Fall took its sweet time coming to Lake of the Ozarks this year, and that means leaves are going to be a problem soon. Residents along the shoreline should think twice before tossing them in the water.
Ameren says protecting the Lake's water quality is a year-round effort that not only helps the environment, but people too. When leaves are left to decay in the water, algae blooms can arise that are toxic to fish, pets, and humans.
For aquatic life, this means that necessary sunlight is blocked and oxygen is used up as well. For residents... decomposing leaves give off a rotten egg smell. That's hardly the desired backdrop for a crisp fall day.
“Fall leaves may seem harmless, but when large volumes decompose in the water, they can cause real damage to the Lake’s ecosystem,” said Greg Stoner, environmental specialist at Ameren Missouri. “For the health of aquatic life, as well as the people and animals living along the shore, we encourage residents to dispose of their leaves in other ways.”
Here's how to safely dispose of leaves:
- Rake them into bags and have them hauled away (check with the city for specific dates)
- Combine leaves with yard clippings and food scraps to create nutrient-rich compost
- Use a mower to chop them and spread them around trees and shrubs as natural fertilizer
- Burn leaves. But of course, take precautions and get approval from the local fire department beforehand
"Ameren Missouri encourages all its neighbors at the Lake to be good stewards of this shared space for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike," the company said in a press release. "Part of those efforts include sponsoring the Adopt-the-Shoreline program, which has helped remove more than six million pounds of trash from the Lake."
