Lakes – Stressors to Impaired or Vulnerable Lakes

This data layer created by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) represents stressors to impaired or vulnerable lakes based on fish-based Index of Biological Integrity (IBI) scores determined by the MN DNR and aquatic life use judgements determined by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Potential stressors to lake aquatic life include eutrophication, physical habitat alteration, altered interspecific competition, temperature regime changes, decreased dissolved oxygen, increased ionic strength, pesticide application, metal contamination, and unspecified toxic chemical contamination. This informs the degree and major causes of stress to lake aquatic life.