Muck

Muck results from eroded sands, fine clays and soils that stormwater runoff carries. These mix with decaying organic materials, including grass clippings, to form a thick, black ooze that forms deposits on the Lagoon bottom.

Muck deposits are rich in nutrients, which are continuously released to the water column. This internal source of nutrients is referred to as a ‘legacy load’. The impact of legacy loading is that even muck deposits that have been in the Lagoon for decades still contribute to today’s water quality problems.

Dredging is the most effective means of removing muck, but the process is expensive. If we can’t control the muck sources that enter the lagoon, deposits continue to accumulate and eventually dredging is required again. The most effective and efficient muck management strategy is to stop the sources of muck before they reach the Lagoon.