Can we go to the lake? A case for the future.

"How do you make it a lake again?" The plea was a simple question on the Internet, but the urgency was obvious. As vital elements in the recreation patterns of many Americans, lakes offer hours of pleasure for millions of people through boating, skiing, fishing or simply enjoying the view. Now, as use patterns and pollution hazards increase, those lakes are facing serious problems.

The aforementioned cyber-plea concerned Lake Minnetonka in the western suburbs of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Land of 10,000 Lakes. The increasing density of watercraft has led many people to avoid the water on summer weekends. Boating accidents have turned recreation experiences into tragedy. And predatory species like Eurasian water milfoil and zebra muscles have changed the fishery and altered the fragile ecosystem.

The plea ended with a drastic statement, "Lake Minnetonka is hardly a natural resource anymore. What may once have been natural has been overwhelmed by the shoreline residences and businesses. It's a large septic waterhole at this point. How do you make it a lake again?"

Unfortunately, Minnetonka is not the only lake facing this same serious challenge; a challenge to its very existence. The original electronic communication concerning Minnetonka generated correspondence from China, Australia, Sweden, and numerous states. In one response chronicling the plight of a similar lake--lake Delavan--a research hydrologist with the United States Geological Survey in Madison, Wisconsin reported the implementation of drastic management actions. That Wisconsin lake was diminished from an oligotrophic (nutrient poor) system to a hyper-eutrophic (extremely nutrient rich) system through agricultural and urban runoff, sewage, and the resulting build-up of phosphorus in the sediment. A quality fishery was reduced to a composition of only carp, suckers and other rough fish.

Restoration attempts at Lake Delavan included a draw-down of lake level by 10 feet, placement of rip-rap--a sustaining wall that prevents erosion--along shorelines and channels, re-routing of the main inflow with its load of phosphorus, and other high-technology efforts. These efforts resulted in improved water quality, although the long-term results are difficult to gauge. After relaying the plight of Lake Delavan, the hydrologist concluded, "Lakes are not bathtubs... the only way to save your lake is to waste some time, waste some money, and make a valiant effort to change all the things affecting your lake. But in doing so, use the best science that is available!"

While Americans love the recreation provided by both natural and man-made lakes, they rarely consider the biological complexity of the system that they know as a body of water. If the water is clear, it is presumed to be clean. If the fishing is good, everything is fine. If the summer sun is shining, boating is great. If we can save enough money, let's retire to a cabin on the lake.

Historically, recreation managers and researchers have mostly focused their expertise on streams and rivers, addressing carrying capacity, visitor experience, resource protection, and similar issues. While they have not been completely ignored, researchers have placed less emphasis on lake environments. That emphasis must change if lakes are to remain a viable part of the ecosystem, as well as profitable and enjoyable outdoor recreation locales.

A Case for the Future of Lakes

A large, man-made lake in Oklahoma demonstrates the various problems created by recreation and other lake-related activities; problems that are repeated on both natural and man-made lakes throughout the country. In this case, the economic, social, cultural, and recreational values of communities surrounding a 50-year-old lake are threatened by the very people who most enjoy it.

Grand Lake o' the Cherokees, commonly known as Grand Lake, was formed in 1940 with the impoundment of the Grand Neosho River. The impoundment is formed by the longest multiple-arch dam in the world, spanning nearly a mile. The 51 arches and 21 spillways constructed in the late 1930s present a remarkable engineering feat. Grand Lake is the uppermost and largest of three lakes located on the Grand Neosho River with a total drainage area of 10,298 square miles largely from Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. It is classified as a moderately hard water lake--calcium carbonate [(CaCO.sub.3]) type water--which is generally alkaline and shows distinct pH shifts, especially during summer stratification.

As a fishery, Grand Lake supports species indigenous to the river prior to its impoundment. One major concern over the quality of the fishery, has been the dissolved oxygen (DO) content of its water. Since the early 1980s, heavy metal contamination, primarily from abandoned lead and zinc mines in southeastern Kansas and northeastern Oklahoma, in the upper end of Grand Lake has been another concern. Among the more publicized sources of such potential contamination is a "Superfund" site called Tar Creek. Water quality studies conclude that the contamination appears to be confined to sediments in the upper reaches of the lake and does not pose an immediate threat to the overall quality of water in Grand Lake.

Recreation Management on Grand Lake

Grand Lake is operated by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) under license agreement (1494-002) from the federal Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). The GRDA was established as a "conservation and reclamation district" in 1935 by the Oklahoma Legislature. Its current license was issued in 1992 and includes eight new ERC requirements. One of which was the development of a long-term recreational management plan for the lake, which would place recreation at the center.

The Authority is funded primarily by revenues from the sale of electric power, now generated by thermal (coal-fired) and hydroelectric plants. In addition, GRDA is authorized to control, store, preserve, distribute, and sell the water in its impoundments for "irrigation, power and other useful purposes." Recreation is among those useful purposes.

Since the GRDA does not actually manage recreational land, it has transferred certain properties to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to be used as state parks. Five state parks have been established at various locations along the 1300-mile shoreline of Grand Lake.

Sixteen other public access points are mainly used for bank fishing, swimming and non-power boat activities. In addition, numerous "volunteer" public access points correspond with rights-of-way and old road beds scattered throughout the region. Such locations are undocumented, usually not maintained at any specified level of care, and used primarily by local residents and those who know the region. These points of access are also mandated as public.

Other lake access is permitted by GRDA for anchorage, wharf, dock, boat-dock, houseboat, and landing privileges. Records indicate 3,830 private and commercial docks are the primary means of access for most residents and visitors.

