2023 Summer and Fall Water Quality Report
We are reporting the summer and fall numbers together this year. Our early summer numbers were taken after the 4th of July and our Fall numbers were taken in early October. We are starting to only do 3 samplings for our water quality reports moving forward. During the summer samplings the biggest standout was the E.Coli number where the farm field ditches enter into Betts Ditch. This number was very alarming. Working to reduce this number is our number one priority this winter. Our Fall samples are within healthy ranges for all areas. The biggest jump from last year was our Total Suspended Solids. Which means we have more algae present toward the end of our season. This actually makes sense because of the high E.Coli numbers coming from the previous early summer tests. All that nutrient overload has exited the channel and is now providing a fertile arena for algae to grow. We will keep you posted as to how we are addressing the E.Coli numbers throughout the winter. Thank you to all the volunteers who take the time to sample the water and analyze the numbers to keep all of you informed. Also thank you for all the Lake Health donations. Looking forward to seeing all of you next year!
pH is an indication of our lake's acid level. Neutral water, like distilled water, has a 7 pH level. Any measurement below 7 is considered acidic. Low pH levels affect fish spawning to the point of extinction. For humans, low pH levels increase the concentration of heavy metals like aluminum, zinc, and mercury.
When there are high E. coli counts there are three indicators in a lake to consider rain, large presence of waterfowl, and many people. Rain produces ground water that runs into the lake and carries with it E. coli. Bird feces contribute disease causing bacteria to the water. And, beach areas with many people swimming tend to have higher levels of E. coli.
Dissolved Oxygen Oxygen (O2) is undoubtedly the most important of the gases, since most aquatic organisms need it to survive. The solubility of oxygen and other gases depends on water temperature. The colder the water, the more gases it can hold. Boiling water removes all gases. Oxygen is produced whenever green plants grow. Plants use carbon dioxide and water to produce simple sugars and oxygen, using sunlight as the energy source.
Phosphorus promotes excessive aquatic plant growth. Phosphorus originates from a variety of sources, many of which are related to human activities. Major sources include human and animal wastes, soil erosion, detergents, septic systems and runoff from farmlands or lawns.
The Total Suspended Solids numbers relate to water clarity, especially the amount of algae present.
Nitrogen is second only to phosphorus as an important nutrient for plant and algae growth. Precipitation is usually the main nitrogen source for seepage and some drainage lakes. In most cases, however, the amount of nitrogen in lake water corresponds to local land use. Nitrogen may come from fertilizer and animal wastes on agricultural lands, human waste from sewage treatment plants or septic systems, and lawn fertilizers used on lakeshore property. Nitrogen may enter a lake from surface runoff or groundwater sources.
