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Report: Climate change threatens salmon, water supply in Washington

Report: Climate change threatens salmon, water supply in Washington

A man walks along the dried-up the banks

OLYMPIA — Seasonal water patterns in the Pacific Northwest are changing drastically because of climate change, a U.S. National Climate Assessment report said, impacting the region’s flora, fauna and ecosystems.

The Obama administration released the third U.S. National Climate Assessment Tuesday, one of the nation’s most comprehensive list of the scientific assessment of climate change. (more…)

Is There Hope for Wild Salmonids in the City?

Is There Hope for Wild Salmonids in the City?

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Photo courtesy of NOAA Fisheries West Coast

Wednesday, April 30
7:00 pm, lecture

This event is free and open to the public.

Presented by Professor Alan Yeakley, Director of the School of the Environment, Portland State University. Professor Yeakley will discuss the influence of the urban environment on wild salmonid populations, and what the future holds for these icons of the Pacific Northwest. (more…)

News release: “How’s My Waterway” app lets users check health of waterways anywhere in the US

News release: “How’s My Waterway” app lets users check health of waterways anywhere in the US

hows-my-waterway

CONTACT:
Julia Q. Ortiz
ortiz.julia@epa.gov
202-564-1931
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2014

“How’s My Waterway” Now More User-Friendly
App Lets Users Check Health of Waterways Anywhere in the US 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released an enhanced version of “How’s My Waterway,” an app and website to help people find information on the condition of thousands of lakes, rivers and streams across the United States from their smart phone, tablet or desktop computer.

The How’s My Waterway app and website, http://www.epa.gov/mywaterway, uses GPS technology or a user-entered zip code or city name to provide information about the quality of local water bodies. The new version of the site includes data on local drinking water sources, watersheds and efforts to protect waterways, as well as a map-oriented version of “How’s My Waterway” designed for museum kiosks, displays and touch screens, available at: http://watersgeo.epa.gov/mywaterway/kiosk/.

“Communities and neighborhoods across the U.S. want to know that their local lakes, rivers and streams are healthy and safe to enjoy with their families, and providing that information is a priority for EPA,” said acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water Nancy Stoner. “The enhanced version of ‘How’s My Waterway’ provides easy, user-friendly access to the health of the places we swim, fish and boat, where we get our drinking water, and what is being done to curb water pollution. People can get this information whether researching at a desktop or standing streamside looking at a smart phone.”

The enhanced version includes new data and improvements based on user feedback to the original site, including localized information on:

  • The waterways that supply drinking water to communities.
  • The health of watersheds and organizations working to protect watersheds.
  • Permits that limit pollutant discharge into waterways.
  • Efforts to restore waterways to protect and improve fish habitats by the National Fish Habitat Partnerships.

Here’s how to use “How’s My Waterway”:

• SEARCH: Go to http://www.epa.gov/mywaterwayand allow GPS technology to identify the nearest streams, rivers or lakes or enter a zip code or city name.

• REVIEW: Instantly receive a list of waterways within five miles of the search location. Each waterway is identified as unpolluted, polluted or unas­sessed. A map option offers the user a view of the search area with the results color-coded by assessment status.

• DISCOVER: Once a specific lake, river or stream is selected, the How’s My Waterway app and website provides information on the type of pollution reported for that waterway and what has been done by EPA and the states to reduce it. Additional reports and technical information is available for many waterways.Read simple descriptions of each type of water pollutant, including pollutant type, likely sources and potential health risks.

• EXPLORE: Related links page connects users to popular water information on beaches, drinking water and fish and wildlife habitat based on a user’s search criteria.

EPA will also host a free webinar for the public on the new features of How’s My Waterway on April 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. EDT. More information on the webinar: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/427306106
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