We use data gathered since 1971 on Douglas Lake, Michigan to illustrate the use of temperature and depth adjusted oxygen deficits to assess changes in the rate of lake eutrophication. The method of calculation with adjustments is presented. By comparing different hypolimnia in the multidepression lake, we show that localized lakeshore land use produces regional patterns of production that are detected by comparison of oxygen deficits. For some lake regions, the increase in oxygen deficit has had a linear doubling since 1971. Using historical data, this rate of change is much greater than for the previous 50 years. The oxygen deficits in the lake region farthest from lakeshore development averaged 60% of those in the region nearest lakeshore development.