It suffered from the 1950s through the early 2000s largely due to high levels of phosphorus as a result of run-off from surrounding agricultural land in the Aroostook River Watershed. A more costly, but time-saving alternative involves the use of a probe that is attached to an oxygen meter via a cable. Water Quality Re-Classification Initiative, Integrated Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Reports. LEA’s mission is to preserve and restore the exceptional water quality of Maine’s lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands and the integrity of their watersheds. Classes B and SB have fewer restrictions on activities but still maintain high water quality criteria. The lake was named for the large moose population in the area, where moose outnumber people by 3 to 1. 2019 Water-testing summary. The physical isolation of deep, cold water at the bottom of a lake from the surface water during summer stratification prevents the oxygen supply in the deeper water from being replenished. Natural color and suspended sediments vary widely from one lake to another. This method is accurate and reliable, although somewhat time-consuming. Accurate lake water quality characterization requires that periodic “baseline” data be collected for all of the lakes in the LSM. However, other factors may influence transparency, including the amount of sediment that is suspended in the water, and natural water color. Tracking in-lake phosphorus levels over time is another way of monitoring changes in lake water quality. An increase in the concentration of total phosphorus in lake water generally indicates a potential increase in biological productivity (trophic state) of the system. An adequate supply of dissolved oxygen in lake water is essential to fish and other aquatic life forms. Individual lakes are unique in the way that they respond to these influences. The Public Works Crew will be flushing water mains throughout the Community this week, in both Limerick and North Waterboro. Measuring Water Quality on Highland Lake Secchi disk measurements are one of the simplest ways to measure a lake's water quality. Lake watershed boundaries may be situated close to the shoreline, or they may extend for miles away from the lake. The classification system is used to direct the State in the management of its surface waters, protect the quality of those waters for their intended management purposes, and where standards are not achieved, direct the State to enhance the quality to achieve those purposes. One simple method of assessing the effect of cultural eutrophication in lakes is to measure the concentration of planktonic (suspended) algae in the water. Classes C and SC waters are still good quality, but the margin for error before significant degradation might occur in these waters in the event of an additional stress being introduced (such as a spill or a drought) is the least. How Does the LSM Measure Lake Water Quality? The reclassification of waters of the State is governed by 38 M.R.S.§§ 464(2), 464(2-A) and 464(3). Volunteers who wish to assist in obtaining advanced baseline samples from their lakes may participate in special workshops offered by LSM and DEP staff. For 40 years, trained volunteers throughout Maine have donated their time so that we may all learn more about one of Maine’s most beautiful and important resources — our lakes. DO is also a sensitive indicator of change in water quality, and of the ability of a water body to support aquatic life. The chlorophyll-a reading of 2.00 ppb fell into the low range and was less than the long-term average of 4.36. To further explore the statewide distribution of indicator values, click on the bar chart icon . Volunteer monitors are trained to collect total phosphorus samples from their lakes, using a simple process of obtaining a sample from a few inches below the water surface at the designated monitoring station. Diatom “blooms” often result in a brief period of reduced transparency in lakes. Dissolved oxygen (DO) levels in lake water are influenced by many factors, including water temperature, the concentration of algae and other plants in the water, and the amount of nutrients and organic matter that flow into the water body from the watershed. The enrichment of lakes with the nutrient phosphorus and excess algae, resulting from watershed development, is referred to as “cultural eutrophication” (CE). Volunteer lake water quality monitors learn over time what is “normal” for the lake that they monitor. As is the case with most indicators of lake water quality, the concentration of phosphorus in lake water varies within individual seasons, and from one year to the next. The probe and meter simultaneously measure dissolved oxygen and water temperature, and the information is displayed on the meter. However, as lakes become more biologically productive, and organic matter accumulates in the system, the potential increases for oxygen levels to decline as the organic matter decomposes in deep, stratified areas. Finally, Classes C and SC have the least restrictions on use and the lowest (but not low) water quality criteria. Combined with Secchi transparency readings, TP data provides additional information about lake ecosystem dynamics.

