Oviatt et al. (2002) noted a reduction in spring bloom intensity and duration in years when winter water temperatures were warmer.

His pioneering work included a technical report from 1968, which related inputs of total phosphorus to chlorophyll a concentrations (a common proxy measure of algal bloom intensity).

His findings thereby laid the ground for predicting expected environmental effects on the Secchi depth and algal bloom intensity from phosphorus abatement, e.g., in sewage treatment plants.