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2011 Water Quality Dips Below Average

January 22, 2012 - Bridgton-Although all the data is not yet in, a preliminary analysis has shown worse than average readings in our three most sensitive water quality indicators.

Clarity readings on 68 percent of LEA’s regulary sampled lakes were shallower than normal in 2011. Only 14 percent showed better than average clarity. Sixty-four percent of our larger lakes showed higher phosphorus concentrations and 64 percent showed more chlorophyll (algae) populations.

There are several factors that were likely responsible for this overall decline in water quality. First, it was a wetter than normal summer, which means there were more opportunities for sediment and nutrients to wash into our waters.

We also had several intense storms such as the one at the end of July where almost 3 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period and of course hurricane Irene in August. Heavy rains often scour out ditches and culverts, quickly washing large amounts of material downstream.

In fact, for weeks after Irene, ponds associated with Saco River flows continued to remain turbid and murky.

Secondly, July was hot and recorded as the warmest month ever at the Portland Jetport. Warm conditions are conducive to algae growth and go hand-in-hand with ample sunlight which allows algae populations to flourish.

Unfortunately, warmer and wetter conditions are what the best climate models are predicting for our region so the negative trend this past summer could soon become the norm unless different policies are adopted to reduce carbon emissions.

Colin Holme, LEA Lake News, January 2012


Lakes:
Regions: Sebago


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