EVERYLAKE is unique. Specific strategies to address a lake's water quality problems should focus on activities in the watershed and/or in-lake restoration techniques, depending on the nature and extent of the problem.

Lake management approaches fall into two categories, the "quick-fix" and long-term management. The quick-fix offers a short-term solution such as the application of herbicides to kill unwanted algae or macrophytes (large plants). It treats the biological symptoms of a lake problem, but does not address the underlying causes. Plant and fish productivity are dependent on the chemical and physical processes going on in and around the lake, and these must be considered in any plan to change the biology of a lake.

Long-term management considers all of the environmental, cultural, and biological factors affecting the lake and sets a priority on finding lasting solutions. If immediate in-lake restoration techniques are necessary, they should be followed by appropriate long-term management actions to control sediment, nutrient, and toxic inputs.

Lake management is a complicated job and likely will be a joint effort of community groups, individuals, landowners, and government. To be effective, lake management is a long-term commitment and investment. This and following sections briefly summarize various methods to improve a lake's water quality and indicate necessary permits and possible grants and loans.

In-Lake Restoration: Cleaning up problems

Controlling pollution sources will not improve lake water quality immediately in many cases. Years may pass before lakes cleanse themselves of accumulated nutrient loads and wastes. For this reason, in-lake restoration techniques have been developed to accelerate recovery. In-lake restoration techniques are briefly described in the table below. Consult the references at the end of this web-site for more details on these techniques.

In-Lake Restoration Techniques

Method	Advantages	Drawbacks
Dilution:  Flush with low nutrient water	Reduces nutrient levels. Washes out surface algae.	Requires large volumes of water.Does not eliminate sources of phosphorous from sediments or watershed.
Aluminate sulfate (alum) treatment	Lowers lake phosphorus content. Inhibits release of phosphorous from sediment. Increases water column transparency.	Temporary measure. Potential toxic impacts during application. Increased macrophyte growth due to water clarity.
Artificial circulation	Disrupts or prevents stratification. Provides aeration and oxygenation. Increases aerobic habitat.	Does not decrease algal biomass. May decrease water clarity. Adverse impact on cold-water fish.  No effect on macrophytes.
Hypolimnetic aeration	Maintains oxygen in hypolimnion.  Limits release of phosphorous from sediments. Increases habitat and food supply.	Difficult to supply adequate oxygen. Potential for destratification and subsequent algal blooms. No effect on macrophytes.
Dredging	Controls aquatic vegetation, deepens lake. Increases lake volume. May improve water quality.	Temporary resuspension of sediments. Temporary destruction of habitat. Disposal concerns. High cost.
Water level drawdown	Controls macrophytes. Consolidates sediments. Facilitates dredging or excavation. Facilitates dock repairs.	Poor effectiveness in mild, wet climates. Short-term benefit. Intensifies algal blooms. Temporary adverse impacts on fish and invertebrates. May leave docks high and dry.
Biomanipulaton: Adjust fish species composition	Encourages growth of zooplankton, which eat algae.	Considered experimental. Not effective where blue-green algae dominate.

Aquatic Plant Control

Many techniques have been developed for controlling aquatic plants and are briefly described in the table below. Additional information on advantages, disadvantages, permits, costs, and contacts for each technique are available at this link and in references provided at the end of this web-site.

Aquatic Plant Control Techniques