These docks--less than 1,100 square feet and not used for commercial activity--vary greatly in architecture, appearance and use patterns. Many private docks suffer from minimum upkeep and have deteriorated so they detract from the surrounding properties. While regulations define distance between docks, separation from the channel in respective coves, and general safety standards, it is apparent that many property owners have failed to follow these regulations. In some instances, electrical lines can be seen dangling into the water, presenting an obvious danger of electrocution to both recreators and residents.

One hundred-thirty-four commercial docks are permitted on Grand Lake; 32 of them belong to major commercial marinas. The commercial docks provide over 3,500 slips for boats of various sizes. Similar to the private docks, quality, architecture and safety standards vary greatly and are not heavily regulated.

Assuming that each private dock or commercial slip may have only one boat, more than 7,000 boats have access to Grand Lake from private and commercial property. Public access could provide another 3,000 watercraft on the lake's surface, creating a situation ripe for overcrowding. If everyone wanted to use the lake at one time, there would only be approximately four acres of water per boat; in an area that far exceeds the preferred maximum density of one boat for every 15 water acres, established by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

In an effort to maintain control, GRDA established a Lake Patrol, which employs nine full-time patrol personnel equipped with vehicles and patrol boats. All vehicles are equipped for law enforcement, communication, life saving, and other public services. In addition, the Lake Patrol operates seven shallow-water search and rescue boats for emergency situations.

Recreation Patterns on Grand Lake

Every lake shows specific recreation patterns that reflect local customs, tradition and opportunities. Boating, water skiing, relaxing, fishing, and viewing wildlife were the most frequently reported activities among local residents. Sailing, sail-boarding, camping, and hunting were additional popular visitor activities. As the popularity of these activities and the numbers of participants increase, recreational activities become more hazardous.

Personal watercraft (jet skis or wave runners) are rapidly increasing in popularity throughout the country and at Grand Lake. Improved technology permits these highly maneuverable watercraft to jump across the wake of larger boats or to slalom through obstacles in their path. Easy handling allows almost any driver to operate at relatively high speeds in congested traffic areas, creating a variety of potentially dangerous situations.

One specific location on the lake offers a unique attraction as well as a potential hazard. Customarily used for cliff diving, the bluff at Gray's Hollow is the perfect backdrop for a combined social event and outdoor recreation experience. Local tradition encourages boaters to anchor or lash their crafts together in a floating party. The combination of sunshine, water, alcohol, and partial nudity produces an attraction that brings people from considerable distance. Four of the nine Lake Patrol officers are needed on busy summer days to manage the densely packed onlookers, maintain safety in boating traffic and prevent physical conflict between boaters.

In a survey of recreational users, almost 60% had experienced some conflict with other users of the lake. The conflicts were largely focused on unsafe boat operations in a variety of scenarios. These included unsafe personal watercraft, violation of basic speed laws, unsafe boating practices, inappropriate activities, and over-crowding of boats. The most frequent conflict arose between operators of personal water craft and waterski boats.

These survey respondents indicated that the least appealing aspects of Grand Lake were the fluctuating water level, too many personal watercraft, over-crowding, litter, and large boats. Other negative characteristics included the murky and trashy appearance of the Lake, too much development, unsafe recreation conditions, increased number of mobile homes, lack of respect among and between lake users, lake of law enforcement, and camping in non-designated areas. Survey results were shared at a series of public hearings, which raised discussions on establishing speed limits, no-wake zones, boat size limitations, and commercial development restrictions.

Recreation Planning for Lakes

In the case of Grand Lake, an ERC requirement forced the GRDA to develop a recreation plan for the lake. Such planning is needed for every lake, natural or man-made, to assure its survival, as well as its ability to support continued outdoor recreation. At the very least, such plans should include:

(1) estimates of existing and future use of the lake by activity;

(2) the level of use (carrying capacity) that would begin to detract from a safe and/or enjoyable recreation experience;

(3) recommended measures for managing lake use if it exceeds the determined carrying capacity;

(4) a plan for providing public access to accommodate projected increases in lake use over the term of the license within the identified carrying capacity;

(5) a plan to address habitat of endangered or threatened species;

(6) a description of the methodologies used to satisfy these requirements;

(7) a list of maintenance standards for public recreation areas;

(8) continued provision of a lake patrol and development of interpretive material;

(9) continued management of lakeshore development via the current permitting system; and

(10) a plan for managing fishing tournaments.

Similar attitudes permeate American thought regarding public waters and lands. Emotions run high during discussions of intended use and regulations. Many ardent lake users feel that, "those are public waters and I will use them any way I see fit." But this attitude is not always beneficial to the lake's long-term viability. The future of lakes will depend upon current planning.

Planning has been the key to development, management and continuation of land-based recreation areas. Many of those locations exist under the same perceptions of public domain that is applied to lakes. Planning will be the key to managing and maintaining lakes that are capable of providing recreation and enjoyment for coming generations. Lakes must be viewed as an ecological and biological system; planners must address water quality, recreation use, habitat health and capacity, commercial and residential development, and economic impacts all in the same plan.

Visitor and user education has aided management in modifying the behaviors and attitudes of those using the land or water for recreation. Such education is essential to the continuation of recreational activity on lakes throughout the United States.

If future generations are to receive the same enjoyment from lakes, recreation and park professionals must become more active in defense of the resource, more knowledgeable in the dynamics of lakes, and more active in planning for their future. Lakes must be perceived as "living" systems whose health is at risk from human factors.