Community Responses to Water Quality Decline in the Lake Mendota Watershed
File(s)
Date
2014-12Author
Matthews, Weston
Gunderson, Eric
Gottwig, Quincy
Caple, Scott
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Land use and land cover (LULC) are critical factors in determining the water quality
of surrounding water bodies. Although the mechanisms are different, both urban and agricultural LULC increase the quantity of runoff directly entering nearby hydrological systems as well as increase the phosphorus, nitrogen and chloride content of the runoff. Lake Mendota in Madison, Wisconsin receives runoff from both urban and agricultural LULC, accelerating lake eutrophication and severely degrading its water quality, evoking a response from the community. To understand this response, researchers analyzed archival photos, conducted interviews with the major stakeholders and collected surveys on the knowledge and engagement in best management
practices (BMP's) of residents on the lake. Their findings highlight the long history of LULC around Lake Mendota and the currently disbanded efforts to improve the lake's quality, evident in the public's low awareness of water quality issues and the major stakeholders segregated efforts. All of the stakeholders turn to the emerging nonprofit sector to consolidate efforts and increase communal outreach to create one common coalition working towards improving Lake
Mendota?s water quality.
Subject
Community response
Runoff
Water Quality
Lake Mendota Watershed
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/73505Description
Includes Illustrations, Photographs, Maps, Charts, Appendices and Bibliography.
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