Across the country, lakes are facing harmful algal blooms, oxygen loss, and stressed fish populations. Unfortunately, many common management practices are based on misconceptions—and instead of fixing the problem, they can make lakes even worse.

One of the biggest issues is the overuse of chemical treatments. While herbicides and algaecides may seem like a quick solution, they often create long-term damage. When algae are killed, they release toxins into the water. The decaying material consumes oxygen, creating “dead zones” and fueling the cycle for future blooms. What looks like a cure is often just another setback.

Another misconception is that surface conditions tell the full story. Clear water or oxygen near the top may look healthy, but deeper layers can be starved of oxygen and leaking nutrients from sediments—feeding the very problems we’re trying to solve.

It’s time to rethink how we manage our lakes. Smarter monitoring, oxygen restoration, and strategies that address both external and internal nutrient sources are critical if we want long-term recovery.

Read the full blog post here