Author: Michelle Lubnow

Why are Lawn Fertilizers so Bad for Lake Hopatcong?

Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are nutrients found in fertilizers and are needed for terrestrial plant growth.
Typically, there is enough phosphorus in the soil for terrestrial plants, so excess phosphorus in the fertilizers wash into Lake Hopatcong.
This phosphorus stimulates algal and aquatic plant growth. One pound of phosphorus has the potential to generate up to 1,100 pounds of wet algae biomass.
Excessive algal and plant growth negatively impact the water quality, recreational use and ecological value of Lake Hopatcong. In turn, this can impact property values.

Why Use Non-Phosphorus (Lake Friendly) Fertilizers at Lake Hopatcong?
The Lake Hopatcong Commission received funding from US EPA’s Targeted Watershed Grant Program to implement a variety of measurements to reduce the phosphorus loads entering Lake Hopatcong.
As part of the grant project, the Commission installed lawn sampling devices on three near-shore lawns owned by volunteers to measure how much phosphorus, applied as fertilizer, flows into the lake.

Based on the findings of the 2008 lawn study, if all lake front property owners within the Borough of Hopatcong applied phosphorus fertilizers in the spring, approximately 690 pounds of phosphorus could enter Lake Hopatcong.
Remember, approximately one pound of phosphorus has the potential to generate up to 1,100 pounds of wet algae blooms.

Besides using Non-Phosphorus Fertilizers, what else should be done to Minimize Lawn Impacts on Lake Hopatcong?

Test the pH of your lawn soil. In many cases liming your lawn can increase its ability to utilize nutrients already in the soil.
Minimize the use of pesticides; do not apply such products prior to a rain event.

Whenever possible, create a vegetation buffer between the lawn and the lake, using attractive native plants.

Lawn Fertilizer Impact on Lake Hopatcong and Preventive Measures
Precautionary Measures

Potassium is the far right number and it protects a lawn from disease, drought and cold weather.
Since most lawns are established, nitrogen and potassium are the nutrients that will bring fullness and good health to your lawn.

The numbers printed on fertilizer bags represent the percentage of nutrient mix contained in each bag.
The far left number is Nitrogen and it creates the lush green color, thick density and promotes strong growth to guard against weeds and pests.
The middle number is Phosphorus and it aids in the development of root structure of a new lawn.

Non-Phosphorus Fertilizer… for a Better Tomorrow and a Cleaner Lake Hopatcong.

Sponsored by the
Lake Hopatcong Commission
P.O. Box 8515, Landing, NJ 07850
(973) 601-1070
www.lakehopatcong.org
Although the information in this document has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement WS97273701 to the Lake Hopatcong Commission, it has not gone through the Agency’s publications review process and, therefore, may not necessarily reflect the views of the Agency and no official endorsement should be inferred.
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flubnow@princetonhydro.com