Lake Erie is heavily impacted by urban and agricultural nutrient loading.
The timing and bioavailability of these nutrient inputs favour toxic cyanobacteria.
High organic production exacerbates bottom hypoxia and sediment release of phosphorus, which will delay the lake's response to nutrient management.
Modelling has generated soluble and total P reduction targets for Lake Erie.
Many best management options were identified; their performance should be verified on a watershed basis.