Mercury in the Putah Creek Watershed
CreekSpeak Series continues...
Mercury in the Putah Creek Watershed
Most of us know that mercury contamination is a concern with some seafood and freshwater fish, but how the mercury gets into those fish is less well understood. Some mercury in Putah Creek, the Delta, and the ocean actually comes from the mining legacy in Putah Creek.
This month's CreekSpeak will address mercury in the Putah Creek watershed. On Thursday, September 9th from 7-9 PM community members will gather at the Winters Library to hear from Dr. Stephen McCord, Senior Engineer with Larry Walker Associates, to discuss the role Putah Creek played in the California gold rush, the mercury remaining in Putah Creek, and what is being done about it today.
Mercury is a natural element found in the Putah Creek watershed. From the Gold Rush era through World War II, mercury was mined from the watershed for use in gold mining and various consumer products. That mining legacy has left behind a scarred landscape and contaminated waterways that even today threaten the health of humans and wildlife.
This talk will provide an introduction to the topics to be covered on the October 3rd Putah Creek mercury mine tour.
More information is available at www.putahcreekcouncil.org