How polluted is the Spokane River?

How polluted is the Spokane River?

Spokane River suffers from low oxygen and high levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and metals, which are bad for fish and other aquatic animals. Because of the presence of PCBs in fish, the Washington Department of Health issued a Health Advisory for eating Spokane River fish.

Is the Spokane River safe to swim in?

Is the Water Quality Safe for Swimming, Water Sports, and Recreating on Beaches? Yes. Between 2009 and 2013, however, there are five remaining shoreline recreational locations between the Idaho border and Upriver Dam scheduled for cleanup of lead, arsenic, and other metals.

Is the Spokane River contaminated?

East of Spokane, Washington, the ghost of decades-old industrial pollution still haunts the groundwater. But its groundwater, which is filled with PCBs from decades of production, makes the site a major source of contamination in the Spokane River. Today, the company is working to clean up the aquifer it once polluted.

How Clean Is Spokane water?

Spokane’s drinking water meets or exceeds all State and Federal drinking water quality standards. In 2019, we tested for 35 inorganic parameters with detections in arsenic and nitrate. 64 organic compounds were tested for with none detected.

What toxins are in the Spokane River?

Persistent bioaccumulative toxins of greatest concern are PCBs (a man-made chemical), PBDEs (a new generation of flame retardant) and dioxins/furans. Lead, arsenic, cadmium, and zinc are heavy metals released from mining operations and are also of concern.

Is the Spokane River Clean?

In general, the Spokane River is getting cleaner as those who have pipes discharging in the river are reducing their nutrient discharge immensely. The problem is that in tributaries like Peone Creek and Hangman Creek, the Washington Department of Ecology is still stalling on enforcing pollution laws.

Is it safe to eat fish out of the Spokane River?

Do Not Eat Fish Spokane River fish contain chemicals called PCBs and PBDEs (flame retardants). These chemicals can be harmful to your health and the health of your children if eaten in quantities higher than advised.

Where does Spokane get its water from?

Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer
Our water comes from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. The aquifer serves as the sole source of water for most of the people in Spokane County in Washington and in Kootenai County in Idaho.

Is Spokane water chlorinated?

Drinking water in the City of Spokane comes from wells that extract water from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer. Water from the Aquifer is of high quality and is treated only with chlorine disinfectant before distribution. Our drinking water quality is regulated by both Federal and State rules.

Why is the Spokane River Green?

As the City of Spokane (dark blue) decreased their pumping rate the river (green) began to rise. Due to this reduction in pumping, the aquifer levels actually rose 0.5 ft (6 inches), resulting in more aquifer water discharging to the river.

Is it safe to eat fish from Spokane River?

Can you eat crawfish from the Spokane River?

The flashy-looking crustaceans – more correctly known as signal crayfish – are freshwater cousins to lobsters. The fact that they’re still common in the Spokane River and other Western streams speaks to their survival skills. Depending on the food supply, crawdads can dine as vegetarians, scavengers or cannibals.

Where is the Little Spokane River?

The Little Spokane River is a major tributary of the Spokane River, approximately 35 mi (56 km) long, in eastern Washington in the United States.

Where does the Spokane River flow?

Spokane River. The Spokane River is a tributary of the Columbia River . It runs 100 miles along the Idaho and Washington borders. It flows through the city of Spokane and serves as irrigation and drinking water there.

What is the Spokane River?

Spokane River watershed. The Spokane River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately 111 miles (179 km) long, in northern Idaho and eastern Washington in the United States. It drains a low mountainous area east of the Columbia, passing through the Spokane Valley and the city of Spokane , Washington.