Since the passage of the 1972 Clean Water Act, our Nation’s water bodies have made a resounding transformation. The restoration of the Nation’s rivers has directed many urbanites to reconnect with their local oasis; and for a few thrill seekers, reconnection is in the form of urban kayaking.
Pursuing our own urban kayaking adventure, my friends Jassim and Tarek Abraham and I embarked on an overnight float-camping trip on the James River. Covering close to 15 miles, our journey began at the Tailwater Access below Lake Springfield Dam and ended at the Delaware Town Access.
Once on the water, Lake Springfield’s Dam rapidly drifted out of view and we found ourselves surrounded by lush forests, rolling hills, and wildlife. However, we were quickly reminded of the urban world as we floated past the remnants of the retired City Utilities Power Plant and were forced to portaged at a low-water bridge. The River’s alteration between urbanization and rural farmlands became a theme during the float – a hodgepodge environment of towering limestone bluffs, overhead powerlines, pasture lands, highways, and residential homes. The landscape cast upon us was a unique interwoven backdrop that few urbanites experience and outdoor enthusiasts rarely seek.
After making camp on a gravel bar, we reflected on the dramatic change in the right direction the River has taken since we were kids growing up in the 90s. Although, sadly, even in the most remote section of our float, we still found it hard to escape the impacts of pollution. Along the riverbanks we saw plastic bottles and bags, discarded textiles, dumpsites near overpasses, lost golf balls, used tires, and erosion caused by agricultural runoff. Seeing these pollution sources firsthand was a sobering reminder of the continued need for responsible environmental stewardship within our urban and rural environments.
The next day, as our float trip came to an end, we reflected on how important it is to protect our water resources via governmental policy, community engagement, and educational opportunities. It is through these programs that the River has made dramatic change in the last 30 years. As we continue to support these initiatives, the challenges we face will hopefully become easier to address and the water resource will continue to rebound. With any luck, these practices will encourage other citizens to go beyond the faucet and experience their own urban kayaking adventure.
The City of Springfield is working to support a healthier environment by putting green infrastructure practices in place across the community. These projects reduce the negative impacts urbanization imposes on the natural environment, by filtering pollutants found in stormwater runoff and providing wildlife habitat. To cut down on litter, the city promotes it’s City’s Adopt-A-Stream and Adopt-A-Street programs. These city funded programs link citizens, community groups, and businesses together with a local water or roadway in need of cleanup. Lastly, the city partners with local non-for-profits that promote sustainable agricultural practices within the watershed. Examples include keeping cattle out of streams, installing alternative livestock watering stations, stabilizing streambanks, and planting native vegetation.
For resources helping to protect our waterways, please visit the following:
Written By:
Senior Stormwater Specialist
Environmental Services
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