Streams, lakes and other bodies of water are affected by what happens within a watershed—the land that drains to them. More and more people are working together, learning about their watershed, sharing information with their neighbors, and developing action plans to improve and protect Pennsylvania’s waters. This guide is for people who value lakes, have a desire to preserve or improve lake quality, and wish to partner with other individuals or organizations to address watershed issues that impact lakes. The ideas and processes outlined in the following pages can be used as a guide for developing a lake management plan. Because the characteristics of each watershed are unique, you may find certain portions of this booklet to be more applicable than others. Regardless of your own particular area of interest, keep in mind that a long-term, integrated approach, based on a systematic, scientific assessment, is key to the success of any project.