Whole-System Phosphorus Balances as a Practical Tool for Lake Management

Journal or Book Title: Ecological Engineering

Keywords: Phosphorus; Watershed; Lake management; Phosphorus accumulation; Phosphorus retention

Volume/Issue: 29/3

Page Number(s): 294-304

Year Published: 2007

Abstract:

Controlling phosphorus (P) inputs to lakes remains a priority of lake management. This study develops watershed P balances for 11 recreational lakes in Minnesota. Areal P input rates to the watersheds ranged from 0.32 to 6.0 kg P ha−1 year−1 and was linearly related to the percentage of watershed in agriculture. Watershed P retention ranged from 10% to 89% of input P. Although many best management practices work to increase P retention (by trapping P in basins; reducing erosion; filtration), P retention is not sustainable indefinitely, particularly in “hot spots” such as septic leach fields and heavily manured fields. The watershed P balance tool is a framework that can allow watershed managers to develop novel strategies for managing P. P management strategies should be developed to keep P inputs and exports in balance so that P does not accumulate; long-term P accumulation is not sustainable and can eventually lead to lake eutrophication.

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2006.09.009

Type of Publication: Journal Article

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