July 2013. 
One of the pleasures of living near Joe’s Creek is looking for the familiar things that show up each year – turtles, tadpoles, dragonflies, odd rocks, flowering bushes, and more. Usually we have a clue what we are looking at, or can make an informed guess.

But this year, as the weather warmed up and the water level dropped, there has been something new: bubbles. Lots of them. So many they have clumped into floating masses several yards long, stranding themselves in the creek in tacky, grimy patches of scum. Uh oh!

Fearing the worst, your creekwatchers called Dallas Water Utilities. It was gratifying that a water quality specialist showed up within a few hours and collected samples to test for hazardous substances.

The findings? Traces of phosphates and chlorine. What this means: sprinkler systems are washing fertilizer off area lawns, down the gutters and into the creek – something that can be documented on early morning walks almost every Sunday and Thursday. It’s a waste of both water and fertilizer. Money down the drain, you might say.

The good news is that the levels found were not high enough to endanger wildlife or pose an immediate public health hazard to humans. The not so good news? The resulting plant growth in the creek could obstruct water flow during heavy rains, creating a flood hazard. The area south of the Alta Vista Bridge was cited as an example.

What to do?

1. Check your sprinkler systems to make sure they are watering your grass, not your street.
2. Make sure your fertilizers are applied to grass only – not paved areas.
3. Use organic and natural products such as corn meal and dried molasses. These are less likely to wash away, and they improve your soil as well as feeding your lawn. And hopefully, they won’t bubble up the creek!

Vince Punaro & Rebecca Bergstresser

February 2013.
Those who live close to Joe’s Creek and its green belt and park enjoy a special window on the wild – a rare natural haven for wildlife in the midst of a major city. Its trees provide shelter and food for birds during winter and fall migrations, and nesting areas for birds that stay through the summer. Raccoons and possums populate the area, and various turtles (mostly releases from home aquariums) bask in the summer waters, while minnows dart in the shallows. Ducks often nest along the creek, possibly returning to the very place where they hatched.

As grassland and open areas have disappeared, coyotes and bobcats have found the creek a perfect path into our neighborhood. Here, as in urban areas all around the U.S., they are finding food and cover, and conditions to their liking. At the same time, roaming house cats and feral cats are drawn to the creek. Wildlife and domestic pets thus meet and compete in our area, with distressing results: cats and small dogs killed or injured by coyotes; migratory and nesting birds and their fledglings hunted and destroyed by domestic and feral cats. Without taking sides, we believe that we can best protect our pets and make our area safer for wildlife by adhering to the following guidelines:

1. Keep small pets (cats and dogs) indoors, or in enclosed outdoor areas. Domestic cats are vulnerable to injury and disease outdoors, since they are more likely to roam and encounter non-vaccinated cats or other animals. Veterinarians tell us that “The life span of cats outdoors averages only about 2 years, dramatically less than the 15+ years that we can expect with a healthy indoor cat.  Don’t simply feed ferals, TNR (trap neuter return) programs such as the one successfully established by Kittico in Dallas can operate to control and ultimately diminish the population in as humane a manner as possible.”
2. Don’t encourage wild animals by feeding them, either deliberately or accidentally. In fact, do discourage bold coyotes – any that you see in daylight or any that come close to or onto your property – by loud noise, by (carefully) throwing small objects, and otherwise making it clear that they are to keep clear.  Don’t just take their pictures, wildlife consultants tell us, “We know what they look like!” Do tell your neighbors – a timely warning may save a pet. For more information on “coyote hazing” techniques see the U.S. Humane Society.
3. If you feed your pet(s) outdoors, do not leave uneaten food out overnight.

Vince Punaro & Rebecca Bergstresser

December 2012.

Often in December it seems like it’s still summer, then its Christmas.  This year its FALL on Joe’s Creek, subtle in some places, in technicolor in others. In addition to the familiar red oaks and yellow elms, and some new green cedars getting established, visitors to the creek this week can still see the aptly named flame sumac, and various shrubs and trees with purple as well as bright red berries. It should be a good crop for the avian visitors too.  And in spite of the drought, some water is flowing in the upper reaches of the creek.

Walk your dog, meet your friends, or just walk Joe’s Creek this week. Below are some of the vistas you will see:

      

Vince Punaro & Rebecca Bergstresser

November 2012. 
While we may have varying opinions about the elections, we can all agree on some positive action for the good of Joe’s Creek: Let’s endorse continued vigilance of what is happening in the creek, to keep it clean, safe, and free of pollutants for everyone in the neighborhood.

Neighbors recently reported observing contaminants in the water of Joe’s Creek, including a milky white appearance that has occurred overnight on a number of occasions, perhaps indicative of a pattern of polluting, and in another case, an oily sheen on the water, suggestive of motor oil. Debris consisting of loose soil with broken glass and bits of pvc on the banks of the creek was also noted and reported to the city. The City of Dallas Stormwater Department assured us that they want to know about these instances, and such actions can be reported by calling 3-1-1.

The City of Dallas Stormwater page, www.wheredoesitgo.com, contains more detailed information on pollutants (did you know one quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water) and also links to brochures that specify fines (of up to $2000 per occurrence) for willful discharge of pollutants into storm drains, including leaves and rubbish as well as chemicals.

We on the Creek Committee would also like to be notified, and will assist in following up with the city if needed. We can be contacted at creek@npna.org

Vince Punaro & Rebecca Bergstresser