We spoke at length about those very things. The impoundment was accepted by most who suffered through the Depression Era as necessary and a leap in progress, but they had memories of it as a crystal-clear reservoir and shook their heads at the eutrophication and impacts to the entire watershed from population growth in NWest Ark. They saw the worst of pollution (before the wastewater treatment plant improvements) so could appreciate that folks are working on it, but also are were big proponents of protecting riparian zones and establishing conservation easements to help with poultry waste and erosion issues. They loved Caney Creek most of all, of course, and have had their battles preserving it.
So, yes, water quality and erosion were big topics of conversation. We spoke in 2020, so the wounds to the creeks and rivers from the floods in the winter of 2015 and spring 2019 were fresh in their minds.
Reflecting on the videos and the long lives of these two anglers and conservationists, I wonder about their views of their home river, the Illinois, in its changes over their long lives. I think about its impoundment by Tenkiller Ferry Dam in the 1950’s to its water quality challenges of today.
These touching and inspiring videos are two I will view again.
Charlie Transue
Tulsa
Hey Charlie,
We spoke at length about those very things. The impoundment was accepted by most who suffered through the Depression Era as necessary and a leap in progress, but they had memories of it as a crystal-clear reservoir and shook their heads at the eutrophication and impacts to the entire watershed from population growth in NWest Ark. They saw the worst of pollution (before the wastewater treatment plant improvements) so could appreciate that folks are working on it, but also are were big proponents of protecting riparian zones and establishing conservation easements to help with poultry waste and erosion issues. They loved Caney Creek most of all, of course, and have had their battles preserving it.
So, yes, water quality and erosion were big topics of conversation. We spoke in 2020, so the wounds to the creeks and rivers from the floods in the winter of 2015 and spring 2019 were fresh in their minds.
Reflecting on the videos and the long lives of these two anglers and conservationists, I wonder about their views of their home river, the Illinois, in its changes over their long lives. I think about its impoundment by Tenkiller Ferry Dam in the 1950’s to its water quality challenges of today.
Charlie Transue
Tulsa, OK