Скачать или смотреть Why is my lake green? Here are three common “greenies” and what they each mean for your lake.

Let’s talk about aquatic plants. Green water can be a sign of an unhealthy lake - but not always!

Healthy lakes and ponds will often have duckweed, a native aquatic plant. If you look closely, you can see they have little tiny leaves and roots, sort of like miniature lily pads. If the water beneath the duckweed is clear, it usually means the lake is still healthy. Plus, ducks like it. 🦆

You might also find water that is crystal clear but has aquatic plants growing beneath the surface of the water or filamentous algae. That is normal - lakes are like that. Aquatic plants provide food and shelter for fish and other animals like the turtles.

Watch out for water that is pea-green, looks like spilled green paint, or smells bad. This is usually caused by blue-green algae and happens when there is too much phosphorus in the water - typically from stormwater or farm runoff.