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2001 LAKE QUALITY REPORTLast summer’s baseline testing, conducted by Scott Williams, Aquatic Biologist, was done on August 26. The results were compiled with results of continual monitoring done by John Laskey, our Volunteer Lake Monitor. The monitoring took place at the deepest known location in the lake, when the ecosystem is typically the most "stressed." Volunteer assistance plays an important role in the collection of long-term data for Tripp. Supplemental transparency and dissolved oxygen data have been collected consistently for a number of years and are extremely useful in tracking both short-term seasonal changes and annual variations in the lake. John’s commitment to Tripp Lake is outstanding. The findings are dependent upon various factors, such as weather, which can influence spring runoff, cloud cover, water temperature and wind activity. The combination of these factors can cause significant variation is factors used to assess lake water quality. Many years of monitoring may be required to detect subtle long-term changes in the lake. Water quality indicators are transparency, or water clarity( the distance that one can see down into the water), the natural color of lake water, phosphorus (the nutrient that most dramatically affects lake ecosystems), chlorophyll-a (the green pigment in algae) dissolved oxygen ( which is a sensitive indicator of change in overall lake water quality) and total alkalinity and pH. The results of all these tests must be analyzed and carefully interpreted, something for which Scott has become somewhat of an authority…there are no easy, pat answers. The data shows no substantial changes in water quality from previous years. The water quality is average when compared to information from other Maine lakes. However, total phosphorus concentrations in the lake may be increasing. The loss of dissolved oxygen in the deepest area of the lake is also an indication of the potential for water quality to decline in this lake, although some of the oxygen loss may be associated with natural organic acids in the water. During the next year, we’ll be working with the AVSWCD and Maine DEP in developing a comprehensive watershed management plan. It’s an extremely important step in the long term management and protection of Tripp Lake. The availability of historical water quality data will have a strong bearing on the development of the plan and will help to reinforce the importance of maintaining the plan over time. The complete report, with charts, is available to read. Please call me (998-4597) or John Laskey (998-4227)… Babs |
