2006 SNWI Home
2006 Wealth Defined
SNWI Uses and Users
Indicators
Social Capital
Natural Capital
Land Use
Water Use
Groundwater
Agricultural Production
Farm Acreage
Williamson Act
Value of Agriculture Using Sierra Nevada Water
Value of Agriculture Sold Directly to Individuals
Organic Agriculture
Forests & Timber Production
Fire Threat
Air Pollution: Particulate Matter
Air Pollution: Ozone
Global Warming
Energy Production
Energy Use
Electricity Prices
Vehicle Miles Traveled
Solid Waste
Toxics Pollution
Financial Capital
Summary
|
Toxics PollutionWaterborne Toxics Found in Several Areas of the Sierra Nevada Why is it important? Due to the Sierra Nevada’s rich geological history, the presence of toxins in the soil and water is a significant factor in the use and conservation of productive areas. Toxins can contaminate air and water supplies as well as soil composition and crop production. Also, contamination of lakes and streams can be harmful to fishing and other regional recreational uses. Toxins can originate from either human or natural causes. Both are represented in the map. Multiple dots in a single area represent a single source of multiple toxins. How are we doing? Most of the waterborne toxics contamination is located east of the Sierra Nevada divide. Point sources of multiple toxins are found in Truckee’s Martis Valley, South Lake Tahoe, and the Carson Valley. The western half of the North Central and South Central Sierra, formerly part of the Mother Lode gold mining area, also have many sources of metallic water contamination. The North Sierra has relatively few sources of waterborne toxics.
|
 |
 |