Meghan Hodges
Lake Erie, the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, has been facing pollution issues for decades. With a diverse and highly populated watershed, the lake is susceptible to pollution from various sources, including urbanisation, industrialisation, and agriculture. While there have been efforts to improve water quality, the lake continues to experience problems such as harmful algal blooms, excessive sedimentation, and nutrient pollution. The question remains: is Lake Erie still polluted, and what more needs to be done to address this ongoing issue?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | About 12 million people live in the watershed |
| Geography | The smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes |
| Water inflow | 80% through the Detroit River, 11% from precipitation, and 9% from other tributaries |
| Pollution | Excess phosphorus pollution, agricultural runoff, and sediment loading |
| Algal blooms | Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur every summer, impairing the recreation economy and threatening drinking water |
| Toxicity | Lake Erie turns toxic every summer due to nutrient pollution and cyanobacteria |
| Efforts | Lawsuit filed against the EPA for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act, development of a TMDL plan, and ongoing research and innovation for better treatment and detection |
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What You'll Learn
Lake Erie's algae problem
Lake Erie is the shallowest and most industrialized of the Great Lakes, and as such, it is the most susceptible to pollution. The lake's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, which fuels harmful algal blooms. These blooms are a result of runoff pollution, where rainfall washes fertilizer and manure from large farm fields into streams that flow into Lake Erie. The blooms can produce toxins that threaten the health and drinking water of the 11 to 12 million people around Lake Erie.
The Maumee River, which feeds into Lake Erie, runs through extensively farmed agricultural land in eastern Indiana and western Ohio. The agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed contributes excessive fertilizer and animal waste into the waterways connected to Lake Erie. This has led to an increase in harmful algal blooms, which have plagued lakeside communities in Lake Erie's western basin every summer for over a decade. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply to 400,000 people for three days.
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) provides forecasts for seasonal blooms of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in Lake Erie, typically from July to October when warmer water creates favourable conditions for these blooms. While satellite imagery can help track the location and extent of these blooms, there is no continuous water quality monitoring of Lake Erie itself. Funding for monitoring stopped at the turn of the century, and there is often no sampling at the outfalls of the tributaries to Lake Erie.
To address Lake Erie's algae problem, there have been calls for mandatory regulations to reduce the amount of runoff pollution from big farms. In 2018, the Ohio EPA declared western Lake Erie officially "impaired", which should have prompted a cleanup plan from the state-level EPA. However, the EPA's plan failed to adequately address the agricultural sources of pollution. As a result, lawsuits have been filed against the EPA for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act and protect Lake Erie communities.
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$14.75
Phosphorus pollution
Phosphorus is an essential plant nutrient. However, when phosphorus levels are too high, they can have detrimental effects on the health of a lake. High phosphorus levels in Lake Erie are degrading water quality, causing algal blooms, and creating zones of low oxygen, which harm aquatic life.
Phosphorus loading from non-point sources, such as agricultural and urban stormwater runoff, is particularly high in Lake Erie. This runoff carries excess fertilizer and manure, which contain high levels of phosphorus, into the lake. The agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed is a significant contributor to the excess phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie, with liquid animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) leaching into the water.
Efforts to reduce phosphorus levels in Lake Erie have been made, with Michigan achieving a 20% phosphorus loading reduction by 2020 by targeting key wastewater facilities. However, more needs to be done to address agricultural non-point sources of phosphorus pollution. MDARD in Michigan is working to accelerate conservation efforts and promote regenerative agriculture practices to reduce phosphorus runoff into the lake.
In addition to agricultural sources, municipal sewage treatment plants and industrial effluent are also sources of phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie. These point sources of pollution are more easily identifiable and manageable compared to non-point sources. The Clean Water Act and the Canada–US Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement aim to reduce phosphorus loads entering Lake Erie, with a target of a 40% reduction from 2008 levels.
Overall, phosphorus pollution in Lake Erie is a significant issue that requires coordinated efforts from various sources, including agriculture, industry, and municipal sources, to reduce phosphorus levels and improve the health of the lake ecosystem.
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Industrialization and agriculture
Lake Erie is the most industrialized of the Great Lakes and is also largely agricultural. It is exposed to the greatest stress from urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture. The lake is the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, and its water warms and cools quickly. It is divided into three basins, with the western basin being the most turbid due to its shallow depth and fine sediment particles that are easily disturbed.
The Lake Erie watershed is the most populated of all the Great Lakes basins, with about one-third of the total population of the Great Lakes basin residing within it. The lake provides drinking water for about eleven million people. However, the lake has faced significant water quality issues due to industrialization and agriculture. In the 1960s, Lake Erie was perceived to be "'dying'" due to heavy industrialization and agricultural activities. Factories dumped pollutants, including phosphorus and nitrogen, into the lake and the waterways, leading to eutrophication and algal blooms. The Cuyahoga River, which flows into Lake Erie, became so polluted that it caught fire in 1969, bringing negative publicity and prompting government intervention.
