Soil erosion is the single greatest threat to water quality. Why? Soil, nutrients and other pollutants are carried into the lake by storm water runoff from rain or snowmelt as it flows across the land.  Soil particles contains the nutrient phosphorus, a natural fertilizer that is found in soil and rocks, and occurs in man-made detergents, fertilizers, and sewage.  When soil enters the lake, carrying phosphorus, it promotes rapid algae blooms.  As the algae die off, the water becomes depleted of oxygen through the breakdown process, and fish and animals are unable to survive.

Algae blooms also turn water green and murky, make rocks slippery and give drinking water an unpleasant taste and odor.  It is the scarcity of phosphorus in a lake that limits algae growth.  However, when a lake receives extra phosphorus, algae growth increases dramatically.

Why should we protect Crescent Lake from polluted runoff? 

  • Once a lake has declined it can be difficult or impossible to restore.  Prevention is key.
  • A 1996 University of Maine study demonstrated that lake water quality  affects property values.  For every meter (3 ft) decline in water clarity, shorefront property values can decline as much as 10 to 20 percent!
Let's not allow this on our lake!

How do we protect Crescent Lake from polluted runoff and the harmful effects of phosphorus?

  1. Prevent rain water runoff from washing soil and pollutants directly into streams and the lake by diverting the flow into vegetated areas.
  2. Near the lakeshores, avoid clearing vegetation and let the lawn and raked areas return to natural plants.
  3. Avoid exposing bare soil.  Seed and mulch bare areas.
  4. Pump out septic systems every 2-3 years (4-5 for seasonal camps) and upgrade marginal systems.
  5. Take a soil test, and if you must use fertilizer at all, use phosphorus free fertilizer.
  6. Plant a vegetated buffer at the shoreline to help slow down and filter runoff before it reaches the lake.  Land vegetation will use the nutrients carried by storm water, preventing those nutrients from reaching the lake.  The wider the buffer the better it works.
  7. Don’t bring in sand to create beaches.  Don’t rebuild beaches without proper permits and dealing with upland runoff.
  8. If you have an erosion problem on your property, contact CLWA and we can visit your property to offer recommendations to fix the problem.