{"id":15384,"date":"2019-08-22T19:32:03","date_gmt":"2019-08-22T22:32:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/?p=15384"},"modified":"2025-04-04T13:19:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T16:19:17","slug":"water-shoreline-prevent-algae-bloom-lawn-care","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/water\/water-shoreline-prevent-algae-bloom-lawn-care\/","title":{"rendered":"Live by the Water? Prevent Algae Blooms with Lake-Friendly Lawn Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

Those fortunate enough to live by a shoreline have inherited a special responsibility along with spectacular views: Your landscaping habits can either help your gorgeous waterway \u2014 or harm it.<\/p>

Summer has become algae outbreak season, with the thick scum coating the surface of lakes, rivers and ponds \u2014 and excess lawn fertilizer runoff gets much of the blame for the blue-green algae blooms.<\/p>

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The City of Austin banned pets from Lady Bird Lake after dogs began dying in a summer 2019 toxic algae outbreak. Credit: Danielle Miller for LawnStarter.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The summer of 2019 has been especially harsh. In addition to causing the usual dead fish, the warm water blooms have taken a toll on dogs. So far in 2019, a total of nine dogs have died after swimming in toxic algae, with five deaths reported in Austin, Texas<\/a>, alone.<\/p>

Other dogs have died in Wilmington, N.C.<\/a>, Rochester, Minn.<\/a>, Burlington, Vt.<\/a> and Bartow County, Ga<\/a>. Inside the pea-soup blooms lurked toxins that dogs’ smaller livers can’t handle when they chase that ball and then lick themselves dry. They often die within minutes.<\/p>

There’s no way to tell by looking at the discoloration of a body of water whether the species of algae present in it is a toxic algal bloom or not. According to the Centers for Disease Control<\/a> (CDC), “A HAB can look like foam, scum, or mats on the surface of water and can be different colors. HABs can produce toxins that have caused a variety of illnesses in people and animals. HABs can occur in warm fresh, marine, or brackish waters with abundant nutrients and are becoming more frequent with climate change.”<\/p>

Reports of Toxic Algae Blooms Skyrocket<\/h2>

In 2010, there were reports of toxic algae in just three locations across the U.S. Since then, reports of almost 300 harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water in 48 states have been reported. The problem continues to worsen, according to a report<\/a> from the nonprofit Environmental Working Group.<\/p>

Runoff from fertilizer is one of the main causes<\/a> of HABs. Some algae blooms release cyanobacteria. Some of the bacteria can produce cyanotoxins can harm animal and human health.<\/p>

Toxic algae are just the beginning. Fertilizer runoff has also been linked to skin rashes, breathing trouble and stomach upset<\/a>; fish kills<\/a>; and contaminated drinking water<\/a>.<\/p>

If you live on the water, your landscaping practices could either prevent harmful algae blooms \u2014 or help cause them.<\/p>

“The public plays an important role in reducing nutrient pollution,” says<\/a> the St. Johns River Water Management District, which monitors the water quality of the river as it flows north through 18 Northeast Florida counties. “Each of us can use fertilizers wisely, such as only when lawns show nutrient deficiencies, according to manufacturer directions and avoid using fertilizers just prior to a rain.”<\/p>

Chemicals in Fertilizer Degrade Water Quality<\/h2>

The nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer mix that you apply to lawn has enormous potential to impact water quality:<\/p>

Nitrogen is water-soluble and can move through the soil and leech into waterways<\/a>.<\/p>

Phosphorous, which contributes to vigorous growth, can deplete the oxygen in water and contribute to the formation of algae blooms<\/a>. One study<\/a> found that lawn residential lawn fertilizers were one of the dominant sources of water pollution in urban watersheds.<\/p>

Kevin Frank, an extension turf specialist and professor at Michigan State University, suggests creating a 5-to-10-foot buffer strip between your lawn and the adjacent waterway and avoid applying fertilizer in this zone.<\/p>

\u201cMaintaining this distance back from the water\u2019s edge helps ensure that when you apply fertilizer, there is reduced risk of throwing fertilizer or having it bounce into the water directly,\u201d he explains.<\/p>

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NASA image distributed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing the 2015 algal outbreak in Lake Erie. <\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tips for Applying Fertilizer<\/h2>