Agricultural activities continue to contribute to the lake's pollution today. Excess phosphorus pollution, mainly from the agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed, has caused harmful algal blooms. These blooms have impaired the recreation economy and threatened drinking water supplies for communities around the lake. Liquified animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and fertilizer use have led to increased phosphorus levels, which contribute to algal growth. Despite efforts to address the issue, such as the Clean Water Act and lawsuits against the EPA, the lake remains vulnerable to pollution from industrialization and agriculture.
The effects of industrialization and agriculture on Lake Erie's water quality are complex and interconnected. Urban and agricultural runoff, as well as effluent from sewage treatment plants, contribute to the lake's pollution. Additionally, the nature of the underlying geology and land use in the region makes Lake Erie highly susceptible to sediment loading from exposed agricultural and urban lands. The lack of continuous water quality monitoring and funding cuts for environmental initiatives further compound the challenges of managing the lake's health.
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Lack of water quality monitoring
Lake Erie is the smallest and shallowest of the Great Lakes, with shores in several states, including 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. The lake is naturally divided into three basins, with the western basin being the most turbid region due to its shallow depth and fine sediment particles that are easily disturbed.
Lake Erie has a history of water quality issues, with the lake being perceived as "dying" in the 1960s and 1970s due to low sport fish populations, the presence of algae, and other environmental concerns. While there have been joint efforts and improvements in managing the lake's water quality, it continues to face significant challenges, especially during the summer months when it experiences harmful algal blooms (HABs) that impair the recreation economy and threaten drinking water supplies.
The lack of continuous water quality monitoring in Lake Erie itself is a concerning issue. Funding for monitoring specifically in the lake ceased around the turn of the century. While there are state-required Clean Water Act reports, they focus on complex criteria and evaluations for the lake's tributaries, and the data is reported statewide. This means that the water quality analysis of the tributaries is not compared to the receiving waters, resulting in a lack of comprehensive lakewide analysis. The absence of continuous monitoring and sampling at the outfalls of the tributaries further contributes to the incomplete understanding of Lake Erie's water quality.
The consequences of inadequate monitoring are far-reaching. Without continuous data and analysis of Lake Erie's water quality, it becomes challenging to identify and address the sources of pollution effectively. This deficiency allows pollutants, such as excess phosphorus from agricultural runoff and manure, to continue entering the lake, fueling the harmful algal blooms. The lack of monitoring also hinders the development of timely and targeted remediation plans, as the understanding of the lake's health is limited to a subject-by-subject basis rather than a comprehensive lakewide assessment.
The responsibility for water quality monitoring and enforcement falls on various entities, including state agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and local governments. However, there have been criticisms of inaction and delays in implementing effective solutions. While lawsuits and consent decrees have prompted the development of remediation plans, such as the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan, the lack of continuous and comprehensive water quality monitoring in Lake Erie itself remains a critical gap in understanding and addressing the lake's environmental challenges.
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Nutrient pollution
Lake Erie is the most industrialized of the Great Lakes and is, therefore, the most susceptible to pollution. The lake provides drinking water for about 11 to 12 million people, and it is the source of approximately one-third of the tourism and travel revenue for the state of Ohio.
The lake's algae problem is caused by excess phosphorus pollution, which is a type of nutrient pollution. This phosphorus largely comes from the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed. Liquified animal waste from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) is leaching into the water at growing rates. In 2014, a massive algal bloom shut down Toledo's drinking water supply to 400,000 people for three days, and the National Guard had to be deployed to bring in bottled water.
The Clean Water Act mandates that once a body of water is declared impaired, a cleanup plan must be put into place. In 2018, the Ohio EPA declared western Lake Erie officially impaired, but it failed to take remedial action. After years of litigation, the Commissioners, the U.S. EPA, and the Ohio EPA agreed to a consent decree under which the Ohio EPA was obligated to prepare a remedial plan.
The lake is naturally divided into three basins that function as three separate lakes. The western basin is 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. This basin is also the most affected by harmful algal blooms (HABs) due to its shallowness.
There is currently no continuous water quality monitoring in Lake Erie, and funding for monitoring stopped at the turn of the century. However, water quality reports from the states bordering Lake Erie indicate improvement in the lake's tributaries.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Lake Erie is still polluted. It is the most industrialized of the Great Lakes and is susceptible to pollution from urban and agricultural runoff.
Excess phosphorus pollution, which causes harmful algal blooms, is the primary cause of Lake Erie's pollution. This phosphorus primarily comes from the booming agricultural industry upstream in the Maumee River Watershed.
There have been several lawsuits against the EPA for failing to enforce the Clean Water Act and protect Lake Erie. In 2019, the Ohio EPA agreed to develop a clean-up plan, and there is ongoing research and innovation focused on finding solutions to tackle nutrient pollution in Lake Erie.
The pollution in Lake Erie has impaired the recreation economy and threatened drinking water for millions of people. Harmful algal blooms have shut down drinking water supplies and impacted boating and swimming in the lake. The pollution has also resulted in additional costs for water systems and local communities.
