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Discovery!
The first European sees Lake Erie. -
Period: to
The Pollution and Clean Up of Lake Erie
These events detail how Lake Erie was polluted by both humans and natural events. However, over time Lake Erie was able to recover and become what is considered to be one of the cleanest of the Great Lakes. -
Wild Rice!
Thousands of acres of wild rice grow at the mouths of the rivers feeding the lake, acting as filters for sediment. -
Population increase means more pollution!
Human population increases dramatically. Raw sewage (oil, sawdust, animal carcasses, and human waste) dumped directly into the lake. -
Corn and Wheat mills
Mills built to grind corn and wheat on most of the streams and rivers leading into the river. -
Fish population reduced.
Population of fish species that migrate to spawn are reduced or eliminated. -
Fire!
The Cuyahoga River catches fire. -
Blooming algae!
Phosphorus used in soaps causes algae to bloom and over populate. -
Another Fire!
The Cuyahoga River catches fire for a second time. -
Lake Erie declared dead!
Lake Erie declared dead as dead fish and decaying algae ring the shores. (Bacteria on decaying algae consumed oxygen in the lake, effectively suffocating many fish). -
Clean Water Act
President Nixon of the United States and Pierre Trudeau of Canada sign the Clean Water Act. -
Phosphorus Ban
Ohio passes ban on the sale of detergents containing phosphorus. -
Don't Eat the Fish
Consumers are warned not to eat catfish over 16 inches caught anywhere in Lake Erie. -
Boating & More!
Lake Erie is popular for boating, fishing (walleye, pike, trout, perch, others) and swimming. -
Cleaned up!
Lake Erie considered one of the cleanest of the Great Lakes. -
Danger!
Lake Erie still in danger from continued non point source pollution and past pollution by PCBs, dioxin, mercury and DDT. (Trapped in the sediment, biomagnification.)
