A Few Bright Ideas For Improving Water Quality

AGRICULTURAL AREAS

ü Have soils tested to determine the amount of fertilizer needed. Often these tests will help reduce the amount of fertilizer needed for maximum yields, saving farmers money and helping to protect water quality.

ü Use conservation tillage methods. This saves time, fuel and wear and tear on equipment. It also reduces soil erosion, sediment load and nutrient concentrations in Iowa’s surface waters.

ü Keep septic systems maintained to make sure they are functioning properly. A faulty septic system can be a health hazard for you and your family, as well as for Iowa’s lakes and streams.

RESIDENTIAL AND BUSINESS AREAS

ü Use only zero-phosphate lawn fertilizers. About 150 Clear Lake lawns were tested and 92% showed sufficient levels of phosphorus for grass growth.

ü Do not allow grass clippings and other yard wastes to enter the streets. This is a Clear Lake city ordinance. Rain or lawn sprinklers will wash these materials into storm drains which empty to the lake.

ü Clean-up pet feces. This is also a Clear Lake city ordinance and very important for keeping bacteria levels low in Clear Lake.

ü Adopt-A-Storm Drain. This program is made up of volunteers who routinely remove debris that collects at public approaches and storm drain inlets.

ü Abide by no-wake zones. Going too fast in no-wake zones contributes to lake sediment resuspension, which reduces water clarity and makes more nutrients available for algal growth.

ü DO NOT put carp or bullheads into Ventura Marsh. Bottom dwelling fish like carp contribute greatly to sediment resuspension, so keeping them out of the marsh is a high priority.

ü Clean your boat before entering Clear Lake to ensure you do not transfer any exotic plant or animal species into the lake.

ü Be careful when fueling boats that none spills into the lake. These chemicals obviously impair water quality.

ü Clean-up after yourself and others. If you find litter in or around the lake, please remove it so we can all enjoy a cleaner environment.

     Contact the CLEAR Project at (641) 357-2532; dknoll@netins.net; or P.O. Box 863 Clear Lake, IA 50428