When the road get snow covered and icy, road crews work extra hard to keep travelers safe. However, the extensive use of salt may be damaging lakes and streams.
Researchers examined 371 lakes and found that 44% are at risk of salinization, meaning there is a build of salt in the water table. This excess of salt negatively affects water quality, wildlife and soil.
Salt use has increased dramatically in the past 50 years and the EPA estimates that 22 million tons of salt is applied to roads annually. That salt is washed into lakes, rivers and streams.