Jordan River supports full ecosystem, aquatic life

The Jordan River may not be of biblical proportions, but questions surrounding its origin and history can be. \nMelissa Clark, a lecturer in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, said the river can be traced to drains that control water runoff from Eigenmann Hall. The Jordan River was called Spankers Branch before being named after IU's seventh president, David Starr Jordan, according to the economics department Web site. \nJordan Hall was named after the former IU president in a board of trustees meeting in 1994. Jordan was an expert witness in favor of evolution for the Scopes Monkey Trial and an accomplished biologist specializing in fish.\n"It's good to know his studies are still being represented on campus," junior Elizabeth Hathaway said.\nSeveral science classes in SPEA and the Department of Geological Sciences spend field days studying the river.\nWhile the Jordan River may not be home to exotic life forms, it does house normal aquatic life like crayfish and minnows. Clark said the Jordan River supports a full ecosystem, citing aquatic invertebrates as a common river life form.\nHowever, these life forms can be threatened by pollution. One of the biggest concerns for the river is storm water runoff, the effects of which can drag in debris and flood streets. Clark said the University's use of fertilizer pesticides and leaking cars are also potential sources of pollution.\nThe IU Office of Environmental Health and Safety Management is responsible for keeping the Jordan River pure. The Jordan River Renewal Work Group, chaired by IU professor Jim Capshew, has been operating in this capacity since 1998. Last year, IU's the OEHSM won awards for its safeguards against potential pollution threats.\nHowever, like many campus landmarks, the Jordan River isn't without its share of folklore and rumors. \nFormer IU student Jon Konrath's personal Web site, www.rumored.com, maintains the Jordan River goes underground before it hits Kirkwood Avenue.\n"At least once, someone found out the hard way that you can get pulled into the underground section if you're messing around in the water, and get spit out about a mile away after a rough underground waterslide ride," according to the Web site.\nIn sophomore Jake Ruby's experience, the Jordan River can also be a lost and found for modes of transportation. One night while walking through Dunn Meadow with some friends, he happened upon a partially submerged bicycle. After dredging it out, Ruby got several months' use out of it before giving it up when he returned home for the summer.\n"It really, honestly instilled in me a sense of surprise about the world. I always look for another bike abandoned in that river," he said.