What’s Happening in Lake Erie? It is being invaded & disrupted! Copyright 2005 – 2009 Courtesy of NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

Issues Impacting Lake Erie’s Ecosystem & Water Quality Invasives Species Nonpoint Source Pollution Courtesy of Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Courtesy of USGS Courtesy of David Brenner Michigan Sea Grant

Invasive Species in Lake Erie There are many invasive species in Lake Erie. These are non-native aquatic animals that cause disruption to Lake Erie’s ecosystem. Some key invasive species include: Round Gobies Zebra Mussels Quagga Mussels Sea Lamprey White perch Courtesy of David Brenner University of Michigan Courtesy of David Jude, Center for Great Lake Aquatic Sciences Courtesy of USGS Courtesy of USFWS Courtesy of John Lyons, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Courtesy of David Brenner, Michigan Sea Grant Courtesy of J. Ellen Marsden, Lake Michigan Biological Station

Ship Ballast Water Many invasives entered Lake Erie and other Great Lakes in the ballast waters of ships. Courtesy of USGS Courtesy of Ladd Johnson, NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory Introductions By Other Means Some invasives were introduced as a result of recreational boating transports from one body of water to another.

Round Goby They out-compete native fish for food and habitat because they are aggressive and can survive in poor water quality conditions. The round gobies are capable of rapid population growth. Courtesy of David Jude, Michigan Sea Grant

Zebra Mussels Zebra mussels are little shellfish with striped patterns. They are similar to the quagga mussels. When they attach to pipes, after rapid reproduction, they can completely clog a pipe. Zebra mussel larvae can not be seen by a human eye. Courtesy of J. Ellen Marsden, Lake Michigan Biological Station Courtesy of Don Schloesser, Great Lakes Science Center, National Biological Services Courtesy of Steve Krynock Courtesy of GLSGN Exotic Species Library Courtesy of David Brenner Michigan Sea Grant

Quagga Mussels These are dominating over the zebra mussels and becoming the predominant species. They are water filterers, removing substantial amounts of phytoplankton. This decreases the food source for zooplankton thus altering the food web. Courtesy of David Brenner University of Michigan Courtesy of USGS

Sea Lamprey The sea lamprey is often mistaken as an eel. It’s tooth studded oral disk (mouth) is used like a suction cup to attach to the side of a host fish. It feeds on the host fish's blood. Usually the fish eventually dies from blood loss. The sea lamprey is one of the few invasive species that is being successfully controlled via a lampricide (TFM). Courtesy of David Brenner Michigan Sea Grant Courtesy of GLFC Courtesy of USFWS

White Perch White perch generally prey on eggs of walleye, white bass, and can cannabilize it's own eggs. It's diet includes zooplankton and fish eggs. This fish could restructure the fish populations in a body of water if it is not controlled. The white perch usually measures 5-7 inches. Courtesy of NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

Threats to Lake Erie These invasives are not in Lake Erie, but they could get into Lake Erie. Courtesy of USFWS Courtesy of David Jude, Michigan Sea Grant

Eurasian Ruffe The eurasian ruffe is a small fish (4 to 6 inches). They feed on the smaller fish that native fish feed on. They are very competitive with native fish and can eventually become a dominant species. They can survive in very poor water conditions and hence have an advantage over native fish. Courtesy of David Brenner, Michigan Sea Grant Courtesy of David Jude, Michigan Sea Grant

Two Asian Carp Which Are a Threat to Lake Erie: The silver carp leaps clear out of the water. This makes it hazardous to boaters as it can jump into moving boats causing injury and property damage. The silver carp is a large silvery, heavy fish. It can grow to over 3 ft and weigh over 59 pounds. The bighead carp can grow quickly to over 4 ft and to lbs. This is why you may have heard of the silver carp described as the “flying fish.” Courtesy of USFWS

A Future Threat! They are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They could quickly become the dominant fish in a body of water. These fish have been found in the Illinois River, which connects the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan. Courtesy of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Courtesy of David Riecks, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant College

Things You Can Do to Help - Remove any visible mud, plants, fish, or animals before transporting equipment. - Eliminate water from equipment before transporting. - Clean and dry anything that comes into contact with water (boats, trailers, equipment, clothing, dogs, etc.). - Never release plants, fish or animals into a body of water unless they came out of that body of water.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Nonpoint Source Pollution in Lake Erie Courtesy of H. Primbas, Sedimentation at the Bottom of Lake Erie’s Western Basin, Taken on Stone Lab Aquatic Science Workshop Cruise

Nonpoint Source Pollution There are two kinds of pollution. Point source pollution comes from one place and we can easily see where it is coming from (a factory, a home, other places or people). Nonpoint source pollution comes from many sources and can come from anywhere in our environment. Sometimes you can not even see it. There are many pollutants in nonpoint source pollution. This pollution comes mainly from people.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Often people don't know that they are causing it because they don't know where pollution particles travel.

Where Does Nonpoint Source Pollution Come From? When it rains, water moves quickly over the land and paved surfaces. The moving water or stormwater, just picks up everything along its path. Pollutants in the stormwater are also called polluted runoff. Once runoff goes into storm drains the water travels unfiltered into the streams.

Nonpoint Source Pollution Pollutants Sediments Nutrients Toxins Pathogens Some examples include:

Sediments Sediments are sand, silt, clay and soil. Construction moves the soil and other sediments around. Rain carries these into the drains and then into the streams. Sediments will make the water "cloudy." The fish can not see well in cloudy water and they can not find their food easily.

Nutrients Some examples of nutrients are nitrogen and phosphorous. Nutrients are found in fertilizers used to help plants grow. When too much fertilizer is used, the EXCESS fertilizer is washed away by rain and ends up in the streams hurting stream animals. Detergents also have nutrients and help to clean our cars but can hurt stream animals if detergents are dumped into drains.

Toxins Pesticides are used to help keep bugs off of plants. If they are not used properly and extra amounts are used, they can harm plants and animals. Oil, grease and gasoline from roadways can be harmful to plants and animals when they get into ground or surface water.

Pathogens Pathogens come from human and animal waste. Poop from farm animals or house pets that is carried off by rain water into the drains or streams cause disease and problems for animals and plants in the water. Human waste from sewage systems that don't work correctly also cause similar problems. Pathogens are organisms that cause disease. Bacteria and viruses are pathogens.

What Happens With All These Pollutants? When all these activities happen every day by all the people they can be a big problem.

Do You Think You Can Help? You can make a difference!!!! Let’s look at different ways that people can help. Of course you can!

Riparian Buffers Help build up eroded stream banks by planting a protective buffer (riparian buffer) to prevent the soil from moving into the stream during rainfalls. Planting native plants along the stream bank helps keep the stream environment clean, shaded and cold.

Helping Reduce the Nutrients That Enter the Water Ways * People can use the right amount of fertilizer and pesticides. * Wash your car on the lawn to minimize phosphates that enter storm drains or take your car to a car wash where suds are disposed of properly.

Reducing Toxins * Don't dump used car oil and other car fluids in the storm drains or on the lawn. * Recycle used oil and automotive fluids at participating service stations. * Dispose of hazardous chemicals properly. Don’t dump down the drain. * Change car oil regularly.

Reducing Pet Waste * Use pooper scoopers to collect and properly dispose of pet waste.

This presentation was developed by the Lake Kleenerz with funding provided by a grant from the Ohio Environmental Education Fund (OEEF) in collaboration with ODNR CLEVELAND LAKEFRONT STATE PARK For more information contact: Cleveland Lakefront State Park x3001 Copyright