Download Lake Ontario

Lake Ontario...
Why Has It Changed
We have learned: That Lake Ontario has many problems.The problems are
invasive species, invasive plants, pollution, dams, and people.
Problems of Lake Ontario are many: invasive species, climate change,
dams, pollution, and low water level.
Invasive species started in the Erie Canal in early 1830’s. It was a huge
impact. No one knew how huge!
The Alewife was the first invasive species in the Great Lakes. It has a
“poisonous” skin and when the
predators eats them, it prevents them from
reproducing.
There is 183
different types of
invasive species in
Lake Ontario.
Curly Pondweed forms thick layers that don’t allow other plants to
grow there.
Purple loosestrife was brought from Urasa
because they were so pretty.
One theory is that global warming will cause less ice on the
lake because the air gets warmer. Because of that, Lake
Ontario will have a lower level of water because it will
evaporate more quickly.
Water fleas eat small animals like Zooplankton which is an important food for Juvenile fish. Because they can
reproduce quickly, the water flea reduces the population of juvenile fish and takes over the food supply.
Asian Carp are fast-growing, mean, that are fighting native fish species for food and habitat.
Zebra Mussels are very sharp. If you step on one, your foot will bleed a lot. Zebra mussels spread like crazy! The
Zebra Mussel is a small freshwater clam, and has a cream colored striped shell. It is a invasive species.
Zebra Mussels come from European ships traveling in the Great Lakes.
Zebra Mussels were first found in 1958/59. Round goby arrived by international ships (like zebra mussel). Zebra
mussels can filter the entire volume of water in Lake Ontario
Faucet Snails can carry parasites that can injure or kill waterfowl such as ducks.
Round Gobies are bottom dwelling fish. There are a lot of gobies because not a lot of fish go so deep
in the lake. They are spreading to drainages and creating problems.
We will go to Lake Ontario with the Upper school students to clean up the
shoreline. There are beetles that eat purple loosestrife, and we will raise money
to buy them.
We made a sign up sheet to get more people to help us clean up Lake Ontario.
We wrote to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to express strong support for Lake
Ontario St. Lawrence River Plan 2014.
We are going to try to make a trash can buoy.
In STEM we are going to try to make an underwater vacuum cleaner to help to
clean Lake Ontario.
Observation –
We decided to use self-reflection as our
observations.
“I didn’t know that Lake Ontario had this many problems and it
really needs to get help.” Student A
“I’ve learned that Lake Ontario has so many problems and are I am
trying to fix it.” Student B
“I didn’t know that most of our drinking water comes
from Lake Ontario and we need to protect it.” Student C
“I didn’t know that Lake Ontario has that many
problems. My family has a cottage on Lake Ontario and
we need to improve the quality on Lake Ontario.”
Student D
Conclusion
Lake Ontario is an amazing place. Unfortunately, there
are many problems with Lake Ontario. Worse of all,
these problems are the result of man!
Invasive species need to be brought under control.
Dams need to be either removed or up-dated.
Since man caused the problems, man needs to fix them.
We are fourth graders and we are willing to help. Are
YOU willing to help?
Please help us, before it is too late!!!!!!
j
Watertown Daily Times.com
2015 Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program. Site Designed By My Digital Nature
Kids Inquire Of Diverse Species
Why The Water Flea Makes Life Miserable For Lake Fish By: Katie Jakaub, Special To The
Citizen
usatoday.com
protectyourwater.net
Mr. Klein
Nature Conservancy Senior Field Representative
Diane Broberg – our schools Community Service Coordinator
Zebra Mussels are unwelcome invaders of Ontario Waters By: Huntsville Forester
National Wildlife Federation Asian Carp Threat to the Great Lakes
douglascounty.civicplus.com
denniskalma.com