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Sediment
River was reported to be unfit for bathing, drinking and cooking because of too much sediment. -
potomac river pollution
The Potomac river was already polluted according to National Geographic. It was thought that dilution was the solution at the time. -
Fish population
Survey indicates 84 species of fish in the river -
Sewer empties in river
Sewage from D.C. population of 340,000 was emptyed into the river. -
Contamination closes river
Bacterial contamination from the waste of 575,000 people of the metro area that was dumped into the river, forced the river to close for swimming. -
ICPRB adopts pollution abatement program
Pennsylvania passes the nations first law limiting acid mine drainage into the streams that emptyed into the river. -
Period: to
Multiple commisions and organizations are created for pollution control in the Potomac
States recognized the need to clean up the Potomac and water treatment plants were built. Organizations were monitoring river pollutions on a regular basis through testing. Lots of legislations (clean water Acts) created. -
low oxygen levels kills lots of fish in the summer
The Washington Post calls the river an "open sewer." -
Increased sewage levels
Waste from partially treated sewer has doubled sice 1932 in the Potomac -
People were boating again and fish were re appearing
There was a noticeable lack of blue/green algae mats that had covered the upper estuary a decade earlier. -
many fish species in the Potomac
A survey found 78 species of fish in teh metro Washington Potomac, Virginia initiated a phosphate ban, and DC issued fishing licenses. -
Ruptured oil pipline
Oil pipeline ruptured and spilled over 400,000 gallons of diesel fuel into a northern tributary of the Potomac. -
Chesapeake Agreement
The Chesapeake 2000 Agreement is signed and ICPRB turns 60 years old. -
Potomac River poll
70 percent of Northern Virginia voters were willing to pay
more to clean up the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.