EPA’s National Lakes Assessment Finds Widespread Nutrient Pollution

EPA has released the results of its National Lakes Assessment that shows widespread nutrient pollution across the nation.  The Assessment found that four in ten lakes it studied are suffering from too much nitrogen and phosphorus.  The assessment is part of a series of National Aquatic Resource Surveys designed to provide information about the condition of water resources in the U.S.  The surveys are conducted in partnership with states and tribes to provide national-scale assessments of the nation’s waters.  An earlier National Lakes Assessment was conducted in 2007, but this latest study was expanded to include smaller lakes and increase the number of lakes assessed.  Lake managers can use the new interactive dashboard to evaluate site-specific information and to explore population-level results.  Conducted on a five-year basis, future lake surveys will help water resource managers assess broad-scale differences in the data and perform trends analysis.  For more information, go HERE.