The Dying Lake

Abstract

THE VAST SHEET of inland water lies still and flat, reflecting the sky with a dull silver sheen like molten lead. Waves lap listlessly along the shore, sucking in and out among slimy green rocks, deserted filthy beaches and oily pilings of lonely piers. No gull wheels and cries overhead, seeking rest and food from the lake -nor any duck, crane or other water bird. Farther back from the lakeshore, once lively cottages and motels stand empty, with For Sale signs stuck on pikes in the front yards. Beneath the surface of the lake, there seems no visible life. There are few shining fish, eels or turtles. The waters are a murky green, choked with algae and tiny organisms that thrive on the rich nutrients dumped into the water. As these crowded living things grow, then die and decay, they absorb the life-giving oxygen from the water, thus destroying desirable creatures like whitefish, lake trout and pickering, and encouraging coarser fish, the leeches and other unpleasant forms of life. Large patches of oil, chemicals, trash and sewage float desolately on the water's surface, an affront to sight and smell. Foaming, evil-smelling yellowish windrows blow and roll upon the shore. This is Lake Erie-a wasteland, a lifeless body of water that has lost its sparkle and vitality, and is being hastened to its wretched fetid death by man's affluent wastes and increasing activities. Industrial pollution floating from Cleveland harbor into Lake Erie is shown on the front cover. Every day, 10 million people help dump more than 18,000 tons of sewage, chemicals, fertilizers and sediment into the lake, clogging and stinking the waters and speeding its death. No other comparable body of water is undergoing such treatment and deteriorating so rapidly. Commercial fishing has almost disappeared, beaches are closed by health officials, residents who can, are moving away from the area, and no tourists are signing up for summer boating, fishing or swimming. Men are beginning to realize with horror their roles in murdering the lake, and are setting up research projects and studies to do something about the problem. Yet even with Federal, state, private and individual awareness, the situation is getting worse. As yet there is no truly effective operation in sight and it will be some time before things can get moving efficiently. To clean up Lake Erie alone, researchers estimate a cost of billions of dollars. Even if all the rivers flowing into the Lake were freed of contaminating material, it still would take about 20 years to flush Lake Erie clean. The Great Lakes will get worse before they get better.