Inland Lakes of Ohio Nutrient Problems Explained in Watershed Academy Webinar
November 30, 2016
Get Insightful on Ohio's Inland Lake Restoration Efforts
Rick Wilson, Environmental Specialist, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus, OHShannon Brattebo, Environmental Engineer, Tetra Tech, Spokane, WADr. Harry Gibbons, Scientist, Tetra Tech, Seattle, WA
Join us for an exciting webcast, shedding light on Ohio's journey to restore and protect inland lakes from nutrient-related issues. We'll share the strategic collection and use of data, along with stakeholder engagement, driving Ohio's efforts to combat harmful algal blooms in drinking water sources and inland lakes.
The Environmental Protection Agency provides technical assistance, aiding Ohio in advancing nutrient reduction efforts. Tetra Tech, a leading consultant, has recently developed conceptual lake management plans for Kiser Lake and Lake Alma, managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Rick Wilson will delve into collaboration with inland lakes and drinking water program staff to prioritize lakes, recent advancements in lake management planning, and invaluable lessons learned from Grand Lake St. Marys and Buckeye Lake. Tetra Tech will present two captivating case studies at Kiser Lake and Lake Alma, bridging these plans to lake management planning topics that can apply to various states.
Webcast Flyer (pdf) (172.91 KB) 📄
Presentation Slides (pdf) (3.46 MB) 📄
In-depth Analysis:
Ohio's strategy to protect and restore inland lakes from nutrient-related issues has progressed significantly over the years, focusing on scientific assessment, regulatory actions, and targeted restoration. Although specific details on Kiser Lake and Lake Alma are scant, broader trends and strategies relevant to similar inland lakes in the region can help frame a comprehensive understanding.
Ohio's Strategy Transformation
- Scientific Assessment & Monitoring: States like Ohio employ monitoring programs to assess water quality and identify lakes impaired by nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These assessments are crucial for understanding nutrient pollution drivers and informing regulatory measures.
- Regulatory & Restoration Efforts: Collaboration between state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits has become prominent, with initiatives targeting agricultural runoff reduction, upgrading wastewater treatment, and restoring riparian buffers to minimize nutrient input into lakes.
- Adaptive Management: Recent research underscores the importance of studying spatial variability in lake and stream phosphorus concentrations to tailor restoration strategies effectively. This approach is now incorporated into many Ohio projects, ensuring tailor-made solutions for local conditions.
Addressing Kiser Lake and Lake Alma
- Watershed Management: Protecting lake ecosystems often involves comprehensive watershed management plans, addressing nonpoint sources of pollution like agricultural and urban runoff, key contributors to nutrient-related impairments.
- Community Partnerships: Restoration initiatives increasingly involve partnerships between conservation organizations, state agencies, and local communities, as seen in Pennsylvania's reforestation and restoration projects that improved water quality and habitat.
- Innovative Techniques: Techniques such as dredging sediment, applying alum treatments to lock up phosphorus, and restoring native vegetation have been used in Ohio's inland lakes, aiming to reduce internal nutrient cycling and external loading.
Comparing Nearby Regions
While specific projects at Kiser Lake and Lake Alma are not addressed here, nearby regions can provide relevant comparisons. For instance, in Pennsylvania, reforestation and land management have been employed to address compacted soils and invasive species affecting water quality in pristine natural lakes. In the Great Lakes region, agreements are in place to tackle eutrophication and water quality impairment through a mix of policy and restoration activities.
Key Restoration Approaches (Summary Table)
| Strategy | Application in Ohio Inland Lakes | Example in Nearby Region ||----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|| Watershed management | Reducing nonpoint source pollution | Riparian buffer restoration || Scientific assessment | NARS data for monitoring and planning | Spatial phosphorus variability studies|| Partnership projects | State/local/nonprofit collaboration | PA lake reforestation initiatives || Innovative restoration | Dredging, alum treatment, native planting | Great Lakes eutrophication agreements |
Conclusion
Ohio's commitment to protect and restore inland lakes from nutrient-related impairments has evolved toward more integrated, scientific, and collaborative strategies. While specific actions at Kiser Lake and Lake Alma are not detailed here, the state's strategy aligns with broader regional practices: emphasizing scientific monitoring, watershed management, community partnerships, and innovative restoration techniques to improve water quality and ecosystem health. 👍
- The strategic collection and use of data in Ohio's inland lake restoration efforts include scientific assessment and monitoring of water quality, identifying nutrient-impaired lakes, and studying spatial variability in phosphorus concentrations to tailor restoration strategies effectively.
- Collaborative efforts between state agencies, local governments, and nonprofits in Ohio have targeted agricultural runoff reduction, wastewater treatment upgrades, and riparian buffer restoration to minimize nutrient input into inland lakes, addressing nutrient-related lake impairments.
- Ohio's strategy for restoring and protecting inland lakes from nutrient-related issues also involves adaptive management, meaning that they study spatial variability in lake and stream phosphorus concentrations to ensure tailor-made solutions for local conditions.
- Restoration initiatives for inland lakes in Ohio incorporate innovative techniques such as dredging sediment, applying alum treatments to lock up phosphorus, and restoring native vegetation to reduce internal nutrient cycling and external loading, ensuring healthier water bodies.
- Comparing nearby regions like Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes, it can be observed that other states have also employed comprehensive watershed management plans, partnership projects with conservation organizations, state agencies, and local communities, and reforestation and land management strategies to address compacted soils and invasive species affecting water quality in pristine natural lakes, much like Ohio's approach to Kiser Lake and Lake Alma.
