Southern Appalachians Ecoregion - National Lakes Assessment 2012 Results
Key Results
A total of 9,139 lakes in the Southern Appalachians ecoregion are represented in the National Lakes Assessment (NLA). Of these lakes, less than 1% are natural and over 99% are man-made.
The NLA uses trophic state as an important indicator of lake condition and assesses the extent of key stressors in the nation’s lakes.
- In the Southern Appalachians, 26% of lakes are rated as most disturbed based on trophic state, 46% are eutrophic, 11% are mesotrophic, and 18% are oligotrophic.
- The most widespread stressors assessed are phosphorus (67% of lakes), nitrogen (63%), and riparian vegetation cover (52%).
Trophic State
Indicator with the Highest Percentage of Lakes in the Most Disturbed Condition: Phosphorus
Oklahoma lake sampled for NLA 2012. Photo: Jet Stine, OWRB.
Human Use Condition
Cyanobacteria is one of three algal toxin related indicators presented in the NLA (see also chlorophyll a and microcystins). It serves as a proxy for the presence of algal toxins.
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Based on cyanobacteria cell counts, 18% of lakes in the Southern Appalachians are in the most disturbed condition (i.e., pose a high risk of exposure to algal toxins).
Change from 2007 (for lakes >4 hectares)*
- For the Southern Appalachians, the NLA reports a 24% increase in the proportion of lakes in most disturbed condition between 2007 and 2012 based on the condition of cyanobacteria risk.
To access more indicator graphics please visit the interactive NLA Dashboard.
* The change analysis is based on information from two points in time – 2007 and 2012. The change in condition analysis only considers lakes 4 hectares and larger because smaller lakes were not sampled in 2007.