The water bodies were chosen based on the severity of pollution, the potential for contamination that could harm people and aquatic life, and interference in such activities as swimming and boating, said Ecology spokeswoman Mary Getchell. The nitrogen is harmful to fish, causing something similar to the bends in scuba divers. The Wenatchee River is too warm and its oxygen levels are too low, mainly because of low river levels at certain times of the year. The Entiat River is also suffering from warm temperatures, mainly because of low water levels and a lack of trees and shrubs along its shores. Lake Chelan and Roses Lake both have PCBs, a banned chemical once used in transformers and industry, and pesticides from farming.
Mission Creek has pesticides from farming.
Winthrop Marshal Joe Mueller said today he's accepted a job as Odessa police chief, just a month after he was placed on administrative leave by the mayor over allegations he neglected his duties. Mayor Don Johnson declined this morning to discuss results of the investigation, or reasons why Mueller was placed on the 30-day leave. Mueller said he was placed on leave because people were drinking alcohol during a snowshoe softball game at the town field in February. Mueller said he went to the ball field to investigate complaints that people were drinking without a permit required by the town. He said he talked with tournament organizers, in an effort to work something out.