The Anacostia River is a source of life for countless species, and it is currently at risk. The Anacostia has a history of being polluted, and to this day, it is full of toxins and trash. I have volunteered for the Anacostia River Watershed Society multiple times and seen firsthand the crippling effect of pollution on the watershed. You can help by advocating for, donating to, and volunteering to support the River. Although there are many organizations trying to help, and it’s improved over the last few years, there is still a lot to do, and you can still have an impact.
According to Anacostia Riverkeeper, an organization devoted to protection, the Anacostia has tons of waste entering the river, making it one of the most polluted in the US. It is tarnished by stormwater runoff, sewage, trash (most commonly plastics/microplastics), and toxins (most commonly PCBs, which accumulate in fish and the river bed). With a total of 182,000 pounds of waste being dumped into the Anacostia since 2014, it is no longer very safe for swimming and fishing, and the wetlands have a small chance of surviving. In fact, the United States Geological Survey says that close to 90% of Anacosia’s original wetlands have been destroyed. The watershed is at risk of, and has been, losing aquatic life, such as native plant and animal species. In other words, the natural habitat that used to be in the watershed is fading away due to the amount of extreme pollution. Given this situation, it is extremely important that we try to help the river and its inhabitants.
You can help the Anacostia by participating in cleanups, donating to organizations, doing mussel surveys, or, in general, being less wasteful. According to the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), the easiest way to help the Anacostia is to pick up trash in the river, streams, parks, and yards. You can even pick up trash on your block if you don’t want to leave your neighborhood, or you can participate in or organize a cleanup (for example, with AWS) and try not to litter in the first place. In the end, though, the best way to make a difference is to just do what you can. There are many different ways to help, so don’t be discouraged due to inconvenience. If you do even one of the things I have talked about, you are making a difference.
You may be wondering, “How does doing a mussel survey help the Anacostia River?” AWS states that mussels filter food when they eat, and a fully grown freshwater mussels can filter 10-20 gallons of water per day. They are very good at filtering sediments, nutrients, and E. coli. By removing these things from the Anacostia, the water quality is improved. This helps submerged aquatic vegetation grow, which helps the natural habitat. When you participate in a mussel survey, you will be gathering mussels and checking their health. The river is not dead. It is still fighting, and you can help it win.
It should be clear by now that with the amount of pollution in the Anacostia River, even if progress has been made, there is still much more to be done. You can help by advocating for, donating to, and volunteering to help the River. I live in DC, so I can see for myself the amount of pollution, and I have attended multiple cleanups and mussel surveys. If everyone puts in a little work, we can help it prosper once again.
