Green lawn, green lake

There has been much publicity about failing septic systems and their threat to our lakes and streams. That threat is real, but there are others, one of which is often overlooked. It is fertilizer gaining access to these lakes and streams.

This comes from using fertilizer in close proximity to the water bodies and/or doing so when rain is in the forecast. Additionally, steep slopes also increase the risk. The fertilizer works to fertilize water also, and this increases the growth of aquatic plants such as algae, which produce the green slime we all so dislike. It also interferes with oxygen necessary for fish to thrive.

So if you live in proximity to our lakes and streams, be very careful when fertilizing your lawns and gardens. A green lawn looks great, a green lake does not.

— Carl Denny is Whitefish County Water District board president