This fall the PLIA volunteers walked every inch of the inhabited Platte Lake shoreline looking for Cladophora. Why? Cladophora is a green algae that is unique in that it serves as a reliable marker for nutrient overloading such phosphorous and nitrogen. It is important to minimize the amount of these nutrients because they cause excessive algae and plant growth, which will then affect the water quality where you swim and play. Here's a link to the Report.