The United States has many beautiful lakes you may want to spend your outdoor activities.
However, not all these lakes have clear water.
Some of these lakes have been negatively affected by toxins, algae, or agricultural by-products like fertilizers.
In this guide, I will take you through some of the most polluted lakes in the country.
Which state has the most polluted lakes?
Florida has the most polluted lakes in the United States.
The Sunshine State ranks number one for the most polluted lakes with the highest total acres.
I don’t think you want to swim in any of these lakes.
For instance, these affected lakes don’t have healthy marine activities.
I have seen many of these dirty lakes across Florida, and it’s a sad development.
No one wants to spend quality outdoor time around an unhealthy lake.
I know that the waters suffer from algae blooms associated with fertilizer run-off from the thousands of farm acres, and dirty storm water.
That means that you may get sick if you drink from these lakes because of the high levels of bacteria or fecal matter.
In addition, aquatic animals die off because of low levels of oxygen, including other pollutants.
Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Lake Okeechobee is the most polluted water in Florida.
The lake is the largest freshwater lake you can find in the state, and often called Florida’s Inland Sea.
The farms around the lake have made it challenging to take away the toxin nature associated with this lake.
Farmers use fertilizer products which run off when the rain falls or during hurricanes.
There have been many attempts to clean the water of its toxicity.
I was aware of the fresh water pumped into the lake to help the marine animals live.
I don’t think that this process worked because of the level of phosphate in the soil.
I heard from a biologist friend that it takes time for phosphate to get eliminated from the soil.
Key Points to Note
Although Florida has the most polluted lakes in the United States, none of its lakes sits in the number one position of most polluted lakes.
For example, when I talk about the country’s most polluted lake, I should start my list with the Onondaga Lake.
The Onondaga Lake is located in Central New York, and has become among the most polluted lakes you can see on earth.
There have been strict restrictions and laws guarding some state lakes affected by pollutants.
Some rivers affect the purity of lakes, which makes it challenging to use the water for some water activities.
For example, Lake Michigan has been protected by some of these federal laws.
On the other hand, Utah Lake, located in the western part of the country houses one of the largest freshwater lakes.
However, it contains nutrients that help algae to grow beyond control and elevates the water pH.
The disruption cause cyanotoxin production that leaves the water at a dangerous toxic level.
Some of the pollutants include:
- Wastewater treatment plant effluent
- industrial discharges
- stormwater discharge
- Nonpoint source runoff.
What is the dirtiest lake in the US?
Onondaga Lake is the most polluted water in the United States and among the world’s most polluted.
In the early 19th century, ice harvesting was the major culprit of Onondaga Lake’s pollution.
However, when I asked my lecturer at the university, she said that Onondaga Lake has suffered from pollution since the late 1800s.
She went on to tell me that the government stopped swimming and fishing in the water.
The presence of mercury made it difficult to try fishing in it.
Fish with traces of mercury are dangerous to our health.
I suggest you don’t get tempted and fish here,
Onondaga Lake is not only the most polluted lake in the country.
Here is a list of a few polluted water.
Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake has has massive acres, making it the largest lake in the New York.
I was close to Great Lakes when I saw this lake, and I decided to relax close to it.
However, phosphates from urban, agriculture, and suburban have pushed the toxin nature of the Oneida Lake to skyrocket.
I suggest that the state implements some best management practices like sediment control systems, manure storage systems, and barnyard runoff management systems.
These practices may help in reducing the phosphate levels on the ground and lake.
Lake Michigan, Wisconsin
Do you know that Lake Michigan is the second-largest Great Lake by volume in the United States?
While, it could have been one of the finest places to swim and unwind, its pollution is heavy.
The death of this lake has ended its fishing, swimming, and some other water activities.
I don’t think you might want to taste the water because of its dead fish, algae, or motor oil slim.
Lake Erie, Michigan
Lake Erie is the smallest Great Lake by volume and one of the most polluted in the country.
The industrial activities around the lake’s coasts have affected the water quality in a negative way.
When industries dump their waste in the lake, it becomes both human and animal problem.
If you understand how difficult, it is to clean a water world, it would become easier to manage the many water worlds in the country.
Where is the most polluted lake in the World?
In the United States, Onondaga Lake is the most polluted lake.
While Lake Karachay, Russia is the world’s most polluted lake.
I know many of us have not heard about this lake, especially if you have not visited Russia.
Lake Karachay is situated in western Russia’s southern Ural highlands.
Final Thoughts
I have always loved swimming, but I am careful with algae and its toxins.
I know that some places in the country has pollution problem.
Since farmers often move around water to grow their produce, the use of fertilizer has increased.
Therefore, I suggest that you do your part in keeping these water worlds safe and clear.
