Lovewell Pond Association participates with the Voluntary Lake Monitoring Program (www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org/), which is associate with the Maine Center for Invasive Aquatic Plants.

The VLMP trains voluntary lake monitors in techniques for testing a range of elements that indicate overall lake water quality.

Lovewell Pond water quality is monitored by the Maine Volunteer Lake monitoring program (VLMP) in conjunction with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (ME-DEP).  The VLMP is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting Maine’s 6000 lakes and ponds through the acquisition of scientific data, and to raise public awareness about the ecological, aesthetic and economic value of our lakes.

To accomplish the mission of the VLMP, the agency relies greatly upon the efforts of volunteers to collect data and water samples for historical data purposes and analysis.  The goal is to identify trends over a period of time rather than making an immediate evaluation of the water quality.  Volunteers have  undergone training and certification by the VLMP.  For example, volunteers periodically collect water samples and take secchi disk readings throughout the late spring, summer, and early fall seasons.  The data is forwarded to the VLMP for further compilation and analysis. 

LOVEWELL POND WATER QUALITY SUMMARY

The following information regarding Lovewell Pond was provided  by the VLMP (issued March 2001) and is the most current information available:  Refer to the Definition of terms for an explanation of the terms:

Water quality monitoring data for Lovewell Pond has been collected since 1976.  During this period, 6 years of basic chemical information was collected, in addition to Sechi Disk Transparencies (SDT).  In summary, the water quality of Lovewell Pond is considered to be slightly below average, based on measures of SDT, total phosphorus (TP), and Chlorophyll-a (Chla).  The potential for nuisance algae blooms on Lovewell Pond is low.

Water Quality Measures:  Lovewell Pond is a non-colored lake with an average color of 27 Standard Platinum Units (SPU) with an average Secchi Disk Tranparency (SDT) reading of 4.6meters or 15feet.  The range of water column Total Phosphorus (TP) for Lovewell Pond is 6 to 24 ppb with an average of 12ppb, while Chla ranges from 1.1 to 4 ppb with an average of 3.1 ppb.  Recent dissolved oxygen (D.O.) profiles show moderate D.O. 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.  Lovewell Pond is managed by MDIFW as a warm water fishery.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Note:  The midas for Lovewell Pond is 3254

Web links:

www.pearl.maine.edu
www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org
www.MaineDEP.com

Contact Information

Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
24 Maple Hill Road
Auburn, ME  04210
207-783-7733

Maine Department of Environmental Protection
State House Station 17
Augusta, ME  04333
800-452-1942
207-287-3901

DEFINITION OF TERMS:

Note:  The source is from the 2003 Maine VLMP Annual Report

Secchi Disk Transparency:  Secchi disk transparency is a measure of the water clarity, or transparency, of the lake.  Secchi disk readings are reported in meters [1 meter (m) = 3.28 feet]. Factors that reduce clarity are algae, zooplankton, water color and silt.  Since algae are generally the most abundant, measuring transparency indirectly measures algal productivity.  SDT readings can be used to track changes in water quality over time. Transparency values in Maine vary from 0.2 m (.66ft) to 21.3 m (70 ft), with the overall average being 4.9 m (16 ft).  Unless a lake is highly colored, a transparency less than 2m (6.6 ft) or indicates a water quality problem that has resulted in an algal bloom.  In Maine, the mean (average) SDT readings are related to algal productivity using the following guidelines:  Productive = 4m (13ft) or less;  Moderately productive = 4-8m (13-26.5ft);  Unproductive = 8m (26.5ft) or greater.

Total phosphorus:  Total Phosphorus (TP) is one of the major nutrients needed for plant growth.  It is generally present in small amounts and limits the plant growth in lakes.  It is measured in parts per billion (ppb).  As phosphorus increases, the amount of algae also increases.  Epilimnetic TP varies from 1 ppb to 15.000 ppb with the average being 12 ppb.  The samples collected at Lovewell Pond are surface grabs (meaning the sample was taken from the surface of the water approx 2-3 ft down).

Chlorophyll A (ppb):  Chlorophyll A (Chl a) is a measurement of the green pigment found in all plants including microscopic plants such as algae.  It is used as an estimate of algal biomass, the higher the Chl a number the higher the amount of algae in the lake.  Chl a varies from 0.1 ppb to 238.6 ppb, with the average 5.2 ppb.

Color:  The amount of “color” in a lake refers to the concentration of natural dissolved organic acids such as tannins and lignins, which give the water a tea color.  Color is measured by comparing a sample of lake water to Standard Platinum Units (SPU).  Lakes that are considered colored (>30 SPU) can have reduced transparency readings and increased phosphorus values.  This does not mean the lake is more productive,  the color simply interferes with the test so better results cannot be achieved.  Chlorophyll a (Chl a) is the best indicator of productivity in colored lakes and should be used if possible.  Color varies from 1 to 289, with the average in Maine being 26 SPU.

Dissolved Oxygen:  Dissolved oxygen (D.O.) is the measure of the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water.  All living organisms, except for certain types of bacteria, need oxygen to survive.  Organisms living in the water have the ability to use the oxygen dissolved in the water to breathe.  Too little oxygen severely reduces the diversity and population of aquatic communities.  Therefore the amount of D.O. in the water is very important to aquatic life.  Low oxygen can directly kill or stress organisms such that they will not be able to successfully reproduce or grow.  Water with less than 1 part per million (ppm) of oxygen is considered anoxic (no oxygen present);  less than 4mg/l of oxygen is generally considered so stressful that most coldwater fish will avoid these areas.  Anoxic conditions can also promote TP release from sediments.

Temperature:  Temperature is a measure of heat in the water and can affect the waters chemistry and biology.  For example, the amount of oxygen water can hold is directly related to the temperature of the water.  The higher the temperature, the less oxygen the water can hold.