BUTLER/CUNNINGHAM

This page provides some basic facts and references about water in Alabama.

This site will change from time to time. Basic organization will remain constant.

click here to contact Mike Polioudakis, site developer

polioej@acesag.auburn.edu

Level 2

ENVIRONMENT FACTS:

WATER

Selection of Similar Pages

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) keeps a list of waterways in Alabama and of their condition. Those waterways that might have some problems are on the so-called "303D" list, for which a reference is provided in a button to the left. It seems that most of these streams are located in the northwest region of Alabama, and most of the problems are caused by too many nutrients, with consequent over-growth and fouling of the streams ("eutrophication"). It is not entirely clear what is the source of this problem (see CAFOs below), and the major source probably differs from region to region in Alabama.

Alabama is fortunate in having pioneered a group of private citizens who have monitored the condition of waterways with scientific regularity and rigor for at least 10 years now: Water Watch. A link to their cite is provided in a button at left. There the reader can find general information on waterways in Alabama and information on specific waterways. Sometime in late fall of 2002, much of their database for their history, along with informative charts, graphs and pictures, will come on line and may be accessed through their website. When it does, we will provide a link here as well. Long-term information is important because it tells us if the environment is actually getting better or worse, where it is getting better or worse, and why (from farming, industry or human population).

The Cahaba River supplies drinking water to about half of the population of Alabama, and it has some of the most diverse biology for a river of it size and location in the world. As is common with rivers that were once biologically rich and therefore historically important, the Cahaba River is also the repository for urban effluents including sewage, motor oil, chemicals, and fertilizers and pesticides from lawns and gardens. Groups of concerned citizens, especially the Cahaba River Society, now monitor the Cahaba River and watch over programs or projects that might influence the quality or quantity or the water. Please see reference buttons to left and please see "Birmingham" below.

Using existing data gathered mostly by other agences, the Alabama Rivers Alliance also monitors the state of Alabama rivers. In 1999, the prepared a report for the World Wildlife Federation that was never published. However, the report is worth looking at, and they have provided us with a copy, accessible throught the button at left.