Harris County Municipal Utility District No. 71, known as MUD 71, is asking Spring-area residents to stop tossing bread to the ducks at neighborhood lakes and detention ponds.

The district published an advisory Wednesday, Sept. 2, warning that years of feeding have driven duck populations to unnaturally high levels. Overfed flocks become territorial and aggressive, the district said, and residents walking near the water may find themselves surrounded or harassed by ducks expecting food.

Duck droppings are high in nitrogen and phosphorus, which disrupts the nutrient balance in detention ponds and leads to algae blooms and foul odors. Large flocks also trample lawns, strip vegetation and damage shorelines. Accumulated waste along trails and sidewalks requires frequent power washing.

The district said it has spent the past few years funding professional trapping, vegetation replacement, erosion control and coordination with wildlife specialists under state and federal regulations. It attributed the need for those efforts to feeding by residents. No specific dollar figures were included in the advisory.

Bread, crackers and cereal can cause malnutrition or deformities in young birds, the district said, and reduce their ability to forage on their own.

MUD 71 asks residents to stop feeding ducks at lakes, ponds and parks; talk to family and neighbors about the effects; and enjoy wildlife from a distance.

Residents with questions can contact Regional Water Corporation, which operates the district, at (281) 897-9100.