Algae growing in the Snake River near Celebration Park, Idaho.

The Snake River is a major tributary of the Columbia River, and although the waters of both rivers eventually flow to the same place (the Pacific Ocean), the similarities between the rivers stops there. While the Columbia River is has a large volume and its downward flow is enhanced by elevation differences along its course, the Snake River has much less water and flows somewhat lazily along its course until Hell's Canyon. While the Columbia River tends to be clear and clean- especially in its' upper reaches, the Snake River brings all its' baggage with it for the trip.

Naturally this river has more sediment than the Columbia, however increasing demand for water resources and land use practices have contributed to excess nutrients (nitrates and phosphorus), and increased sediment load. There are also high levels of bacteria such as fecal coliform, mainly derived from livestock operations. One of the largest feedlots in United States is located on the banks of the Snake River just upstream from where this photo was taken. The Middle and Lower Snake River, which once supported a cold-water trout fishery, now for the most part sustains pollution-tolerant warm-water and nongame fish species such as suckers and carp. Algal growth is a natural part of river ecosystems and form the basic building blocks of aquatic food chains. There can be hundreds of species of algae within a single river, and these can be an important indicator of water quality. When nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from chemical fertilizers and livestock waste are in excess, algal growth increases. This results in dense mats of algae can choke off waterways to boaters and, through decay and respiration, can reduce oxygen to levels lethal to fish and other aquatic organisms.

The photo to the left was taken at an old overgrown beach that is no longer used- for obvious reasons. Even though it may be hot in the summertime, no one in their right mind would swim in the Snake River. Not only does it look bad, the water also smells like cowpies.