Results from a study about more than normal levels of phosphorous in rivers and streams that drain into Lake Michigan have been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has been studying the northeast lakeshore area of Lake Michigan between Sturgeon Bay and Port Washington, including in Manitowoc County.
Approval of the Total Maximum Daily Loads for Total Phosphorus and Total Suspended Solids study allows the DNR to move forward with finding a way to limit the amount of phosphorous in the water in the different water bodies.
In Manitowoc County, the Manitowoc River is well above the normal 0.1 mg of phosphorous per 1 liter of water at certain points.
Water collected at N. Branch River View Road shows 0.52 mg/l, according to Wisconsin DNR data.
Other data shows areas in Kewaunee and Sheboygan Counties with bodies of water with higher concentrations than average.
Phosphorus is normal in water, but too much causes extra-algae growth and is not good for wildlife.
The next step is for the DNR to find out how much phosphorous can be in the water to meet quality standards without having too much as there is now.
