Lake Water Quality – Nutrients and Algae Production

Water clarity can be affected by the amount of algae production in the lake. Some of the nutrients, specifically nitrogen and phosphorus, that are applied as fertilizers to farm fields enter the lake with eroded soils and runoff water. The result is that products intended to grow healthy corn and soybeans end up fertilizing aquatic vascular plants and algae, creating a rapid growth situation that results in algae "blooms." These blooms can often be seen as films on the water or as a green or brown coloration of the water. The blooms mostly consist of single-cell algae forms and, although they reduce water clarity, they can actually be beneficial because they prevent the extensive growth of submersed vegetation that causes concerns for boaters in some lakes.

To read about other lake water quality issues, select one of the links below.