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-< <br />P°-~ ~ 1~.~~/ I ~ . ~~ ,,~ <br />- .J <br />he Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (TCMA) is <br />fortunate to have a large number of lakes. These <br />lakes are important recreational, aesthetic, and <br />ecological resources that add considerably to the <br />quality of life and economic stability of the <br />region. Protecting the water quality of our lakes is <br />a significant citizen concern. <br />Many state and local agencies have a role in <br />managing and monitoring lake water quality. The <br />Metropolitan Council operates the most extensive <br />lake monitoring program in the region. The <br />Council has been monitoring lakes in the region <br />since 1980. During the 1980s, the Council typi- <br />cally monitored about 10 to 30 lakes. In 1993, the <br />Council initiated the Citizen-Assisted Monitoring <br />Program (CAMP) to help provide a more com- <br />plete picture of the water quality of the region's <br />lakes and to provide information to support local <br />water management efforts. <br />This highly successful program collects data on <br />more than 100 lakes each year through the <br />efforts of trained, dedicated volunteers. 2004 <br />marked the tvuelfth year of the Council's volunteer <br />program. Fourteen watershed management <br />organizations, eleven cities, two counties and <br />one environmental group participated in CAMP in <br />2004, monitoring a total of 132 lakes. Combined <br />with 13 lakes monitored by Council staff, a total <br />of 145 area lakes were monitored in 2004. This <br />regional report card summarizes the results of <br />the Council's lake monitoring efforts for 2004. <br />Most of this data collection effort focuses on <br />assessment of lake eutrophication. <br />Eutrophication is the process of accelerated <br />plant growth, particularly algae fueled by <br />nutrient enrichment. Eutrophication is one of <br />the leading water quality concerns facing the <br />region. Nutrients in lakes increase above <br />natural levels <br />as a result of <br />human activi- <br />ties in the <br />:;~. <br />watersheds of <br />lakes. Algae --- - . - <br />growth then _ - ~~~ <br />increases and <br />water clarity <br />decreases. A <br />variety of other <br />problems may ensue, including increases in <br />nuisance algae blooms, odor problems, <br />decreased desirability for recreation, decreased <br />dissolved oxygen, fish kills, and changes in the <br />fish communities toward more pollution tolerant <br />species such as carp and bullhead. <br />~tre~polit~x ~ouxacil <br />