Nutrient runoff from surrounding land, especially phosphorous, that fuels the overproduction of toxin-producing bacteria such as blue-green algae. 

These toxins not only degrade water quality, they can cause health complications in humans and animals ranging from mild rashes and sneezing to severe gastrointestinal and respiratory distress and failure, convulsions, paralysis, and death. Learn more

Encouraging nutrient-management best-practices in agricultural operations and providing training programs to educate industries on nutrient management. Learn more

Re-establishing natural watershed buffers and channels to reduce nutrient runoff. Learn more

Elimination of natural banks from shoreline development and erosion.  Banks populated with native flora act as natural filters for runoff nutrients and help maintain lake stability and water quality. Learn more

Industrial and residential drainage piped directly into the lake adds unfiltered wastewater, nutrients, and chemicals to the problem. Learn more

Shallow lake depth that makes it easy for winds to move water, stir up nutrient-rich bottom sediment, and spread blue-green algae rapidly. Learn more

Identifying and deploying water quality improvement strategies to clean the lake in its current condition.  Learn more

Conducting water quality monitoring and increasing public awareness and information resources.  Learn more 

Political inactivity that has stagnated progressive thinking along with the water. Learn more