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.

Press Release

June 29, 2023

Region not on track to meet phosphorus reductions needed to limit western Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms

Chicago, IL (June 29, 2023) – Earlier today, NOAA and its research partners released the annual western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast. In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes Agriculture […]

DC Update

April 20, 2023

House water champions emerge amidst rising national backlog of water infrastructure projects

Early this year, we published our list of federal priorities for 2023, and chief among them was the need to increase funding for water infrastructure. We believe that clean water […]

DC Update

March 21, 2023

Great Lakes Advocates Head to Washington, President’s Budget Released

The first week of March was a busy time in Washington, DC, as Great Lakes advocates from around the region, including the Alliance, gathered for the annual “Great Lakes Days” […]

Podcast

March 7, 2023

The Cost to Meet Water Quality Goals in the Western Basin of Lake Erie Season 2, Episode 26

As the Alliance’s Agricultural & Restoration Policy Director, Tom leads work in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio to achieve the Alliance’s agriculture and water goals and implements regional restoration initiatives. In […]

Blog

February 14, 2023

Bold Action Needed to Meaningfully Reduce Algal Blooms in Western Lake Erie

Harmful algal blooms plague western Lake Erie each summer, threatening drinking water supplies, recreation, and the regional economy. Nutrient pollution, specifically phosphorous, flowing off agricultural lands is the largest unchecked […]

Blog

February 7, 2023

Agricultural Pollution and the Great Lakes

Agriculture occupies about one-quarter of the U.S. land surrounding the Great Lakes, producing corn, soybeans, grain, and livestock. But all too often, the way we farm has serious negative impacts […]

Blog

January 24, 2023

Top 5 Great Lakes Federal Policy Priorities for 2023

Significant progress has been made in protecting and restoring the Great Lakes. But much more needs to be done. Too many Great Lakers experience polluted water, whether it is lead-tainted […]

Podcast

September 20, 2022

Crystal M.C. Davis and Tom Zimnicki – Harmful Algal Blooms and Downstream Costs

Crystal M.C. Davis leads the Alliance’s policy and advocacy efforts related to Lake Erie and manages the organization’s Ohio office. She has played an integral role in the Alliance’s emerging […]

Press Release

June 30, 2022

Alliance Statement on the 2022 Western Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast

Chicago, IL (June 30, 2022) – Earlier today, NOAA and its research partners released the annual western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom forecast. In response, Alliance for the Great Lakes […]

Blog

May 23, 2022

New Study: Downstream Water Users Bear Financial Burden of Upstream Pollution

Ohioans across the state are struggling to afford their water and sewer bills. A first-of-its-kind case study finds that water bills are pushed even higher for communities that pull their […]