Summary of Problem Exploration

Our class of 5th-8th graders has decided to solve the problem of soil erosion and sediment in and around the Laramie River. We are working to solve this problem by planting willows in the banks, and by convincing constituents and representatives to keep the EPA, which plays a large part in the health of our river. We believe these will help improve the health our our river today, and aid in continuing its protection.

Our group looked into the following problems before deciding on sediment and erosion.

Micro plastics

We first learned about micro plastics by doing a lab in our Science class. We learned that micro plastics are in a lot of everyday items, including skin and hygiene products. Normally, the companies won't advertise that micro plastics are in the product, and will excuse them as exfoliating bubbles. These are a problem because they are too small to be sorted out in waste water treatment plants. They can absorb dangerous chemicals, and animals often mistaken them for food.

Pharmaceuticals

We learned about pharmaceuticals from Dr. Harold Bergman. He described that pharmaceuticals can get into water systems through waste water treatment centers, and that they can affect fish endocrine systems. In our community, some pharmaceuticals get into the river stream, but they are quickly diluted, and do not create any major problems for the river.

Sediment

We learned about sediment from Tony Hoch. He came to our class, and taught us about the different problems the river has faced in the past, and is still currently dealing with. We found out that sediment in our river has always been a problem, and still is one in our community.

Soil Erosion

Tony Hoch also taught us about soil erosion. We learned that when the river runs fast against the riverbank, the soil crumbles off into the river, and the sides wear away. We also learned that erosion in cubic feet per year is 4,429. This makes another problem in our community.

Wildlife Habitat Health

We learned about Wildlife Habitat Health from Dr. Harold Bergman. We learned that around the United States, fish are becoming the opposite sex due to endocrine disputers found in different forms of estrogen . When fish eat things like birth control pills, they can change gender, but this is not really a problem in our community.

River Access

We interviewed the Albany county extension office to learn what kind of concerns ranchers might have about the water, and found that ranchers consider the biggest problem to be lack of river access. They want to irrigate it so there is enough to go around.

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