Lake management is the process of lake restoration, lake preservation, and lake improvement. Lakes are susceptible to environmental problems that can be detrimental to their overall well-being. The following article will cover common lake management issues: eutrophication, overuse, invasive species, and solutions.
What Is Eutrophication?
Eutrophication is the natural aging process of lakes. As aquatic plants and algae decompose and settle to the bottom, bacteria break them down. This process consumes dissolved oxygen in the water, leading to nitrogen-rich compounds that fertilize new algae growth.
If eutrophication goes unchecked, algae crowd out native aquatic plants, deplete oxygen levels as they decompose, and even release toxins into the water.
How Does Overuse Affect Lakes?
Recreational demands for lakes continue to increase, but resources are finite, and too much recreational use can degrade lake water quality. Quality is an issue because humans are primarily dependent on lakes for drinking water, fishing, swimming, boating, and other uses.
Overuse of a lake occurs when the rate at which people enter or utilize the lake exceeds the capacity of the environment to maintain that use without degrading water quality or environmental health.
How do Invasive Species Harm Lakes?
Invasive species often out-compete native species for resources and can change an ecosystem by disrupting food webs. Invasive plants such as hydrilla attach to boats and create a risk of spreading to new locations. Zebra mussels and snakehead fish have caused headaches for years.
What Are Some Lake Management Solutions?
Several lake management solutions exist. One method, lake zoning, requires citizens to obtain permits before discharging certain pollutants.
Another lake management solution is the implementation of nutrient management plans (NMPs), where farmers within each watershed section work together to manage their nutrient output.
Finally, lake management strategies that focus on lake restoration and creation typically follow a “laundry list” approach of addressing all lake stressors simultaneously.
As you can see, lakes are delicate ecosystems. Effective lake management strategies are essential for the future enjoyment of pristine bodies of water. Federal legislation such as the Clean Water Act has heightened awareness regarding the importance of proactive lake management.
