Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Help Improve Outdoor Water Quality in North Carolina

On April 26th, the Watershed Association of the Tuckasegee River unveiled the Scotts Creek Mud Meter.

What is the mud meter? Well, the mud meter monitors the amount of silt in Scotts Creek. They have found that Scotts Creek has an extremely high amount of silt in the water following light rains and storms. Generally, the silt should settle out of the water several hours after the precipitation has ended. However, the levels are so high in Scotts Creek, which flows into the Tuckasegee River, that it takes days for this silt to settle out of the water.

Why is this increase in silt a problem? Simple. Trout and other water creatures reside in our creeks. The increased silt content leaves them in a state of despair.

If you would like to learn more about what the Watershed Association of the Tuckaseegee River does, please visit their website at www.watrnc.org.

We at the Highland Hiker enjoy the beauty of Western North Carolina. Please join in to help keep the environment beautiful for generations to come.

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