Manatees Visit The Hague

The Hague being a small side creek off the Elizabeth River, near Norfolk VA. Daily Press, Pair of manatees spotted in the Hague in Norfolk

Two manatees were spotted Thursday morning in the Hague, a relatively rare sight in the Ghent neighborhood of Norfolk.

The sea cows were spotted about 10 a.m. by a Daily Press/Virginian-Pilot staff photographer, who said they were about 6-8 feet long, from the Hague’s pedestrian bridge. A small group of people stopped to watch as the pair floated in the Hague. Just three weeks ago, a manatee surprised passengers coming back to the dock from a dolphin-watching excursion in Rudee Inlet.

The Hague has 25-30 large water outfalls entering it, according to the Elizabeth River Project. Because of that, pollution affects the water quality of the Y-shaped inlet. Still, there’s plenty of diversity in the water. From cownose rays to dolphins and seals, creatures often associated with the ocean can sometimes be spotted along the Elizabeth River.

Shrimp and oysters tend to thrive, as well.

Research suggests manatee populations — more often associated with Florida waters — will gradually double over the next 50 years, and sea cows will move north as water temperatures warm in South Florida. This is due to threats to seagrass (manatee food) and a rise in “red tide,” a toxic form of algae, according to a 2017 report from the U.S. Geological Survey.

A few Manatees, including a repeat offender nicknamed Chessie, seem to visit the Bay every year. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if a few more came up to visit, I know some very nice grass beds over on the other side that they could help keep mowed.

However,  I don't recommend they stay long into Fall; our winters are far too severe.  

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Redheads – Threat or Menace? up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Elizabeth River Residents Seeing Red

At the Virginian-Pilot, Non-toxic dye spills into Elizabeth River; will take days for color to dissipate

A branch of the Elizabeth River will have a rusty hue for several days after someone spilled a non-toxic dye into a storm drain.

Norfolk Fire-Rescue and the city’s Stormwater Division notified the Department of Environmental Quality that up to 275 gallons of iron oxide dye had been spilled. The dye turned the water dark red, the city said in a news release.

The dye is not considered hazardous, and isn’t expected to cause any environmental or health issues, according to the city. The dye is used to color mulch. A spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality said drinking water won’t change color because there isn’t a drinking water intake point near the site of the spill.

Drinking water from the Elizabeth River? I shudder at the thought.

The color is expected to take a couple days to dissipate fully. It originated from a residence in the Ingleside neighborhood, a spokesperson for the city said.

“The dye is being carried by the tide and wind, and as of about an hour ago, it had made its way just outside of Broad Creek, a tributary of the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River,” Irina Calos, a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, said Friday afternoon.

The fire marshal gave the person responsible for the spill a warning for an illicit discharge into a storm drain because the substance isn’t toxic, according to Glen Williams, a spokesperson for the fire department. Williams said it was “easy” to figure out who did it. “Just follow the trail,” Williams said.

Calos said the storm drain was right next to the homeowner’s driveway. Calos said they haven’t determined whether the dye belonged to the individual for personal or commercial use.  “It’s kind of weird for a residence to have a ton of mulch dye, so that’s part of what [investigators] are looking into is what actually was the intended use,” Calos said.

That's some serious mulching