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 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 […]

Podcast

May 3, 2022

Tom Zimnicki, Agricultural Pollution in the Great Lakes

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 […]

Podcast

March 8, 2022

Crystal M.C. Davis, Legacy of Black Farmers and Water Stewardship

Crystal M.C. Davis joined the Alliance for the Great Lakes as Policy Director in 2016. Based in Cleveland, Crystal leads the Alliance’s policy and advocacy efforts related to Lake Erie […]

DC Update

December 14, 2021

Year-End Federal Policy Update: Strong Progress Made on Alliance’s Priorities

We laid out an ambitious federal policy agenda back in January 2021 as President Biden took office and as the 117th Congress convened. Our major federal policy priorities for 2021 […]

Blog

April 29, 2021

100 Day Recap: Federal Great Lakes Priorities in Action

As of April 29, President Biden will have been in office for 100 days, a traditional marker for assessing a new president’s first few months in office. We laid out […]

Blog

January 21, 2021

Top 5 Great Lakes Priorities for the Biden Administration

As the nation faces unprecedented challenges, clean water is more important than ever. The deepening COVID-19 crisis reminds us daily of the deep connection between clean water and public health. […]

Blog

January 21, 2021

Top 5 Great Lakes Priorities for the United States Congress

As the nation faces unprecedented challenges, clean water is more important than ever. The deepening COVID-19 crisis reminds us daily of the deep connection between clean water and public health. […]

50th Anniversary

October 4, 2020

Pollution from Point Source to Nonpoint Source

A half-century ago, legislation began to reduce dumping by heavy industry into the Great Lakes. Sewage is another prime source of point source pollution, one we are still tackling. Now […]

BLOG

September 18, 2020

Top Five Great Lakes Questions to Ask Candidates for Elected Office

Voters like you can make sure that the Great Lakes and clean water are part of the election-year conversation. In 2020, many federal, state, and local offices are on the […]