Snake River zinc increase linked to global warming

Posted on December 20, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

The abandoned Pennsylvania Mine is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the Snake River.

Lower flows and groundwater levels may be increasing pollution levels

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A recent quadrupling in concentrations of zinc in the Snake River may be partly a result of drier and warmer weather, according to researchers with the University of Colorado.

Ongoing sampling and testing in the Snake shows those concentrations have been steadily increasing during the past 30 years, with far-reaching consequences for microbes, algae, invertebrates and fish.

The research team, led by grad student Caitlin Crouch, speculated the increased zinc concentrations may be tied to changes in groundwater conditions and stream flow patterns caused by climate change and the associated snowmelt that has been peaking two to three weeks earlier than normal in recent years, largely because of warming air temperatures. The result is lowered stream flows and drier soils along the stream in September and October, which increases metal concentrations, said Crouch. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Video: Electro-shocking the Snake River, Keystone, Colo.

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado Division of Wildlife biologist Jon Ewert discusses electro-shocking

By Bob Berwyn


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SUMMIT COUNTY — Heavy metals from abandoned mines and from natural sources have contaminated the Snake River in Summit County. As part of an ongoing effort to assess the impacts, the Colorado Division of Wildlife surveys a 600-foot reach of the river each year in early August. By electro-shocking the fish, biologists are able to count the population. Most of the fish are stocked by Keystone resort since the water is too toxic to sustain much of a natural fishery.

I’ll post  a story on the results of this year’s shocking a little later. Check the links after the break for background … (more…)

Filed under: Colorado Division of Wildlife, Environment, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

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