Assessing Cumulative Impacts of Shoreline Development 2009 Report

Near-shore areas of lakes are critical to the health of lake ecosystems because they contain a majority of the vegetation and are generally the spawning areas for fish. Increases in the rate and extent of shoreline development - including docks, boatlifts, and other structures - and disturbance from recreational activity may be having cumulative detrimental impacts on these ecosystems. However, there is a lack of scientific knowledge about these impacts and that has been hindering lake managers in their ability to guide landowners toward better practices. Researchers from the University of Minnesota and the U.S. Geological Survey are using this appropriation to study the cumulative impacts of shoreline development on aquatic habitat, water quality, and fish populations in order to develop a tool that can be used to help guide sustainable near-shore development. Approximately 100 lakes in Aitkin, Becker, Cass, Crow Wing, Douglas, Hubbard, Morrison, Otter Tail and Todd counties will be used in the study.