7830-R2_LSLA_2021_WinetrNewsletter_Web

Water Quality Enhancement Synergy with St. Joseph’s College of Maine

For years, every other week from May to October water tests are done in several sections of the lake. The testing was handed down from resident Bruce Micucci to our dedicated Rick Sullivan. Rick took the necessary training and now even hosts training in June for the State. So, if you see someone parked in the same spot lowering equipment early in the morning, please slow down to avoid waves and give him a bit of space to complete his work. Lake residents have expressed concernswith increased algae, plant growth and decreasing water quality. One questions if the changes we are seeing are triggers for further degradation and increased problems. To elevate our efforts in monitoring water quality affecting growth of algae, invasive and native plants, we needed testing and analysis that is beyond the technology and expertise of SLA. LSLA wanted to expand upon our current water testing program of Secchi disc for water clarity and DO testing to measure oxygen in the water to include phosphorus and chlorophyll testing in the upper, middle and lower lakes. This would include testing the water column and sediment from the bottom of the lake in designated places. If the testing program is continued annually, LSLA can quantify any changes that are occurring and hopefully avoid any catastrophic events other lakes have experienced that are costly or impossible to remedy. Saint Joseph’s College STEM faculty and students partnered with LSLAon previous project includingmilfoil remediation and currently a project training student in lake management practices and developing enhanced water quality monitoring capabilities for Little Sebago Lake. STEM students are taught by four disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. As a community organization focused on understanding the complex ecology and water resources of Little Sebago Lake and sustaining it into the future, we benefit from a STEM-literate populace who understand the challenges facing the natural environment. The training and development of students in STEM fields, from pre- kindergarten to college graduates is also an asset for us and the entire state.

Sediment Testing

Rick Sullivan took the students and faculty, if needed, with him twice a month to teach them how to perform DO and Secchi disk testing and faculty would train the students on how to take the phosphorus and chlorophyl tests from the water or sediment. Professor Emily Lesher and Professor Johan Erikson showed the students how to capture water and sediment samples various lab tests to measure for chlorophyll and

phosphorus. Water Quality Committee- Rick Sullivan, Kevin Kaserman, Kevin Murphy, Pam Wilkinson

Val and Mason Water samples

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