Excess phosphorus and nitrogen loading to lakes and reservoirs is a persistent problem across North America and beyond, often leading to ecological, social, and economic damage. How do we prioritize limited resources to mitigate this damage and sustain high water quality?  Answering this question requires an understanding of the unique biophysical characteristics of each lake, each contributing watershed, and the surrounding socio-economic context. 

To that end, the Sustainable Phosphorus Alliance has helped to organize a STEPS technical working group to create a first-of-its-kind, comprehensive assessment of where phosphorus management is most critical for protecting the socio-economic and ecological benefits provided by U.S. lakes. Led by Drs. Dan Obenour of North Carolina State University and Becca Muenich of University of Arkansas, the project leverages large, nationwide datasets, advanced data-science methodologies, and the stakeholder expertise of a wide array of organizations, including USDA, USEPA, USACE, USFWS, ACWA, NALMS, and others.