On the east of the low water crossing at Ottawa County State Fishing Lake, the stream is thick with aquatic plants. Looking west, the entire lake is populated with wild lotus, lilies, arrowhead, and duckweed. It is rich and green - too much so.

I tend to romance Kansas in my photographs, but there is some trouble in paradise. Sometimes all that beautiful green can be a problem, especially in waterways. I’m an old river rat. From the time I could walk I’ve explored rivers with my brothers. We swam’em, fished’em, canoed’em and hunted on’em. And I care about’em.

Surface water contamination from industrial sources and erosion is a common problem. It’s part of the price we pay for business as usual. According to the K-State Research and Extension service, the biggest source is the buildup of sediments from soil erosion, bacterial contamination, and phosphorus from agricultural runoff. The health of fish and other aquatic creatures declines as turbidity increases, algae blooms choke the water and oxygen levels fall. As pollutants rise, the water source is no longer able to meet its expected uses. Traditional Kansas activities like boating, fishing and skinny-dipping aren’t as much fun.

Above, the lake surface thick with duckweed.

Ottawa State Fishing Lake (we called it Bennington Lake) was a favorite hangout when I was young. The lake had a wonderful swimming beach, and a floating deck with a diving board. There was a screened in cafe, showers and lockers, and a dock with rental boats. The cafe/showerhouse burned down long ago.  It’s still a beautiful drive around the lake, and a quiet place for camping.