WATER QUALITY SUMMARY

MOOSE POND, Bridgton

MIDAS: 3134, Sample Station #1 (deep)

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME-DEP) and the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP) have collaborated in the collection of lake data to evaluate water quality, track algal blooms, and determine water quality trends. This dataset does not include bacteria, mercury, or nutrients other than phosphorus.

Water quality monitoring datasets for Moose Pond Sample Station #1 has been collected since 1976. During this period, 22 years of basic chemical information was collected in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Moose Pond is considered to be above average, based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Moose Pond is low.

Water Quality Measures: Moose Pond Sample Station #1 is a non-colored lake (average color 14 SPU) with an average SDT of 7.0m (23.0ft). The range of water column TP for Moose Pond is 4 - 10 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 6 ppb, while Chla ranges from 1.2 - 6.4 ppb with an average of 2.7 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show moderate DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for TP to leave the bottom sediments and become available to algae in the water column (internal loading) is moderate. Oxygen levels below 5 parts per million stress certain cold water fish, and a persistent loss of oxygen may eliminate or reduce habitat for sensitive cold water species.

Lakes Environmental Association of Bridgton Maine (207-647-8580) routinely monitors Moose Pond.

Sample Station # 2

Water quality monitoring datasets for Moose Pond Sample Station # 2 has been collected since 1979. During this period, 4 years of basic chemical information was collected, in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Moose Pond is considered to be above average, based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Moose Pond is low.

Water Quality Measures: Moose Pond Sample Station # 2 is a non-colored lake (average color 14 SPU) with an average SDT of 6.0m (19.7ft). The range of water column TP for Moose Pond is 9 - 10 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 10 ppb, while Chla has been measured at 3.0 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show low DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for TP to leave the bottom sediments and become available to algae in the water column (internal loading) is low. Oxygen levels below 5 parts per million stress certain cold water fish, and a persistent loss of oxygen may eliminate or reduce habitat for sensitive cold water species.

Sample Station # 3

Water quality monitoring datasets for Moose Pond Sample Station # 3 has been collected since 1980. During this period, 2 years of basic chemical information was collected, in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Moose Pond is considered to be above average, based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Moose Pond is low.

Water Quality Measures: Moose Pond Sample Station # 3 is a non-colored lake (average color 12 SPU) with an average SDT of 6.4m (21.0ft). The range of water column TP for Moose Pond is 6 - 8 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 7 ppb, while Chla ranges from 2.9 - 4.2 ppb with an average of 3.6 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show moderate DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for TP to leave the bottom sediments and become available to algae in the water column (internal loading) is slight. Oxygen levels below 5 parts per million stress certain cold water fish, and a persistent loss of oxygen may eliminate or reduce habitat for sensitive cold water species.

Sample Station #4

Water quality monitoring datasets for Moose Pond Sample Station #4 has been collected since 1979. During this period, 9 years of basic chemical information was collected in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Moose Pond is considered to be average, based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Moose Pond is low.

Water Quality Measures: Moose Pond Sample Station #4 is slightly colored (average color 25 SPU) with an average SDT of 4.9m (16.4ft). The range of water column TP for Moose Pond is 7 - 15 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 10 ppb, while Chla ranges from 2.0 – 5.9 ppb with an average of 3.6 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show slight DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for TP to leave the bottom sediments and become available to algae in the water column (internal loading) is low. Oxygen levels below 5 parts per million stress certain cold water fish, and a persistent loss of oxygen may eliminate or reduce habitat for sensitive cold water species.

See ME-DEP Explanation of Lake Water Quality Monitoring Report for measured variable explanations. Additional lake information can be found on the Internet at http://www.lakesofmaine.org/ and/or http://www.maine.gov/dep/blwq/lake.htm , or telephone the ME-DEP at 207-287-3901 or the VLMP at 207-783-7733.

Filename: MOOS3134_01,02 &_03.doc, Revised: 12/06, By: lb