A Summary of Key Water Quality Issues

A 1992 Landsat Satellite map of Lake Martin's subwatershed (white line), which begins at the Lake Harris dam. This image indicates that the vast majority of the watershed was protected by forests, and this has contributed to the lake's excellent water quality.

1.	Urban/Suburban Discharges How can polluted streams that flow into Lake Martin be efficiently restored?
2.	Eutrophication Are nutrient standards needed to preserve "clean" lakes, such as Lake Martin?
3.	Water Allocation and Flow What are the potential impacts of planned, upstream reservoirs and changes in the amount and quality of water flowing into the lake?
4.	Stakeholder Action How can policy makers and the public be made aware of the condition and changes in Lake Martin? What is the role of the citizen in lake protection?
5.	Lakefront and Watershed Development What is "sustainable" lakefront development? Who plans watershed development and what additional information is needed?

Current and future land use of Lake Martin's watershed will determine the future condition of Lake Martin. What will be the long-term effect of our land and water use decisions?

This report was compiled by Alabama Water Watch program personnel
in partnership with Lake Watch of Lake Martin.