Feeding ducks (and other waterfowl) is popular and fun, but it creates water quality problems, particularly on enclosed waters such as Voorheis Lake. A regular supply of extra food can cause gathering of artificially large number of ducks. Increasing build up of droppings in the pond favors the growth of algae. Algal growth is unsightly and smelly, and in hot weather can be a source of botulism. Botulism is a fatal form of food poisoning in animals and man, and millions of waterfowl throughout the world die from it each year.
The attached articles describe some of these issues: