Seeing the Big River: River Valley Dream #187
There are many ways to experience the big river. In this regular feature well "See the Big River" through the eyes of FMRs Artist-in-Residence, Peter L. Johnson. Peter works alongside FMRs staff and volunteers as we strive to protect and improve this cherished community asset.
Peter L. Johnson
Artists statement
"For a change there was no obvious evidence of environmental devastation in this image I discovered in our watershed except that algae is often a sign of excess nutrients. This pool that has been left as the river levels have dropped this fall showed me an imaginary aerial view of what a healthy river ecosystem might look like. The Big River is there for us if we just go see."
The FMR connection
Algae colonies are often a sign of excess nutrients. This photo was taken in the lower St. Croix (Lake St. Croix), which is considered impaired due to nutrient pollution.
While "nutrient" usually has a positive ring to it, that's not the case here. When excess nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen from fertilizer, pet or farm animal waste, grass clippings, leaves or other sources make their way from our roads, yards and fields into our creeks, lakes and rivers, they cause significant problems.
In over-fertilized bodies of water, algae and bacteria thrive. Algal blooms block the sun's rays from reaching bottom-rooted plants the very plants fish and other aquatic animals rely upon for food and habitat. Additionally, populations of oxygen-consuming bacteria explode. As a result, aquatic animals and plants can and often do suffocate.
To learn more about this important problem as well as solutions, please join FMR at the Science Museum of Minnesota for a special presentation November 17th, The Dirt on Sediment Pollution.More information is also available on FMR's Impaired Waters 101 page.
About the artist
Peter L. Johnson draws upon his varied background as a documentary photographer, solo street performance artist, painter and social activist to create the overall tenet of his artistic practice, Seeing the Big River. His lyrical photographs, collected "specimens" and gasoline-infested Mississippi Mud paintings discover beauty amongst the damage we do to our environment. Learn more at peterljohnson.com.