CurrentCast: Recent Episodes
ChavoBart Digital Media
CurrentCast is a daily, 60-second radio feature that educates the public about water issues, promotes an appreciation for aquatic environments, and encourages an educated discussion about this critical resource.
Some researchers think the best way to keep Asian Carp out of the Great Lakes is to eat them. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Sometimes removing a dam is a better option than repairing it. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Learn more about the benefits and risks of hydropower. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Fixing household leaks is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Burning biofuels may release fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline, but what is their impact on water? Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
With a few alterations, ditches can reduce flooding and water pollution. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This label certifies products that use water efficiently, while maintaining peak performance. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This great river is the second longest in the U.S. and flows through 10 states. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This naturally occurring chemical can leach into ground and surface water. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The western Lake Erie basin is an important stopover site for migrating songbirds, so it’s important to consider them when looking at wind energy. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A group of organizations are helping one landowner revert some of his property back to its natural state. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
An online tool helps homeowners estimate, and reduce, their flood risk. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
When birds that migrate at night find themselves over water when the sun comes up, they head for the nearest shoreline – even if it means backtracking. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The parking lot for the Memorial is getting a green facelift. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Overfishing and predatory sea lampreys almost wiped out lake trout in the Great Lakes, but after years of stocking, lake trout are reproducing and are self-sustaining in Lake Superior. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The system of locks and canals that allowed ships to bypass Niagara Falls suddenly created a path for invasive species. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Climate change is expected to deal multiple blows to water resources in New York. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Using a three-zone buffer system around a stream can dramatically improve water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The Erie Canal introduced a new path to the west by connecting Albany to Buffalo. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Lawns need less water than most people think. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A community’s perception of their river had to be changed before they believed it was worth the effort to clean it up. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
By recording underwater sounds in the Great Lakes, researchers can learn more about fish habits and distribution. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Increasing the number of ciscoes in the Great Lakes helps support larger fish, too. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Floating gardens in the Chicago River provide new habitat for wildlife. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Cities are using green infrastructure to meet EPA clean water standards. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Hellbender salamander populations are declining because of poor water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
In some areas, invasive mussels are removing too much phosphorus from the water. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Drinking wastewater… it’s not as far-fetched as you might think. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A fountain in Milwaukee provides beauty and cleaner water. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Scientists listen in on a world of underwater sound. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A new tool can help city and regional planners see the benefits of planting trees. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
“Lake herring” are making a comeback in the Great Lakes. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Efforts by public and private groups have treated mine drainage and cleared up the water of the Kiski-Conemaugh rivers. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Proper care and maintenance is key for maintaining private septic systems. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Over time, dirt roads can get pounded down and worn away, turning into gutters when it rains. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Trading grey pipes for green spaces is helping cities control storm-water runoff. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
If well water is contaminated by fertilizer runoff, septic discharges, or animal waste, it could put babies at risk. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A leaky toilet could waste hundreds of gallons of water a year. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The humble rain barrel can help you conserve water while saving money. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
When farmers institute measures to improve the health of streams on their property, it also improves the health of their herd. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
There are fun and simple ways to teach children to save water. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Rain gardens are an effective way to capture and slow rainwater, allowing it to seep slowly into the ground. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Prairie grasses native to the Midwest can improve water quality and help prevent erosion during heavy rains. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Dams provide many important benefits to society, but the benefits must be balanced with the impact on river ecosystems.Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Marked water trails in this state make it easy for people to give paddling a try. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This attractive water plant is a ruthless invader. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Climate change is bringing warmer, wetter weather to the Keystone state. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Lake-front landscaping is key to water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Some cities have combined sewer systems that can overflow during heavy storms – sending untreated sewage into rivers and lakes. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Not all algae is harmful, but there’s no way to know which is which. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The currents and sandy shores of the Great Lakes can create rip currents as dangerous as those in the ocean. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
If Asian carp get into Lake Erie, it could take a toll on Ohio’s tourism and travel industries. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore is more than sand and waves. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A scientist has mapped the dams and road crossings that inhibit fish movement in the Great Lakes region. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Man-made islands provide a place for young fish to rest and eat as they travel through the Milwaukee Estuary. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Healthy grasslands help protect water quality and support our feathered friends. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
By putting their property in a land trust, fruit farmers can help protect water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Once drained to make room for agriculture, Hennepin and Hopper Lakes have undergone a dramatic transformation. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
When you hear the words ‘water pollution,’ you probably think of chemicals. But soil and silt can harm rivers, too. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
These sealants may protect your driveway… but they don’t protect water resources. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
How protecting the land can help protect water resources.Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
You may be properly caring for your car… but what about water quality? Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Few drivers realize that normal vehicle wear and tear can harm water resources. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
How much fish is sustainably caught in Great Lakes waters each year. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
You won’t believe what happens when water hits this surface! Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Could a famous lake-front city become known for its rivers instead? Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This beautiful plant has some very ugly effects on many wetland ecosystems. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The surprising cause, pace, and consequences of erosion in the Minnesota River watershed. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This stinky stuff is yucking up Great Lakes beaches. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
These small but mighty invaders are taking over the Great Lakes. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
There’s nothing common about the common loon. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
There’s a rich resource right in America’s backyard. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Non-native crayfish upset the natural balance in streams. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Iron oxide sludge recovered from abandoned mine clean-up efforts can be used to create pigment. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Gentle slopes that drop off into dramatic cliffs are called drumlins. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Boaters should follow these three simple steps to prevent the spread of invasive species. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Watershed groups create plans, called TMDLs, to clean up waterways. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A system of buoys provides information to boaters. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Plants that don’t belong in our waters can interfere with swimming, fishing, and boating. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
An invasive grass called phragmites can grow so dense, turtles can’t get through to lay their eggs. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Large ocean-going ships pump water into their holds for stability, but this added ballast can carry unwanted guests. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
A group of non-profits has started a movement to install raingardens in neighborhoods throughout Detroit. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Computer models can help farmers identify which fields would benefit the most from special efforts to reduce pollution. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Beavers can provide a lot of benefits to a stream. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Raising brook trout teaches students about water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Guests are responsible for a significant portion of a hotel’s total water use. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Marked water trails in this state make it easy for people to give paddling a try. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
This attractive water plant is a ruthless invader. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Over 250 species of birds are recorded in the western basin of Lake Erie each year. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
There are thousands of different types of blue green algae, and only a few produce harmful toxins. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Students trade their desks for a spot on a tall ship. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Climate change is bringing warmer, wetter weather to the Keystone state. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Lake-front landscaping is key to water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
The water levels in the Great Lakes fluctuate naturally throughout the year. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Fertilizers can run off into streams and lakes, so it’s important not to use any more than needed. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Modern technology can help farmers reduce their use of water and fertilizer. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
Landscaping with native plants can help stabilize the soil and protect water quality. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.
What you need to know to have a truly green garden. Learn more at: http://www.CurrentCast.org.