Agricultural runoff

When it rains, excess fertilizer and manure from farm fields flow into streams and rivers that feed the Great Lakes. This pollution fuels algal blooms that can make water toxic to fish, wildlife, and people.

Visit our campaign page to learn about stopping agricultural pollution at the source. Learn more about agricultural runoff below.

Blog

December 18, 2025

Win in Michigan: New Agriculture Pollution Rules on Nutrient Runoff

Winter has once again descended upon the Great Lakes region. What’s new this season in Michigan is a state ban on spreading manure on frozen fields. When manure is applied under frozen or saturated conditions, it cannot absorb into […]

Press Release

September 18, 2025

New Report: Nitrate Contamination Driving Health Crisis and Rising Costs in Wisconsin 

CHICAGO, IL (September 18, 2025) – Wisconsin faces a growing public health crisis from nitrate contamination in drinking water, according to a new report released today. Thousands of households are paying […]

Blog

August 21, 2025

Stronger Oversight Needed to Reduce Agricultural Pollution 

Large livestock operations, known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), generate billions of gallons of manure and wastewater each year. Without strong safeguards, this waste pollutes rivers, fuels toxic algal […]

DC Update

July 17, 2025

Critical Months Ahead for the Great Lakes in Congress 

On July 4th, President Donald Trump signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” or “OBBBA.” Now that OBBBA is law, the focus in Congress turns to funding the […]

Press Release

June 26, 2025

Toxic Algal Blooms Should Not Be the New Normal

CHICAGO, IL (June 26, 2025) – Today, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its prediction for the size and scope of the now-annual Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB). […]

Blog

May 6, 2025

Trump Budget Proposal Slashes Federal Funding, Threatens the Great Lakes and Sets Up Showdown With Congress  

The Trump Administration’s proposed FY 2026 President’s Budget slashes federal non-defense spending and proposes steep cuts to federal programs that protect and restore the Great Lakes and the communities that […]

Blog

February 26, 2025

Water Advocacy at the Ohio Statehouse: A Call for Clean Water Policies

On Thursday, January 30, the Alliance for the Great Lakes, alongside our partners—The Nature Conservancy, Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association, The Junction Coalition, and the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC)—came […]

Webinar

February 20, 2025

Report from DC: Great Lakes Issues on the National Stage

How can our representatives in Washington support the Great Lakes in 2025? Hear from members of our team who presented our recently released federal priorities to members of Congress in […]

Blog

January 29, 2025

How Washington Can Support the Great Lakes in 2025

Significant progress continues to be made in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes, but much more needs to be done. The federal government plays a major role in this work […]

Press Release

October 24, 2024

Monitoring Milestone in Fight Against Lake Erie Pollution

Lansing, Michigan (October 24, 2024) – A critical milestone in the fight against algal blooms on Lake Erie was reached as the installation of water quality monitoring equipment in five […]