Phosphorus is the nutrient that most influences the growth of algae in lakes. Excess algae in lake water can cause a disturbance to the normal equilibrium of the aquatic ecosystem. As the water warms and stabilizes during the summer, other types of algae will dominate the water column, depending on water temperature, nutrient levels and other factors. Secchi Disk Transparency Long-term Data Distribution. Oxygen depression or depletion can stress fish and other aquatic biota, and under certain circumstances, it can cause an acceleration in the decline of water quality. Always read the disclaimer on the Reviser's site to determine when the statutes on the web were last updated. Kezar Pond’s 2019 Quick Stats. – pH Long-term Distribution The State has four classes for freshwater rivers (AA, A, B, C), three classes for marine and estuarine waters (SA, SB, SC), and one class for lakes and ponds (GPA). As lake water is warmed in the summer the water in deeper lakes forms three distinct temperature layers: Biological activity peaks in lakes and ponds during the warm weather months. These “humic acids” can stain the water in some lakes to the point where light penetration into the water column is substantially attenuated. The clearer and more transparent the lake water, the less silt, algae and other particulate we have.By slowly lowering a plain black and white, circular disk into the water we can visually measure Secchi transparency is often at a low point soon after the ice melts in the spring. Another critical indicator of the health and quality of lakes and ponds is the concentration of oxygen that is dissolved in the water. Shallow lakes may be subject to moderate concentrations of re-suspended bottom sediments in the water column, resulting from wind turbulence. The LSM arranges to provide volunteer monitors with special sampling and laboratory mailing containers to facilitate the collection of phosphorus data. The expectation to achieve natural conditions is high and degradation is unlikely. As algae die and decompose, bacteria consume oxygen that is dissolved in the water.

The VLMP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the collection of information pertaining to lake water quality.

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection implements water quality programs under the Clean Water Act and state law. This is to be conducted from time to time, but at least every three years. Each year thousands of water quality tests are conducted on the water delivered to Maine Water customers. Ecosystems that are more natural in their structure and function can be expected to be more resilient to a new stress and to show more rapid recovery. This condition is characterized by declining water clarity (transparency), resulting from an increase in the growth of algae.

Some lakes become progressively less clear through the summer months, while others may become clearer. Augusta, Maine 04333-0017 Baseline sampling of program lakes occurs approximately every three to five years during the late summer. To learn more about becoming a volunteer water quality monitor, visit our Training & Certification page. The classification system should be viewed as a hierarchy of risk, more than one of use or quality, the risk being the possibility of a breakdown of the ecosystem and loss of use due to either natural or human-caused events. Thus, the law provides a mechanism for the State to continually move forward in the improvement and protection of water quality. Currently rated by MVLMP as one of the 10 best lakes in Maine for water quality, Thompson is also recognized as an "at risk" lake because of the extent of shoreline development and the lake's slow flushing rate, or the time required for all the water in the lake to be replaced, estimated to be about 3 … Volunteer monitors are trained to measure oxygen concentrations in the water using inexpensive chemical kits and a simple sampling device. Secchi (Transparency) Data Forms & Procedures, Baseline Chemical Data Forms & Procedures, Total Phosphorus Long-term Data Distribution, warmer (less dense) epilimnion layer at the surface. Maine DEP and LSM staff strive to collect additional water quality data for all lakes in the program, and for other lakes and ponds with special concerns. The links in the list below for specific sections in the classification law go to a data base of statutory sections maintained by the Maine Reviser of Statutes. Standards and Classification. – Conductivity Long-term Distribution However, the sample analysis involves laboratory fees, and volunteers are often limited to taking one or two samples during the late summer (about mid-August), when biological activity is at a peak. For this reason, the primary focus of volunteer water quality monitoring is the collection of information related to changes in lake biological productivity over time. The Department is responsible for managing, protecting and enhancing the quality of Maine's water resources through … – Total Alkalinity Long-term Distribution document.write('&\#115;&\#116;&\#101;&\#119;&\#97;&\#114;&\#100;&\#115;@&\#108;&\#97;&\#107;'+''+'&\#101;&\#115;&\#116;&\#101;&\#119;&\#97;&\#114;&\#100;&\#115;&\#77;&\#69;.&\#111;&\#114;&\#103;<\/a>'); Understanding the Color Ramps & Column Charts ». The VLMP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the collection of information pertaining to lake water quality.