Bronte Wells
Lake Erie has been at the forefront of a national water pollution crisis for decades. By the 1960s, Lake Erie had become extremely polluted, largely due to the heavy industry that lined its shores. Factories, agricultural runoff, and waste from city sewers dumped pollutants into the lake, causing eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. This led to the coining of the phrase, Lake Erie is dead. While there have been cleanup efforts and environmental regulations since, Lake Erie continues to face pollution issues, with phosphorus load targets mostly not being met as of 2023.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | About 12 million people live in the Lake Erie watershed, including 17 metropolitan areas with more than 50,000 residents. |
| Water Source | Lake Erie provides drinking water for about 11-12 million people. |
| Pollution | Lake Erie has been the most polluted of all the Great Lakes. In the 1960s, it was perceived to be "dying" due to pollution from heavy industry, agricultural runoff, and sewage. |
| Action Plans | In 1972, the Clean Water Act was passed to tighten regulations on industrial dumping. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement was also signed between the US and Canada to reduce pollutants. |
| Recent Issues | In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply. In 2018, the western part of the lake was declared "impaired." In 2019, a lawsuit was filed against the EPA for inaction. |
| Phosphorus Pollution | Excess phosphorus, mainly from agricultural runoff and industrial wastewater, contributes to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. |
| Conservation Efforts | Various organizations are working to implement agricultural watershed management and invasive species control. |
| Current Status | Lake Erie continues to exhibit high nutrient conditions, with stable phosphorus levels in the central and eastern basins but persistent issues in the western basin. |
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What You'll Learn
Lake Erie is the most polluted of the Great Lakes
The lake is the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, and is the most susceptible to threats of pollution due to its diverse and intensively industrialized watershed. The Lake Erie watershed is largely agricultural, highly urbanized, and exposed to the greatest stress from industrialization. It is subjected to significant urban and agricultural runoff, with immense sediment loads from exposed agricultural and urban lands. The lake's western basin is very shallow, making it the most turbid region of the lake as most of the lake bed is covered with fine sediment particles that are easily disturbed by wind and wave action.
Lake Erie's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, which contributes to eutrophication and harmful algal blooms. These blooms can produce microcystin bacteria, which is more poisonous than cyanide and can cause liver damage and other health issues in humans and animals. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply to 400,000 people for three days. Phosphorus-rich wastewater also feeds algal blooms that turn the water green. In 2019, the Ohio EPA declared western Lake Erie officially "impaired", and agreed to develop a clean-up plan.
There have been efforts to address the pollution in Lake Erie. In 1972, the United States and Canada signed the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to reduce pollutants entering the Great Lakes. Additionally, lawsuits have been filed against companies such as the Campbell Soup Company for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act by allowing polluted wastewater to flow into the lake. However, as of 2024, phosphorus load targets are still mostly not being met, and Lake Erie continues to exhibit eutrophic conditions.
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Phosphorus pollution from agriculture causes algal blooms
Lake Erie is the southernmost Great Lake, with shores in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and the Canadian province of Ontario. It is the source of drinking water for about 11 to 12 million people. However, as the shallowest and most industrialized Great Lake, it is also the most susceptible to pollution.
Lake Erie's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, nearly 90% of which comes from the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed. Animal manure and chemical fertilizers used to grow crops contain nitrogen and phosphorus. However, when farms use too much fertilizer or mismanage manure, rain can wash these pollutants into nearby waterways. In addition to agricultural sources, phosphorus can also come from industrial sources and wastewater treatment plants that discharge treated water into receiving lakes and rivers.
Excess phosphorus causes an overgrowth of algae in a short period of time, also called algal blooms. Because algae need phosphorus to grow, when there is too much of it, they can grow out of control, causing problems for the ecosystem. One special kind of algae, known as cyanobacteria, can cause additional issues. When these algae grow in excess, they can release toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans, pets, and wildlife. The overgrowth of algae also consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants. When the algae eventually die, they further deplete the oxygen in the water, making it impossible for aquatic life to survive. This event is known as a "fish kill."
Phosphorus pollution can have a variety of harmful impacts on a lake or river. In addition to toxic cyanobacteria blooms, it can cause excessive growth of invasive aquatic plants and low dissolved oxygen levels in the water. In Lake Erie, phosphorus pollution has contributed to the growth of invasive species such as water chestnut and Eurasian milfoil, which change the ecosystem and make it difficult for boaters and swimmers to navigate.
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Industrial pollution and sewage also contribute to Lake Erie's pollution
Lake Erie is the most industrialized of the Great Lakes, with about one-third of the total population of the Great Lakes basin residing within its watershed. The lake is exposed to significant stress from industrialization, and it receives the greatest amount of effluent from sewage treatment plants compared to the other Great Lakes.
During the 1960s, water quality issues in Lake Erie became a significant concern. The lake was perceived to be "dying" due to heavy industrialization and pollution from factories and sewage. This led to increased levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, contributing to eutrophication and algal blooms.
