Lake Havasu is among the popular lakes along Colorado River (LAKE HASAVU CITY 3). The lake is created by a dam and is located at the foot of Chemehuevi Mountains. The lake has special features ranging from canyons and sand dunes including the London Bridge, which is a major attraction at the site. Lake Havasu and the surrounding areas are also home to different types of wildlife which include Coyotes, Bighorn Sheep, reptiles, and birds. Located to the south of the lake is the Bill Williams National Wildlife Refuge, which provides a good spot for wildlife watching. There are different landscapes around the lake open up to various activities within the area. Visitors are treated to some recreational activities such as fishing, bird watching, sightseeing and boat riding. For those people who lake adventures and explorations, the vast landscape offers a quiet wilderness in addition to several historic sites.
While planning to visit Lake Hasavu, one can consider a number of research questions such as the causes of pollution at Lake Havasu, the impact pollution to the lake and its environs and how pollution impact the wildlife around the Lake.
Water resources including lakes face serious threats most of which are as a result of human activity. These activities lead to sedimentation, changes in landscapes, water contamination and changes in climate. Increased human activities such as mining and road constructions lead to a conversion of natural landscapes into urban settings negatively impacting on the ecosystem. Although sediments can naturally occur in lakes, Mining and construction can deposit too much matter and soil into lakes. These sediments are harmful because they often carry toxic waste that kill aquatic life and raise water temperatures above normal. Sediments also reduce the amount of light penetrating the water hence harming organisms in the lakes. Also, the emissions vehicles and machines pollute the air leading to the formation of acid rain. Runoff water drains into lakes and rivers and increases their salinity. Another problem is the excessive withdrawal of water from the lakes and rivers causing them to dry up (Julie n.p). There is a minimal consideration of conserving water resources, and further depletion is caused as a result of constructing reservoirs.
Indeed, most of the pollution in lakes and rivers results from human activities. Each person is, therefore, responsible for ensuring the amount of harm is reduced. Measures for prevention of water pollution are vital to ensure quality and sustainability of resources (Lake Hasavu City Arizonan n.p). Preventive measures such as green infrastructure are a necessary approach to ensure low impact when carrying out development activities near water bodies. Recycling and treating water pollutants at the source before disposal minimize waste and the cost of water treatment. We should use water efficiently to minimize the amount withdrawn from the sources. Sediments from mining activities should be safely deposited to reduce the amounts being transported into lakes. Another solution has water waste management programs to address issues of water bodies that do not meet the desired quality standards. Such organizations should encourage the restoration and protection of watersheds.
- LAKE HASAVU CITY (Revised) Stormwater Management Program. Retrieved on 15th October 2015, from http://www.lhcaz.gov/brochures/publicWorks/swmpUpdate2014.pdf
- Julie Jacobson. How a Historical Blunder Helped Create The Water Crisis in the West. Web 25th June 2015 from http://www.npr.org/2015/06/25/417430662/how-a-historical-blunder-helped-create-the-water-crisis-in-the-west
- Lake Hasavu City Arizona. Annual Drinking Water Quality Report for 2014. Web 25th June, 2015. http://www.lhcaz.gov/brochures/publicWorks/waterQualityReport.pdf
