Needless to say, the eutrophication of a lake is bad news for the wildlife that lives in or around it. Other oxygen-dependant aquatic creatures die off as well. The fish in the lake can't breathe, and consequently suffocate. The algae uses up most of the oxygen in the water, and when it dies, it causes the lake to hypoxify. This buildup of nutrients causes algal blooms. Eutrophication is the excessive richness of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in a lake, usually as a result of runoff. If the lake turned out to be eutrophified, it could seriously impact what is currently the standby emergency water supply for many Castro Valley residents. Lake Chabot has been in danger of eutrophication due to excessive dumping of phosphorous and nitrogen into the water from the fertilizers of nearby golf courses and neighboring houses. Introduction/Abstract: Lake Chabot is an integral part of the East Bay watershed that provides habitats for animals and recreation for humans year-round.
