Why is the City of Lincoln focusing on the Holmes Lake Watershed?
The goal of the Holmes Lake Watershed Water Quality Improvement program is to increase awareness about simple personal lawn care management changes that can be made by homeowners to improve stormwater quality by reducing the amount of stormwater runoff and phosphorus fertilizer draining into Lincoln/Lancaster County streams and lakes, especially Holmes Lake. Holmes Lake was created in 1962 and covers an area of 110 acres. The Holmes Lake Watershed drains an area of 3,456 acres and contains 20 stream miles of open channel. In Lincoln, Holmes Lake is the most visited recreation area. In addition to providing flood control, Holmes Lake provides aesthetic value, recreation, and fishing. The completion of the Holmes lake renovation in July 2006 has renewed the community's interest in helping to prevent stormwater pollution.
Algae bloom in Holmes Lake caused by nutrient loading.
Holmes Lake is on the 303(d) list of impaired waters due to excess sedimentation and phosphorus. Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) for sediment and phosphorus have been developed by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. In order to meet the TMDLs for Holmes Lake, phosphorus loading must be decreased by 97% and sediment loading by 53%. Without obtaining community involvement and increasing awareness about stormwater quality issues, these goals may not be achievable.
