Shoreline Erosion and Sedimentation
One of the main problems experienced by lakes is shoreline erosion. Shoreline erosion is caused by waves pounding against and destroying shoreline vegetation. Waves can be caused both naturally and by recreational use of waters such as boating and jet-skiing. Shoreline erosion is usually minimal in natural lake habitats with prolific growth of submergent and emergent vegetation. The fallacy that submergent plants are simply �weeds� endangers the wellbeing of the lake ecosystem when lakeshore owners remove these essential organisms. Removing aquatic plants from the shoreline aggravates soil erosion causing the water transparency to be greatly reduced. This lack of water clarity creates problems for fish and wildlife feeding. If water clarity is very bad sunlight will not be able to reach submergent plant species. Thus, they cannot photosynthesize and die.

As shorelines are eroded soil particles settle on the lake bottom. This process is called sedimentation. Sediment and eroded soils can also be carried through storm sewers, washing soil and nutrients from one�s own back yard into a lake. As sediment collects it covers the plants and bottom habitat of a lake that is so essential to invertebrates to feed on. Sedimentation is detrimental to both the lake food web and the harmony of nutrient levels.