Watershed Management & Water Quality Revision Sheet

1. 📌 Essentials

• The Clean Water Act (1972) primarily regulates point-source pollution; non-point sources are diffuse and harder to control. Excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) cause eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and toxins.
• The Sackett v. EPA (2023) decision limited federal jurisdiction over wetlands, affecting watershed protections- Falls Lake supplies 41 million gallons/day; constructed for flood control, water supply, and recreation.
• Over 70% of the watershed consists of unmanaged land, majorly contributing to nutrient loads.
• Eutrophic lakes are nutrient-rich and difficult to meet water quality standards.
• Algal blooms cause taste and odor issues but generally do not compromise water safety.
• Watershed management strategies include forest preservation, wetland buffers, floodplain expansion, and cross-county collaboration.
• Nutrient reduction targets: 40% nitrogen, 77% phosphorus by 2041.
• Monitoring hotspots and stabilizing streambanks are key ongoing efforts.

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