Hess Lake has the potential to naturally support abundant plant growth, both rooted plants and algae. Historical data indicated that Hess Lake once contained abundant rooted plants but, in recent years, the lake is prone to persistent algal blooms and macrophyte growth is minimal. In the absence of rooted plants, algae has become dominant in Hess Lake, and summer algae blooms are common. The lake’s reduced water clarity favors algae growth: Rooted plants don’t receive enough sunlight to stimulate their growth, while algae cells concentrate near the surface where light is plentiful. Algae growth further reduces water clarity and the cycle is perpetuated. Recent studies show blue-green algae, primarily Microcystis, is the most common type of algae in Hess Lake. Blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria) are generally considered to be nuisance species due to their tendency to form unsightly floating scums at the lake surface. Another concern with cyanobacteria is the potential to cause harmful algal blooms (HABs) by releasing toxins into the water that, at elevated levels, cause health concerns. Recent monitoring of Hess Lake conducted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy indicates that while HABs have been detected in the lake, they rarely reach levels that exceed public health standards.