July is Lakes Appreciation Month in North Dakota

The North Dakota Department of Health, in conjunction with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, North Dakota State Water Commission and the North American Lake Management Society, is celebrating Lakes Appreciation Month this July.

When thinking of North Dakota, images of the Badlands, wheat and cornfields, and even oil wells are likely to pop into your mind before lakes. However, you may be surprised to learn that North Dakota has about 4,500 lakes. Of that number, 450 have public access and some degree of oversight by the Game and Fish Dept.

Many North Dakota lakes are desirable destinations for boating, fishing, camping and swimming. Lake festivities in the summer and fishing derbies in both summer and winter attract in-state and out-of-state recreational enthusiasts alike.

Most state residents get their drinking water from groundwater or river sources. However, about 67,000 North Dakotans depend on a lake for their source of drinking water. A majority of these people live in southwest North Dakota and receive their water from Lake Sakakawea. The "big lake" is also being considered as a water source for the growing population in the northwestern and eastern parts of the state.

However, there are three main threats to North Dakota's lakes: 1) The pollution of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, 2) the build up of sediment from runoff, 3) the increasing presence of aquatic nuisance species.

Typically, excess nutrients come from one of five sources including erosion and runoff from cropland, runoff from animal feeding operations, industrial and municipal facilities, storm water runoff/residential fertilization and failing septic systems. Once in the lake, these nutrients affect dissolved oxygen levels by promoting excessive vegetative growth and potential fish kills.

Excess nutrients also promote the growth of blue-green algae, which can cause skin irritation or produce toxins that can be lethal to pets, livestock and wildlife and potentially lead to medical complications in humans. While naturally occurring, these harmful algal blooms have increased in frequency and severity due to increased nutrient pollution.

Bare soil and precipitation events lead to erosion that carries sediment into our lakes where it settles out. Excess sediment lowers the volume of water in the lake and over time may result in a shallow, weedy lake that is unsuitable for most fish species.

Aquatic nuisance species can greatly degrade or ruin habitats and compete with native and desirable aquatic species for food and space. Not only do recreational fisheries suffer, but also industries and communities that rely on lakes or rivers for their water supply.

The North Dakota Game and Fish has developed a list of aquatic nuisance species available at http://www.gf.nd.gov/ans/species. There are some very simple and effective ways you can help prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species:

 • Remove all aquatic vegetation from boats, personal watercraft, trailers, an equipment such as fishing poles, bait buckets, lures, duck decoys and waders before leaving the water.

 • Drain all water from boats and other watercraft, including bilges, livewells, baitwells and motors before leaving a water body.

 • Remove all drain plugs that may hold back water. Open water-draining devices on all watercraft and recreational, commercial and construction equipment bilges and confined spaces during any out-of-water transport.

As you venture out to your favorite lake for a fishing trip, a weekend of camping or just a leisurely boat ride, remember it depends on you to help keep the shorelines clean and the water free of aquatic nuisance species. Most importantly...If You Pack It In...Pack It Out!

 To help celebrate Lakes Appreciation Month, consider leading or taking part in activities such as:

 • Organizing a lake cleanup project.

 • Organizing a biking or hiking event at a local lake.

 • Helping organize a local lake festival.

For more information contact the North Dakota Department of Health Water Quality and Watershed Management Program at (701)328-5210.