Name:   luv2fish - Subject:   water quality / algae? Date:   10/12/2016 2:37:28 PM

I am a water quality monitor/trainer/board member for Alabama Water Watch and work at Auburn University as an Environmental Safety and Health professional where water is part of my passion. I spend most of my time advocating for clean water in the state,

It's a combination of things. Most of it can be attributed to non-point source runoff such as increased nutrient load from fertilizers but it can also be affected by leaching septic systems and agriculture/pooer land use upstream. As sunlight penetrates the surface water column algae begins to grow and multiply due to the nutrients and zooplankton feed on the algae. The Tallapoosa River is by far the cleanest river system in Alabama. Our water quality monitoring data shows this to be true. However there will be spikes during the summer and increased turbity during the winter due to heavy rain in combination with the drawdown. Exposed clay banks in the upper to mid reaches of the lake cause water to "muddy" up during this time. Substandard land use applications along tributaries and upriver contribute to the issue as well.

One significant contribution from the increased nutrient is increased forage for baitfish and the entire food chain of Lake Martin. I do believe this will continue with spikes year over year.