Trash that is carried off of the streets and into playa lakes has two main negative effects.
- First the debris occupies space in the lake and thus depletes available water storage space.
- Second, the waste begins to degrade, and in the process, release toxic chemicals and deplete oxygen in the lakes.
Another contaminant in playa lakes is soil. The soils reduce the efficacy of the natural Randall clay beds of the lakes. Soils from construction sites and erosion on the banks of the lakes will reduce the available storage in the detention basins.
Plant life serves as natures detoxifier. With an unhealthy lake, plant life dies off along the banks. Plant life cannot protect the lakes from litter and erosion if it cannot survive.