Here is a list and brief description of some of the things that could be done to improve the GMR.
Take Advantage Of What We Already Have: {read more details by clicking here}
- Make improvements when other work is being done.
- Take advantage of shelter from sun & rain under bridges
- Expand areas where exceptionally clean water enters the river.
Litter Screens/Traps:
Place litter screens in front of the worst of the areas 500 stormwater discharge sites. To say that there are no funds to collect the trash that is trapped is ridiculous, because someone is having to pick it up somewhere! Much of the litter makes its way to the river bottom, but whether in the water or on shore, it has a negative impact on people’s perception of this river, and negatively influences their decisions to utilize it for recreational activities.
Hazardous Rebar: {see photos here}
The rebar must be removed . . . no ifs ands or buts!!! And I don’t mean “out of sight, out of mind” . . . I will be standing in line to testify at the civil hearing for the first person who gets injured or killed on this hazard!
Capture and Remove Scum:
Place floating barriers at key locations on river to capture and concentrate floating scum and debris. Then install a water wheel spiral pump that would turn 24/7 and scoop out the surface pollution and then pump it up do a filtering discharge site. It may sound complicated and expensive, but actually it is extremely simple and would cost very little compared to the return. An ideal location would be under a bridge, upstream from where visitors frequent, such as RiverScape in Dayton. One small barrier could prevent a whole lot of nasty from floating by and being seen in an area with frequent vistors. Read more and see photos.
Extract Excess Nutrients:
Grow Duckweed on strategic sections of the rivers as a means of harvesting excess nutrients from the water. The high protein, high nutrient “crop” would have many potential uses, and the elevation drops and/or current could make harvesting simple. This is a complicated subject, but there are ways to do this that are practical and viable and would overcome obvious obstacles.
Utilize Available Power:
Use the power of the river to help clean the water. There are many ways that this could be done, and some are very simple and low cost. The best way to fix a problem is to find an additional value in the solution. Their is value in water, power, and nutrients . . . and the river has all three in great abundance! Find a way to capitalize on all three at the same time, and you will have found a way to substantially improve the quality of the water in your rivers.
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