What's New
Water
Testing Update
We began a new water sampling program in 2003 to support the
319 grant program requirements. In addition to our usual monthly sampling
program, we collected the first two sets of storm water samples for total
suspended solids (TSS) and total phosphorus (TP).
TSS is a measure of the sediment that is present in a
water sample, while TP is a measure of nutrient content. TSS contributes to
turbidity and reduced water clarity. TP acts as “fertilizer”, encouraging
weed and algae growth. Both of these contaminants are elevated during storm
events, during which time sediments and nutrients present in the watershed can
be carried into the lake with runoff. This type of contamination is called
non-point source pollution, because the source is spread over a large area.
Samples were collected pre-storm for baseline levels,
during the “first flush”, when the heaviest concentration of contaminants is
present in the storm water, and post-storm to show how the levels drop back down
to baseline levels. The data is summarized in the following charts.
Presently most storm water runs into the lake with little or
no contaminant removal due to the age and technology of existing catch basins.
Our 319 grant program funds will be used to upgrade catch basins to “best
management practices” (BMP) structures. These will more effectively remove the
first flush pollutants and reduce nutrient and sediment loading. We will
demonstrate effectiveness by comparing pre-construction and post-construction
sampling results.
