SPOKANE, Wash. — Spokane Riverkeeper teamed up with the community to collect crayfish for a study of the Spokane River on Saturday.
According to the Spokane Riverkeeper, they partner with scientists from the University of Idaho Water Resources Research Institute to monitor crayfish for mercury levels. To collect the crayfish needed for the research, Spokane Riverkeeper held a family-friendly community outreach to help get the job done.
Attendees listened to a presentation about local crayfish and the research being done on the freshwater crustaceans. Spokane Riverkeeper employees taught the most efficient way to get a sample using hand, net and trap fishing methods and how to identify a crayfish. In addition to learning about crayfish and their habitat, the event shined a light on the dangers of mercury and other pollutant dangers in the Spokane River.
“While it may not be apparent, the river that we love, the river that’s vital to our health and economy – needs your help,” Spokane Riverkeeper said on their website. “As your Riverkeepers, it is our job and our privilege to protect and defend your river so that it’s clean and safe for all to enjoy.”
According to the Spokane Riverkeeper official website, the Spokane River was polluted in the 1880s by silver mining in the upper watershed, now known as the Bunker Hill Silver Mine. The metals left over from mining went into the water, contaminating it. The tailings released high levels of sulfur dioxide, lead, arsenic, zinc, and other dangerous metals into the river.
The Spokane River and its organisms are being harmed by pollution brought in by stormwater and Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), synthetic chemicals no longer intentionally produced in the United States. To learn more about the pollution in the Spokane River, go to the Spokane Riverkeeper website.
Spokane River Keeper also offers tips on how the Spokane community can help keep the local water safe.
Avoid purchasing brightly pigmented products that contain PCBs. A document that lists these products can be found here. Never dump anything into storm drains. Only clean rain down the drain!Always recycle used oil and antifreeze and dispose of household hazardous waste properly at a regional disposal site. Disposal locations are here. If you see a pollution incident, take notes and photos. Report the pollution by calling (509)329 3400. Take pictures, and be prepared to describe the location of the incident
