Grass clipping, leaves, and aquatic plant material that wash up on shore all contain
phosphorus, which is released when the plant material decomposes. To prevent
phosphorus from getting into the lake:
• Use a mulching lawn mower and leave grass clippings on the lawn as natural
fertilizer.
• Collect and compost leaves and clippings, or haul them away from the lake to a
disposal site.
• Rake up aquatic plants, leaves, and other organic matter on the shore and
dispose of away from the lake. Hint: It makes great mulch on the garden which can
later be worked in as a soil amendment.
• Do not burn leaves near the lake; it destroys the organic matter releasing the phosphorus,
which could then be washed into the lake.
