the process cleans the water, it’s still polluted with heat. Warm waters hold less oxygen and can provide a dangerous advantage to invasive species.
The state allows each heat-pollution source in a watershed to contribute a maximum number of kilocalories per day so river temperatures won’t rise above 13 degrees Celsius, the ideal temperature for salmon to spawn.
#clean water #fish #heat-pollution #invasive species #Medford #Oregon #Rogue River #Salmon #Wastewater treatment #water temperature