What's Wrong with Lake Erie and How Can We Fix It

In the last several years, the Great Lakes have experienced destructive and toxic algae blooms. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted that this year’s algae bloom in Lake Erie could rival that of 2011, the most severe bloom on record. Phosphorus from farm runoff combined with favorable weather and lake conditions are producing large and dangerous blooms. Researchers note that if land management practices and climate change trends continue, the lake is likely to see more blooms, putting fish, livestock, and humans at risk.

As part of the Year of Clean Water series focused on elevating the value of water, join us for a conversation with Jeffrey M. Reutter, Ph.D., Special Advisor to the Ohio Sea Grant College Program and Stone Laboratory at The Ohio State University. He will discuss how Lake Erie works, its history of both degradation and rehabilitation, the current harmful algal blooms and dead zone, and what needs to happen to fix them.