News Release

Latest Water Quality Report 2008

Swimming and Water Sports

The water quality is excellent for swimming and water sports. The primary potential problem for swimming and water sports is bacteria. We test for bacteria by using a test that detects E. coli, which is the state bacteria indicator organism. None of the lake water samples that were tested in 2008 exceeded the state standard for E. coli, so the bacteria was low. The general rule of thumb is: Don't swim in the lake if it is muddy. The mud is caused by silt and the silt carries the bacteria into the lake. Because of the below average rainfall in 2008, there was little silt and little bacteria.

Fishing

Fish and other aquatic organisms are adversely affected by low dissolved oxygen levels and high pH levels. In mid-summer, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels from about Mile Mark 6 down to the dam were below the state standard for DO below about 20 to 30 feet of water depth. This means that the fish likely moved closer to the surface during mid-summer where DO levels were higher. So, don't fish near the bottom in the lower portion of the lake in mid-summer. There was only one pH reading that exceeded the state standard and that was at the surface at mile mark 1 at the end of August. That one reading was nothing to be concerned about.

Overall Health of the Lake

The overall health of the lake is excellent, but we have to be vigilant about keeping it that way. Excess nutrients, e.g. phosphorus, are the primary cause of unnecessarily fast aging of lakes. The excess nutrients cause algae blooms, which result in murky water, large swings in pH and depletion of oxygen in the water, both of which are detrimental to aquatic life. To minimize nutrients that get into the lake, do not overfertilize your lawn (once a year in the fall is preferable and what I do), use low phosphorus fertilizer when you do fertilize (SMLA is working with a fertilizer manufacturer on low phosphorus fertilizers--I will provide more info when I get it), pump out your septic tank at least once every five years and pick up pet waste.

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