water quality

Wild and Scenic Film Festival brings awareness about water issues in our area and beyond This story was written by Cynthia Rozyla on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, March 19, 2023. Read the original article. The Kootenai Environmental Alliance(KEA)/Lake Coeur d’Alene Waterkeeper is pleased to present the Wild and Scenic Film Festival on Friday, March 24 at the Schuler Performing Arts Center on the NIC Campus. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., films begin…

This story was written by Guest author: Seth Oliver on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Read the original article. The 5th edition of the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer (SVRPA) Atlas is set to be printed and available early this spring. The SVRPA Atlas is a collaborative effort of groundwater professionals, water quality experts, environmental specialists and science educators from both Washington and Idaho to disseminate the most up-to-date information on…

This story was written by Dana Swift on behalf of the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Read the original article. In January 2020, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Coeur d’Alene Tribe, in coordination with the participating organizations in the Idaho Fish Consumption Advisory Program (IFCAP), updated the Coeur d’Alene Basin Fish Consumption Advisory, Public Advisory Charts_CdA_Fish (idaho.gov), after testing showed high levels of mercury in some species of fish. Efforts to…

Written by guest author Gabby Pfeiffer Harmful algae blooms (HABs) are a serious threat to the lake’s health and water-based recreation. That murky green film can have serious health impacts. Some cyanobacterial blooms (harmful algae blooms) can cause harm to your skin, liver and nervous system. Adequate exposure to the harmful bloom can cause a variety of symptoms in both humans and animals. In fact, every year nationwide there are accounts of serious illness and death of dogs. If your…

Did you know Coeur d’Alene Lake is part of the Bunker Hill Mining and Metallurgical Complex Superfund Site? A recent Our Gem community survey revealed fewer than 30 percent of respondents were aware the Lake is included in the Superfund Site. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) listed the site on the National Priorities List in 1983, which seeks to address legacy impacts of mining, primarily heavy metals contamination. The Superfund Site consists of three distinct areas, one of which includes…

This story was written by the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, Aug. 15. Read the original article. Since the beginning of this year, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has been reviewing historical and recent water quality data from Coeur d’Alene (CDA) Lake. The NAS assembled a committee composed exclusively of volunteer experts to assess water quality and provide possible recommendations. Our lake has seen a decline in metal concentrations in the decades since enacting environmental…

This story was written by the Our Gem Collaborative team for the CDA Press on Sunday, July 18, 2021. With recent record-breaking warm temperatures, our beautiful lake is at the top of everyone’s mind. In fact, Governor Brad Little recently proclaimed July 2021 Lakes Appreciation Month, including a special mention of Coeur d’Alene Lake. This comes in the midst of a comprehensive assessment and review of data relevant to water quality in Coeur d’Alene Lake conducted by the prestigious National Academies…