Geo1000-2/8/2016
THE GREEN RIVER IN DANGER
ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
1. What is the root cause of the environmental issue?
The Green River one of the most beautiful rivers in the United States and the major
tributary to the Colorado River is in danger. Pollution due to mining, dams, recreation
parks and oil extraction are putting in danger the Green River. As the Green River cross
all the state of Utah from north to south; it impacts with a beauty of natural canyons,
mesas, valleys and gives housing to many spices of trout, coyotes, foxes and a variety of
vegetation. Now the river is in danger.
The river is born in the eastern slopes of the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming. It is
known to the Shoshone Indians as Seeds-kee-dee-Agie meaning Green River. The river is
Utah’s major stream with a total of 730 miles long; 450 miles are in Utah. The natural
flow of the river was interrupted with the construction of the Flaming Gorge Dam in
1956, also a construction of oil drills near to the border with Colorado were made; this
major developments had impact the River that many species of trout are in danger. But
not only the trout also are many other small animals that live down the stream of the
dam in danger specially when the dam opens to release extra amount of water.
2. Where is occurring?
The dregradation is occurring in all places of the river. Farming is very common around
the river stream, cities and towns were build, factories that produce fertilizers are bless
by the amount of water, fishing and boating yields chemicals that are dangerous for the
natural habitat. Many sources can be find but nothing like the Flaming Gorge Dam and
the oil extraction in Vernal, Utah.
The places where the major issues are occurring are in the Flaming Gorge Dam located
in Manila, Utah, and in the eastern border region of Vernal, a place known for his
dinosaur land. These are the two main locations where major degradation is happening.
3. Why is this occurring?
The first major pollution is occurring on the upper stream at the Flaming Gorge Dam.
The Dam constructed to provide electricity to the western states stops the natural flow
of the river. Major issues are: the blocked of natural sediments in the dam; natural
sediments should flow downstream to provide nutrients and also to reduce acidity
contents in the waters but the dam is blockading the sediments. The other issue
affecting the dam is the outrages flow of water when the dam opens: in summer times
the dam opens to release extra amounts of water overflow downstream putting in
danger trout, amphibious and vegetation. These are the two major pollution treats that
is impacting the Green River.
Geo1000-2/8/2016
The second major pollution is the extraction of oil. The oil extraction closed to the
border with Colorado accidents being happened for many decades. The more recently
based on the Salt Lake Tribune happened on May 23, 2014 where thousands of gallons
of heavy polluted waters were spelled into the Green River. This pollution is the most
dangerous and many more projects are on their way like constructing of oil pipe lines
and extraction of oil from sands are to be expected in the next coming years.
4. What is being done or can be done to handle this environmental problem?
To handle this problem no much things had been done. The Flaming Gorge dam is
crucial for the economy and the Oil extraction it is also important, but things can be
measure and saving the Green River I personal think is very important.
Different agencies provide assistance to administrate the land and the waters. The
Bureau of Land Management and Department of Natural Resources in Utah is some of
these agencies. There is also private organizations that help to protect but is even better
the local people that protects this natural resources.
Reflection:
I always been loved nature, I been in the Green River many times. I have been from the
Flaming Gorge to the junction with the Colorado River. I had travel in raft in the Green
River’s canyons and always very impress by their beauty. This river is a magic on
reality and I always will love and enjoy this river. So to conclude we most protect the
Green River.
Works cited
 http://www.fondriest.com/news/study-docoments-changes-green-river-2011-floodflaming-gorge-dam.htm
 http://www.waterquality.utah.gov/watersheds/lakes/FLAMINGG.pdf
 http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/potomac-river-threatenedby-pollution-congress-new-report-says/2012/05/14/gIQAxl89PU_story.html
 http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57981175-78/oil-spill-wash-energy.html.csp
 http://www.visitpinedale.org/explore/rivers/green-river
 http://historytogo.utah.gov/utah_chapters/the_land/greenriver.html
Geo1000-2/8/2016
Me in the Green River in September 2013