Why is Water so Special?

Laura McLachlan, grade 6, A.J. Smith School, Aurora

Laura McLachlan

Did you know the Cayuga Lake Watershed covers 785 square miles of land draining into the Cayuga Lake? In this essay you will read about attractions throughout the watershed, concerns about water quality, and vegetation, which can prevent soil erosion.
The Cayuga Watershed is just one of many watersheds in New York State. A watershed is the land surrounding a body of water funneling runoff into this body of water.
Cayuga Lake watershed not only supplies citizens and others with jobs, it also attracts many people with its diversity like bird watching, windsurfing, boating, swimming, and canoeing. It also brings scholars to Cornell University and Ithaca College in Ithaca and Wells College in Aurora. There are many activities to do in the water, for example diving, kayaking, jet skiing, or going fishing. The wineries on both sides of the lake combine enjoyment and the relaxation of sightseeing. All of these activities depend on good unpolluted water quality.
There are two types of pollution. Point-source pollution isn’t as harmful as non-point pollution to the water quality. When most people think of water pollution they think of a pipe from a factory discharging contaminants for a clearly perceptible source of pollution. Non-point sources are things like runoffs from construction sites, fields, parking lots, and roads. Non-point pollution is harder to pinpoint and control than specific sources of direct contamination. Runoff from eroded soil ends up in the lakes as silt, which not only fills lakes with murky sediments that harm fish and other water life, but also washes down the nutrients that fertilize the overgrowth of algae and weed in lakes.
Although Cayuga Lake has fair water quality there are still some concerns. Sediment from erosion and runoff is one of the concerns. Phosphorus from manure and sewers, heavy metal concentrations (chromium and lead), Coliform bacteria (mostly from sewers), and agricultural chemicals in lakes and tributaries are others.
There are many ways that pollution can end up in lakes. Septic failure can infect lakes or streams with dangerous bacteria, which is threatening the health of anyone in contact with the water. Motor spills from jet skis and boats not only make the water look and feel ugly but also contribute to the over all phosphorus problem and consequences. Motors should be in good repair and checked regularly.
Eutrophication (youtrofication) is another problem in the watershed. Eutrophication is an accelerated cycle of lake aging, which is caused by too much phosphorus and human development. Excessive algae growth caused by Eutrophication turns lakes green and murky, and leaves the water with a fowl smell and taste.
Probably one of the simplest ways to protect our watershed is to plant a tree or shrub. This its true because the greater the volume of water in a stream or ditch the faster the bank erodes, and if plant roots are in the soil they will filter ground water and limit the amount of pollution entering the lake. Trees and shrubs are the best for this job. Plant roots hold soil together, and if you remove roots, soil erosion naturally follows. Other ways you can help is to become an active member of the Cayuga Lake watershed Network, and stay informed about local development. Participating in upcoming discussions, which lead to a watershed plan, is a way to actively protect our Cayuga Lake Watershed.