Bad Water from the Santiam River

When was it I heard my phone screeching?  I don't remember.  I know the sound.

It's the same sound that violated a quiet lake, with me almost alone on the large lake, in my raft, awaiting the eclipse.

I had scrambled then to find my phone, hidden away in a ziplock plastic bag, to protect it from water, to get the thing turned off.  That was the state's doing, an emergency alert to remind people not to stop on the freeway to watch the eclipse.  Gee thanks.

Now what, I thought.

Well the announcement on the phone, via text, accompanied by screeching, said simply:  Civil emergency in your area (or something like that).  Prepare to take action.

That was it.  Nothing more.

Prepare to take action?  Should I grab a gun, load it up and stand outside, ready to fire on??????

Clouds of killer bees?  Alien attack?  Did the dam break up at Foster?  Should I be wrapping my house in plastic and duct tape to protect from chemical attack?  Rabid coyote packs?  WHAT?   For gosh sakes WHAT?

 I went outside to look for billowing chemical clouds.  This would be the most likely disaster where I live.  I live too close to old plants that produce toxic things.

I hadn't felt an earthquake.  The only other thing I could think of was maybe an incoming nuke.  That I could do nothing about.  So I  went back to eating dinner.

Later I found out it was a big mistake.  Big surprise!!  This prompted scoffing meme's to appear on facebook making fun of the state.

The message was intended as an alert for residents north of where I live.  Seems the toxic algae blooms that plague areas polluted with farm and lawn run off, had begun earlier than usual, east of Salem, in Detroit Reservoir.  The toxins from the algae had made it through the dam into the North Santiam River and down river into the Salem water supply.  Towns along the N. Santiam canyon were affected also.  Don't drink the water, the message was supposed to read, especially if elderly, ill, or a child or pet.   The message was supposed to go only to areas affected.

If you want to read up on the causes of Algae blooms, you can do so here.  If you go to the page and follow the link to nutrient pollution, you can see humans are mostly responsible for increases in the two nutrients directly linked to toxic algae blooms.  Causes are widespread, from livestock, to agriculture to fossil fuels to lawn fertilizers.  Read about toxic algae bloom causes here.

The city of Salem had known about the toxins in the water for days before notifying residents.  They claimed this was because of the holiday and state officials wouldn't be around to help.  Really?

At least one family's kids became ill as a result.  Probably were more.  Albany, my town, gets water from the Santiam River after the north and south branches join together.  The state has ordered Albany to test their water. Seems like they would have done so immediately upon knowledge of the north Santiam's problem.

 I've always had suspicions about the water department because the water is so chlorinated here that sometimes you can smell it when you open the tap. And because the price of water in this town is so high and they keep raising rates. It may as well be gold.   Anyhow, no test results are in from Albany, but I can tell  you the results will be negative, whether they are or not.  That's how much I trust the city water department.

There have been severe runs on bottled water.  Most stores are out of bottled water from Albany to Woodburn and further.  Reports of price gouging have arisen on facebook in the Salem area.  Of course.  Humans lowering themselves to be the least they can be when confronted with challenge.  One market was selling a gallon of water for $7, if you can believe that.  This came off the page of a trustworthy cat person in Salem who is justifiably outraged.   What fucks, to profit off a disaster.

New tests are supposed to come in today from Salem's water.  Meanwhile, is our water here safe?  Who the hell knows.  I got ill on Sunday and Monday.  I attributed this to Taco Bell tacos, however, and that is probably the case.  Gretal, one of my cats, is violently ill.  She's old however and this has been going on almost a month.  But I start getting even more uneasy and suspicious when reports of bad water are on the news.  There was this one guy I knew.  I helped he and his wife with cats.  Used to work for the water department.  They won't drink anything but bottled now.  He says he's seen too much.

Well I hope this is resolved quickly.  It's turned colder again here so maybe that will help.  I don't know. 

I spent some time relaxing at the park yesterday.   The south Santiam river runs through the park.   It's not toxic algae contaminated.    Three young women came shivering in bathing suits out of the woods trail near the river, wet and carrying plastic rafts.  I asked, "How's the water?"  "Freezing!" they said almost in unison.  They were rushing to their car to warm up.  The water is still very cold around here.  I admired their gumption.

Cumi looking good

Red Shafted or Northern Flicker

California Ground Squirrels.  They're everywhere in the park.

Boxelder bugs in love!