Protect the West River Before Trouble Flows Downstream
On a summer day near Jamaica State Park, the West River can look as if it needs no help at all. Water moves past wooded banks and stones, and visitors come to walk, fish, swim, and enjoy the scenery. But a river that looks clear is not necessarily free of pollution, and a healthy stretch of water does not stay healthy by accident. The communities around the West River should invest in protecting its banks and reducing polluted runoff before problems become harder and more expensive to fix.
The West River flows through southern Vermont and eventually joins the Connecticut River. Near Jamaica State Park, steep, wooded hills rise above the river and its tributaries, the smaller streams that feed it. Rain and melting snow travel downhill, sometimes carrying soil and other materials into those streams. What happens on roads, lawns, trails, and construction sites can affect the water, even when those places are not right beside the river.
- vulnerable:
- Easily harmed or damaged.
- stabilize:
- Make something less likely to shift or wash away.
- durable:
- Able to withstand wear or damage.
- resentment:
- Bitter feeling caused by a sense of unfair treatment.
- precautions:
- Actions taken to prevent possible harm.
- resilient:
- Able to recover after difficulty or damage.
- aquatic:
- Living or occurring in water.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the author's main claim about protecting the West River?
- 2How does the opening contrast between the river's appearance and its possible condition support the author's claim?
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About this opinion piece passage for Middle School
“Protect the West River Before Trouble Flows Downstream” is a opinion piece reading passage about River protection, written for Middle School. It takes about 6 minutes to read (880 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.