A multi agency project funded by US EPA's STAR Program
 

The condition of Great Lakes coastal margins is influenced by the land uses along the Great Lakes coast line and within the Great Lakes watershed. Human activity distant from the shoreline may still have an effect on Great Lakes coastal wetlands when runoff is carried to the shoreline by streams and rivers. Move your mouse over the image to view pop-up descriptions of potential impacts; this text is repeated below.

Great Lakes coastal margins, including coastal wetlands, receive runoff from land within the Great Lakes watershed. Water carrying the by-products of various human activities may run directly from the land into the lake, or may run into streams and rivers and be carried to the lake from more distant locations. Agricultural runoff may contain nutrients from manure and fertilizers, hormones from animal wastes, pesticides, and sediments. Nutrients and pesticides from lawn treatments often end up in runoff, as do nutrients from leaking septic systems. Industrial runoff may contain chemicals, metals, oil and grease, nutrients, and other contaminants. Urban runoff may contain industrial effluent and nutrients that remain following wastewater treatment, oil, grease, and other contaminants from vehicles, and salt and other chemicals applied to roads. Areas of natural vegetation that occur between human activities and water resources may filter out some contaminants before they can reach the water.

 
Great Lakes coastal margins receive runoff from land within the Great Lakes watershed Coastal wetlands receive runoff from the land and from rivers and streams Rivers and streams carry runoff from land activities to the Great Lakes coastal margins Rivers and streams carry runoff from land activities to the Great Lakes coastal margins Rivers and streams carry runoff from land activities to the Great Lakes coastal margins Rivers and streams carry runoff from land activities to the Great Lakes coastal margins Agricultural runoff may contain nutrients from manure and fertilizers, hormones from animal wastes, pesticides, and sediments. Industrial runoff may contain chemicals, metals, oil and grease, nutrients, and other contaminants. Nutrients and pesticides from lawn treatments often end up in rivers, as do nutrients from leaking septic systems. These are carried downstream to the lake Nutrients and pesticides from lawn treatments often end up in rivers, as do nutrients from leaking septic systems. These are carried downstream to the lake Nutrients and pesticides from lawn treatments often end up in rivers, as do nutrients from leaking septic systems. These are carried downstream to the lake Runoff from lawn treatments and leaking septic systems of shoreline property owners may run directly into the lake. Urban runoff may contain industrial effluent and nutrients that remain following wastewater treatment, oil, grease, and other contaminants from vehicles, and salt and other chemicals applied to roads. Natural areas between human activities and water resources may filter out some contaminants before they can reach the water. Natural areas between human activities and water resources may filter out some contaminants before they can reach the water. Natural areas between human activities and water resources may filter out some contaminants before they can reach the water. Natural areas between human activities and water resources may filter out some contaminants before they can reach the water.