Introducing a new column about Lakes and Water Quality

The lakes season has returned!  I couldn't contain my excitement as the ice receded last week.  My husband and I moved to Detroit Lakes from Minneapolis last fall, and since then I have been dreaming about sunsets over the lake, catching walleyes, zipping across the water in the boat and stopping to take a refreshing swim.  On a 90 degree day in downtown Minneapolis there isn't much to do, but up here, we celebrate!

I would like to introduce myself as a new columnist for the Detroit Lakes Tribune.  Every week I will explain lake water quality concepts in layman's terms and offer tips on what you can do to help protect our lakes and our way of life in the lakes area. 

I earned my Masters Degree in freshwater ecology from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus last year.  My interests and expertise span the subjects of lake ecology, water quality, habitat protection, and insects. 

As a sneak preview, I look forward to covering the following subjects this year: lake trophic states, fish habitats, effects of phosphorus in lakes, common insect pests, aquatic foodwebs, algae, lake structure, lake terminology, shoreline restoration, funding sources for restoration projects on your lake and much more.  I will also include some fun fact columns such as insect and fish records.  If you have a particular question or subject you would like addressed, please contact me at 846-1465 or lakes.rmbel@eot.com.  I welcome your suggestions.

There are some easy things we can all do to protect our lakes and streams.  Even if you don't live on a lake, your actions may affect the water more than you think.  For starters, bury extra live fishing bait in your yard, clean up after dogs, and avoid disposing of yard waste in the lake.  Carefully check your boat and motor for plant fragments every time you put your boat in and out of the water to avoid spreading aquatic invasive plants.  When buying a new boat, choose your motor wisely.  Conventional two-stroke outboards release between 20 and 30 percent of their fuel/oil mixture unburned in the exhaust stream.  Four-stroke motors have emissions 75 to 90 percent lower than conventional two-stroke engines, burn 30 to 40 percent less fuel, and last longer.  Maintain your septic system properly and have your septic tank pumped every two to three years.  Monitoring and cleaning your system regularly protects your groundwater and surface waters, and saves you money by prolonging the life of the system.  Plant native plants along your shoreline to act as a buffer and filter for runoff.  A groomed lawn that extends to the lake's edge enables runoff from the street and yard to enter the lake and can fuel algal blooms.  By following these simple suggestions you're well on your way to becoming a more informed citizen of Becker County, and a protector of our lakes and streams.

Until next week, enjoy the lakes!

Moriya Rufer is the Lakes Monitoring Program Coordinator for RMB Environmental Laboratories in Detroit Lakes, 218-846-1465, lakes.rmbel@eot.com.