Naya Mueller

3/15/19
Per.7th

Innovating Austin Essay

Did you know that such an important and beloved body of water as Lady Bird Lake is
illegal to swim in? Have you wondered what caused such a law to be put forth? Lady Bird Lake
was formed in 1960 by the Longhorn Dam and not even 5 years later was it made illegal to
swim in. The source of the creation of this law is pollution. Pollution in Lady Bird Lake is caused
by the misuse of the lake in the past, runoffs into the water, and current recreational usage.

One reason why there is pollution in Lady Bird Lake is because of misuse of the lake in
the past. In fact, Lady Bird Lake was once a cooling pond. A cooling pond is a body of water
primarily used to supply water for a power plant. Lady Bird Lake supplied water to the nearby
Holly Street Power Plant. As this continued, so did the effects of thermal pollution on the
ecosystem of Lady Bird Lake. Due to the rapid change in water temperature, the water quality
began to degrade. The effects of thermal pollution on marine life is very harmful depending on
how the organism reacts in either warm or cold water. For example, “Plankton cannot survive
the cooler temperatures. Many fish, their eggs and their fry may die. As some organisms die,
others reproduce and take over, potentially changing the areas ecosystem”. This one change in
the marine ecosystem will later have a negative ripple effect on all of Austin's ecosystems.

Another reason why there is pollution in Lady Bird Lake is because of runoffs into the
water. Runoffs carry trash littered by people into many of Austin's waterways including Lady Bird
Lake. Major runoffs include storm drains, streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and parks. All of these
examples make up the large city of Austin. If Austin's booming population continues to grow and
with that its littering rates, Ladybird Lake can become unrecognizable due to being
encompassed with so much trash. As a result of littering, natural and recreational locations in
Austin become polluted and clean-up tends to be very expensive, thereby affecting taxpayers.
Its has been proven that “each year, City staff and volunteers pull 250 tons of trash from Lady
Bird Lake (in addition to the 6,500 tons removed annually from Austins streets)”.
 A final reason why there is pollution in Lady Bird Lake is because of current recreational
uses. Simply put, all the activities Austin offers gives more opportunities for people to litter.
Specifically, on Lady Bird Lake you are able to hike, kayak/ canoe, paddleboard, and go on river
cruises. With activities relating directly to the water, such as the river cruises, passengers are
known for throwing trash overboard. Not to mention fuels that are exerted from the boat. But
non-profit organizations such as “Keep Austin Beautiful” are working with volunteers to gather
up the trash on “self motorized boats” (kayaks and canoes). The trash on the lake tends to be
found in the center or will be pushed ashore by light waves.

Due to trash running off into water, people doing recreational activities, and the past
usage of the water, Lady Bird Lake has become polluted. By raising awareness to this current
problem it will engage the public to become less irresponsible with how they litter. It could also
help to create regulations to prevent further harm to Austin's natural beauty.
 Sources cited
“Let's Can It.” ​Home,​ 13 Apr. 2019, ​www.austintexas.gov/department/lets-can-it​.

Mihaylo, Karen. “The Effects of Thermal Pollution on Marine Life.” ​Animals,​ 11 Aug.
2017, animals.mom.me/effects-thermal-pollution-marine-life-7712.html.