10 Ways to Enjoy Improved Water Quality at the Lake
Swimming in a weed infested, oxygen suffocated lake is one of the most unappealing things to do, especially for those of us who love being on or in the water.
Not only does this idea not appeal to us, it doesn't appeal to the fish and wildlife that rely on quality water to maintain a healthy environment.
There is a vast difference between many of our lakes, which we can control.
Some have sandy bottoms that can be seen clear as day through twenty feet of water, others hide your feet in murky, unclean water the second you step off of the shore.
Here are 10 best practices for improving the quality of your lakeshore, as outlined by governmental oversight agencies: 1)Be careful when you are refilling boats or personal watercraft with gas.
Avoid fueling your boat while it is in the water; if possible, refuel at a safe distance from the shore.
2)Do not spray or clear driveways or decks that will wash into the lake.
This will keep the lake from collecting too much sediment, salt and petroleum from the remnants.
3)Always clean off and inspect watercraft when transporting them between different lakes.
Lakes have different species of plants and animals that can affect water quality in a non-native lake.
4)Do not landscape or modify your shoreline, untouched shoreline provides a natural habitat which is critical to healthy survival of fish and other wildlife.
5)Stop the use of fertilizers near freshwater habits, at the very least limit or reduce the use of fertilizers.
6)Install dock systems that use untreated wood.
Varnished wood or docks that are painted after installation can cause damage to the water when the chemicals are absorbed in it over time.
Use naturally resistant woods, metal or plastic for docks.
7) Make sure you have a properly functioning sewage system and that it is not draining into the water.
Sewage systems need to be maintained regularly to ensure that they are working correctly.
8)Try to avoid letting grass and garden clippings as well as leaves from the yard from getting into the lake.
An easy way to keep this from happening is to use a bag on the lawnmower and to use a compost pile for leaves or garden materials.
9)Avoid having too many hard surfaces or coverings that prevent water from soaking into the ground, such as driveways, sidewalks, and rooftops.
It is best for water quality to allow the fresh water to soak into the ground 10)Use no-phosphate detergent when washing your car or vehicle and do it off of a hard surface so that the water soaks into the ground, rather than the lake.
If everyone can follow these simple tips for improvement in water quality, quality of life at the lake will improve as well.
Help to preserve lakeshore property and maintain a healthy environment for the surrounding wildlife.
Our grand-kids and great grand-kids have the right to enjoy going to the lake as much as we do, it is our responsibility to get started on the path to making sure that happens.
Not only does this idea not appeal to us, it doesn't appeal to the fish and wildlife that rely on quality water to maintain a healthy environment.
There is a vast difference between many of our lakes, which we can control.
Some have sandy bottoms that can be seen clear as day through twenty feet of water, others hide your feet in murky, unclean water the second you step off of the shore.
Here are 10 best practices for improving the quality of your lakeshore, as outlined by governmental oversight agencies: 1)Be careful when you are refilling boats or personal watercraft with gas.
Avoid fueling your boat while it is in the water; if possible, refuel at a safe distance from the shore.
2)Do not spray or clear driveways or decks that will wash into the lake.
This will keep the lake from collecting too much sediment, salt and petroleum from the remnants.
3)Always clean off and inspect watercraft when transporting them between different lakes.
Lakes have different species of plants and animals that can affect water quality in a non-native lake.
4)Do not landscape or modify your shoreline, untouched shoreline provides a natural habitat which is critical to healthy survival of fish and other wildlife.
5)Stop the use of fertilizers near freshwater habits, at the very least limit or reduce the use of fertilizers.
6)Install dock systems that use untreated wood.
Varnished wood or docks that are painted after installation can cause damage to the water when the chemicals are absorbed in it over time.
Use naturally resistant woods, metal or plastic for docks.
7) Make sure you have a properly functioning sewage system and that it is not draining into the water.
Sewage systems need to be maintained regularly to ensure that they are working correctly.
8)Try to avoid letting grass and garden clippings as well as leaves from the yard from getting into the lake.
An easy way to keep this from happening is to use a bag on the lawnmower and to use a compost pile for leaves or garden materials.
9)Avoid having too many hard surfaces or coverings that prevent water from soaking into the ground, such as driveways, sidewalks, and rooftops.
It is best for water quality to allow the fresh water to soak into the ground 10)Use no-phosphate detergent when washing your car or vehicle and do it off of a hard surface so that the water soaks into the ground, rather than the lake.
If everyone can follow these simple tips for improvement in water quality, quality of life at the lake will improve as well.
Help to preserve lakeshore property and maintain a healthy environment for the surrounding wildlife.
Our grand-kids and great grand-kids have the right to enjoy going to the lake as much as we do, it is our responsibility to get started on the path to making sure that happens.
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