WATER QUALITY SUMMARY

DAMARISCOTTA LAKE, JEFFERSON

MIDAS: 5400, Sample Station # 1 (Northern)

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 data for bacteria, mercury, or nutrients other than phosphorus.

Water quality monitoring datasets have been collected at Station #1 on Damariscotta Lake since 1977. During this period, 21 years of basic chemical information was collected in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Damariscotta Lake is considered above average based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Damariscotta Lake is low.

Water Quality Measures: Damariscotta Lake is a non-colored lake (average color 18 SPU) with an average SDT of 5.2 m (17.4 ft). The range of water column TP for Damariscotta Lake is 7 - 14 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 9 ppb. Chla ranges from 0.7 - 7.9 ppb with an average of 4.7 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show moderate DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for phosphorus to leave the bottom sediments and become available to algae in the water column (internal loading) is low to moderate. Oxygen levels below 5 parts per million stress certain cold water fish; a persistent loss of oxygen may eliminate or reduce habitat for sensitive cold water species.

In 2001, federal funds were used to develop a Watershed Management Plan for Damariscotta Lake. This plan included posting signs on all major roads in the watershed to increase awareness of the watershed boundaries. Changes in land use anywhere in a lake’s watershed, not just the shoreline, can affect the water quality of the lake.

Sample Station # 2 (Middle Station)

Water quality monitoring datasets have been collected from Station #2 on Damariscotta Lake since 1977. During this period, 17 years of basic chemical information was collected in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Damariscotta Lake is considered average based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Damariscotta Lake is low to moderate.

Water Quality Measures: Damariscotta Lake is a non-colored lake (average color 21 SPU) with an average SDT of 5.0 m (16.4 ft). The range of water column TP for Damariscotta Lake is 7 - 11 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 9 ppb. Chla ranges from 1.2 - 29.8 ppb with an average of 5.2 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show moderate DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for phosphorus 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.

In 2001, federal funds were used to develop a Watershed Management Plan for Damariscotta Lake. This plan included posting signs on all major roads in the watershed to increase awareness of the watershed boundaries. Changes in land use anywhere in a lake’s watershed, not just the shoreline, can affect the water quality of the lake.

Sample Station # 3 (South Station)

Water quality monitoring datasets have been collected from Station #3 on Damariscotta Lake since 1977. During this period, 15 years of basic chemical information was collected in addition to Secchi Disk Transparencies (SDT). In summary, the water quality of Damariscotta Lake is considered average based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla). The potential for nuisance algal blooms on Damariscotta Lake is low to moderate.

Water Quality Measures: Damariscotta Lake is a non-colored lake (average color 16 SPU) with an average SDT of 5.2 m (17.1 ft). The range of water column TP for Damariscotta Lake is 8 - 17 parts per billion (ppb) with an average of 11 ppb. Chla ranges from 1.4 - 12.2 ppb with an average of 4.6 ppb. Recent dissolved oxygen (DO) profiles show high DO depletion in deep areas of the lake. The potential for phosphorus to leave the bottom sediments and become available to algae in the water column (internal loading) is moderate to high. 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.

In 2001, federal funds were used to develop a Watershed Management Plan for Damariscotta Lake. This plan included posting signs on all major roads in the watershed to increase awareness of the watershed boundaries. Changes in land use anywhere in a lake’s watershed, not just the shoreline, can affect the water quality of the lake.

See the Maine DEP Explanation of Lake Water Quality Monitoring Report for measured variable explanations. Additional lake information can be obtained by contacting Maine DEP at 207-287-3901 or VLMP at 207-783-7733, and at these Websites: http://www.lakesofmaine.org and http://www.maine.gov/dep/water/lakes/index.html and http://www.mainevolunteerlakemonitors.org .

Filename: dam5400_01,_02 &_03, Revised: 12/04, By: JM Revised:2/11,JP