Over the Fourth of July weekend, many Minnesotans will be heading to a lake. Going up to the cabin for the holiday is a summer tradition. And in the Twin Cities, with hot temperatures in the forecast, metro beaches will be crowded. 

But our lakes are facing increasing environmental pressures from development, including runoff from our lawns and soybean fields, more cabins along fragile shorelines, invasive species like zebra mussel — and climate change. 

Host Angela Davis talks with a lake ecologist and MPR’s environmental reporter about how lakes are doing and what property owners and citizens can do to protect them. We also talk about water safety and why boating accidents and drownings are both up this year.

Guests: