Wader Wash Stations on the Yough

[goodfortune]

Wader wash stations have been installed at popular access points on the Yough. Click the link below for the full article, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Trout Unlimited chapter donates gear-wash stations in effort to combat invasive didymo algae

 

[pwk5017]

Yep, I saw one at an access point to meadow run while hiking last week. The unfortunate part about the station was it was just a site, a bucket and a brush--there was no solution in the tub. Hence, the station was rendered useless.

I dont know, this is going to be damn near impossible to prevent. How many swimmers go from swimming in the yough above/below the falls and then do a run on the slides of meadow run? To further compound the problem, how many of them are educated on didymo or care about its spread? My guess would be, "about the same amount as those that have a full compliment of teeth"

 

[mcfinn]

Nice. Putting brine stations up & using simple signage to educate others is a positive start. Remeber x years ago when "Staff Must Wash Hands Before Returning to Work" signs popped up in public restrooms? That idea started somewhere small, too. I admire the plucky local TU chapter calling an audible, so to speak. Now if we could only get the herons to wash up before returning to work as well...

 

[pwk5017]

I didnt mean to come across as being so cynical, but this is just a sinking ship of a situation. When I saw the station on meadow, I said a little, "yes!" in my head. I just dont know how this situation can be curtailed with the wildlife, the masses of fools that recreate there, and the proximity. Still, I love both streams and only want the best for them, so I applaude any and all efforts to mitigate this.

 

[Lonewolve]

Seen these stations on alot of streams i fish in Maine for years now.Really a great idea if folks use em an also if they have a cover to close over it so that the fluid doesnt all evaporate.

 

[greenghost]

Hats off to the State and CRTU for acting quickly. Will it stop the spread? Probably not. Will is slow the spread? Possibly. Will it raise awareness of didymo in the public eye? Yes. It's a low-cost, high-profile no brainer.

 

[dryflyguy]

All of the previous reports that I've read claimed that the didymo was only confirmed below the falls at ohiopyle. However, this report now claims that it's also been found around confluence - 10 miles upstream. I guess that was to be expected though. Still sad to hear it.

FWIW - My brother - in - law has a camp a few miles away from confluence. And when I brought up the subject of didymo in the yough with him just a few weeks ago, that was the first he had heard about.
Hopefully, the wash stations will help spread the word around a little better