Dec 19
Rain gardens rock at capturing and slowing rainwater, allowing it to seep slowly into the ground so pollutants can be filtered out. Dig it: Rain is a good thing, right? Right—except for when it runs right off the land, picking up pollution all along the way. When fertilizers, herbicides, and oils are carried through drains …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/stormwater-management/rain-gardens/
Dec 18
Native prairie grasses aren’t just pretty—they also improve water quality across the Midwest. Listen up: How do we love native grassland prairies? Let us count the ways—or at least, let us recount the number one water-related way: When restored, native grassland prairies can improve water quality big-time, and help prevent erosion during heavy rains. Once …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/green-infrastructure/prairie-grasses/
Dec 17
Dams can benefit society—and harm river ecosystems. Listen up for why it’s important to balance the good with the bad: Dams can create a reservoir to hold water, protect areas from floods, or generate clean electricity. All good, right? But wait, there’s more: A dam also physically blocks migrating fish and changes the overall biology …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/water-and-energy/dams-the-good-and-the-bad/
Dec 16
Beluga whales are found in the Saint Lawrence River—but their population is declining. Listen up: It sounds like a whale of a tale, but it’s not. Thirteen species of cetaceans can be found in the St. Lawrence River. “The St. Lawrence is an amazing area. The biodiversity out there is amazing,” says Robert Michaud, president …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/biodiversity/beluga-in-the-deep-blue-river/
Dec 13
It’s no joke—in many places, fish can’t get to the other side of a road. Listen up for the why and so what: Turns out, fish can’t just go with the flow after all. According to research out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, more than 1,000 dams and 100,000 road crossings inhibit fish movement in …
Permanent link to this article: http://www.currentcast.org/development/fish-barriers-great-lakes/
