Goose Poop: A Lake Pollutant?

The presence of goose poop in lakes has become an increasingly common issue, with a growing number of Canada geese becoming permanent residents in the US due to climate change. An adult goose can produce up to 2-4 pounds of feces a day, contributing to a substantial amount of waste in lakes. This waste contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, leading to eutrophication and the growth of algal blooms. While human illness from goose poop is rare, the toxins produced by the algae can be harmful to people and fatal to pets and other wildlife. The accumulation of goose poop near lakes can also result in water contamination through runoff, causing a negative impact on water quality and the surrounding ecosystem.

How much goose poop is too much?

The amount of goose poop that is considered too much depends on several factors, including the size of the goose population, the frequency of their visits, and the capacity of the affected water body to absorb and recover from the waste input.

A single adult goose can produce up to two to four pounds of feces per day, and with their growing population, this can quickly add up to substantial amounts of waste. Geese are attracted to bodies of water, especially those with shorter grass and vegetation, as it allows them to keep a lookout for predators. This means that a flock of geese can continuously contribute hundreds of pounds of fecal waste daily, resulting in thousands of pounds of waste accumulating in a water source over time.

The impact of goose droppings is more noticeable in areas with high concentrations of geese. The waste contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, which, in large quantities, cause eutrophication, leading to the growth of algal blooms. While algal blooms are rarely fatal to humans, they can be toxic and pose a higher risk of poisoning and death to pets. Moreover, the excessive growth of algae can deplete the oxygen levels in the water, choking and killing aquatic plants and animals. The toxins released by decomposing algae can also contaminate the water, endangering other organisms that drink it.

To manage the impact of goose poop on water bodies, several measures can be taken. These include algae removal through mechanical, physical, biological, and material intervention; aquatic plant management to prevent excessive plant growth; and the use of geese repellents, barriers, and dogs to deter geese from accessing the water.

The environmental impact of goose poop

The impact of goose droppings is more noticeable in areas with a high density of geese, such as lakes, ponds, and decorative fountains surrounded by parks, walking paths, and golf courses. The accumulation of goose poop in these areas can lead to a decline in water quality, causing algal blooms, other plant overgrowth, declining fish populations, and shoreline erosion.

The phosphorus and nitrogen found in goose waste act as nutrients that promote the growth of algae. While phosphorus is typically a limited resource, the abundance of it in goose poop can lead to excessive algae growth. This, in turn, results in a depletion of oxygen in the water, creating an unhealthy environment for aquatic plants and animals, ultimately choking them out and leading to their demise.

Additionally, the toxins present in goose waste, such as E. coli, cryptosporidium, salmonella, and other parasites, viruses, and bacteria, pose a health risk to wildlife and humans, especially when spending time in the water. The avian influenza, which can be carried by waterfowl, is another concern, although the impact on humans is still being researched.

The health risks of goose poop

While human illness from goose droppings is rare, according to Barb Avers, a waterfowl and wetland specialist, goose poop can cause a host of other health issues.

An adult goose can produce up to two pounds of feces per day, and with the growing population of non-migratory geese, this is leading to a substantial accumulation of waste in lakes and ponds. This waste contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, which cause eutrophication, or the growth of algal blooms. While these blooms are rarely fatal to humans, they can cause skin irritation and are dangerous to pets.

The algal blooms deplete the amount of oxygen present in the water, which has a negative impact on aquatic life and can result in the death of fish and other wildlife. The toxins released by the decomposing algae are also harmful to other organisms that drink the water, and can cause health problems, and even be fatal. Goose droppings can also contain E. coli, cryptosporidium, salmonella, and other parasites, viruses, and bacteria that are harmful to humans, especially when they are in the water.

To prevent these health risks, it is important to address the growing goose population and their impact on water sources. This can be done through egg depredation, landscaping, pond fencing, and other management strategies.

Managing goose populations

Goose poop can cause environmental problems. A single adult goose produces an average of 2 pounds of feces per day, and goose poop contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, which in large quantities cause eutrophication, or the growth of algal blooms in water bodies.

The management of goose populations has become a challenging task, with some populations of geese becoming so overabundant that they are destroying their own habitats and priceless ecosystems. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has implemented several actions intended to reduce, manage, and control resident Canada goose populations in the continental United States, including depredation and control orders that allow the destruction of goose nests and eggs by authorized personnel between March 1 and June 30.

Some other strategies for managing goose populations include:

• Egg depredation: Also called nest management, this strategy prevents eggs from hatching and culls the goose population. As a population control strategy, leaving the eggs intact but treating them so that they are inviable (a process known as addling) is a more effective approach.
• Landscaping: Geese favour short grass, which is better for feeding and visibility. Allowing shoreline grass to grow to at least three inches may help to deter geese. If grass can’t grow high enough, native plants may be planted near the shoreline.
• Pond fencing: This can help keep geese away and encourage them to find a different water source.
• Vegetated shorelines: Water edges should be planted with native riparian vegetation (those that are tolerant of moist to wet conditions). Some candidate species include willows, sedges, and rushes. While vegetated shorelines may reduce flocking behavior, some goose pairs may choose to nest along them, so they should be surveyed for nests in early spring.
• Treatment of vegetation: Vegetation can be treated with MA, which is safe for human consumption but makes it unpalatable to Canada geese. Vegetation treated with anthriquinone changes color within the ultraviolet portion of the spectrum, alerting geese that it is unpalatable.
• Land management practices: These practices will increase the susceptibility of light geese to harvest and make some lands less suitable for these birds. Some strategies include providing increased hunter opportunity, decreasing food availability, manipulating wetland areas, and altering winter habitats.

Preventing goose poop from entering lakes

Goose poop can contaminate water bodies, causing a negative environmental impact. A single adult goose can produce up to two pounds of feces a day, which, in a flock, can amount to hundreds of pounds of waste daily. This waste contains high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, which cause eutrophication, or the growth of algal blooms, in water bodies.

To prevent goose poop from entering lakes, here are some measures that can be taken:

Landscaping

Allowing shoreline grass to grow to at least three inches may help deter geese, as they favour shorter grass for better visibility and feeding. If the grass cannot grow high enough, native plants may be planted near the shoreline to act as a natural barrier to feces entering the water via runoff.

Pond fencing

Physical barriers can help keep geese away and encourage them to find a different water source.

Limit feeding

Signs should be put up to discourage people from feeding geese, especially in public places like business complexes or municipalities. Feeding the geese will make them more likely to stay in that area, making it harder to remove them.

Geese repellants

Similar to pest or bug repellants, there are chemical solutions that can be sprayed to deter geese. However, one concern with these is the runoff they can cause that can end up in the water.

Dogs

A dog or team of dogs can be used to flush and disperse geese from any area.

Frequently asked questions