Today, Lake Erie continues to face pollution challenges. Industrial pollution and sewage remain contributing factors. For example, in 2024, the United States Department of Justice and environmental groups filed lawsuits against the Campbell Soup Company, alleging that its manufacturing plant in Ohio allowed polluted wastewater containing excess phosphorus to flow into the lake. This incident highlighted the ongoing issue of industrial wastewater pollution in the lake.
Additionally, Lake Erie is susceptible to sewage and wastewater pollution. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply, impacting 400,000 people. This issue prompted legal action against the U.S. EPA for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act and protect Lake Erie communities.
The high levels of phosphorus in Lake Erie are of particular concern. Phosphorus pollution contributes to eutrophic conditions, promoting plant and algae growth. While there have been efforts to limit phosphorus loads, as of 2023, phosphorus load targets are mostly not being met. This continues to impact oxygen concentrations in the lake, leading to hypoxia or "dead zones."
To address these issues, ongoing efforts and innovative solutions are essential. The National Wildlife Federation's Great Lakes Regional Center has proposed a range of suggestions, including rewarding agricultural retailers for promoting conservation practices and updating funding strategies. By working together and finding creative solutions, it is possible to protect Lake Erie and ensure safe drinking water for the millions of people who depend on it.
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The Clean Water Act was passed in 1972 to address pollution
Lake Erie is the shallowest and most industrialized of the Great Lakes, and as a result, it is the most susceptible to pollution. The lake's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, which comes from the agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed. The lake's water quality issues became a concern in the 1960s, and in 1969, the Cuyahoga River caught fire, bringing negative publicity to Cleveland and its polluted waterways. This led to the Federal government stepping in to address water pollution in Cleveland and across the nation.
In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, tightening regulations on industrial dumping and establishing a basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into US waters. The law gave the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to implement pollution control programs and set wastewater standards for industry. It also maintained existing requirements to set water quality standards for all contaminants in surface waters and made it unlawful for any person to discharge pollutants from a point source into navigable waters without a permit.
The Clean Water Act is one of the United States' most influential modern environmental laws, and it has resulted in much cleaner waterways since its passage. However, agriculture, industry, and communities continue to discharge waste into surface waters, and nutrient pollution (excess nitrogen and phosphorus) has become a major problem. Lake Erie continues to be plagued by harmful algal blooms, threatening the drinking water of the 12 million people it serves.
To address Lake Erie's pollution issues, ELPC and Advocates for a Clean Lake Erie sued the U.S. EPA in 2017 for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act. A federal judge agreed, and the Ohio EPA declared western Lake Erie officially "impaired" in 2018, which prompted a cleanup plan from the state-level EPA. ELPC has also filed lawsuits against the Trump Administration EPA and the City of Toledo, alleging that their plans do not adequately remediate Lake Erie's pollution issues.
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Conservation efforts are needed to protect Lake Erie's future
Lake Erie, the southernmost Great Lake, is a source of drinking water for 11 to 12 million people. It is also a prominent tourist attraction, contributing about one-third of Ohio's tourism and travel revenue. However, Lake Erie is highly susceptible to pollution due to its shallow waters and high levels of industrialization and urbanization. In the 1960s, the lake was perceived to be "dying" due to pollution from heavy industries, agricultural runoff, and sewage. This led to the passing of the Clean Water Act in 1972, which tightened regulations on industrial dumping.
Despite these efforts, Lake Erie continues to face significant pollution challenges, particularly from harmful algal blooms (HABs) fueled by excess phosphorus. The western basin of the lake, which is very shallow, has been identified as highly eutrophic, promoting excessive plant and algae growth. This has led to green scum coating the lake, impairing the recreation economy, and threatening drinking water. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply for three days, affecting 400,000 people.
The primary source of the excess phosphorus pollution is the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed. Liquid manure and solid manure from confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are contributing to high levels of phosphorus in the lake. Additionally, industrial agriculture is adding excessive fertilizer and animal waste to the waterways connected to Lake Erie. The result is increased bacteria in the lake, including E. coli, and high toxin production, which poses risks to human and aquatic life.
Conservation efforts are indeed necessary to protect Lake Erie's future as a vital source of drinking water and a driver of tourism revenue. While there has been progress in understanding and addressing the problem, ongoing initiatives and innovative solutions are essential. This includes implementing the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan, which outlines pollution limits, and exploring market-based approaches and updated funding strategies. By working collaboratively and thinking creatively, it is possible to find effective solutions that balance environmental protection with economic interests.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lake Erie is polluted.
Lake Erie's pollution is caused by excess phosphorus, which is contributed by the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed.
The pollution in Lake Erie has led to harmful algal blooms, which have impaired the recreation economy and threatened drinking water. These algal blooms can produce microcystin bacteria, which are poisonous and can cause health issues in humans and animals.
There have been lawsuits filed against the US EPA for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act and protect Lake Erie communities. In 2019, a cleanup plan called a TMDL, or Total Maximum Daily Load, was agreed upon to outline pollution limits. However, as of 2024, phosphorus load targets are still mostly not being met.
People can support conservation efforts and urge their representatives to prioritize finding solutions to the pollution problem in Lake Erie. Holding industries accountable for their impact on the lake and ensuring proper wastewater treatment are also crucial steps in reducing pollution.
