Algae bloom in Highland by Rosie Hartzler

Many of you may have noticed that over the past three summers, for three to four weeks during July and August, Highland Lake has experienced a sudden change in water clarity. The culprit has been identified as a form of algae.  Although these algae are microscopic, they are growing in such large populations that they drastically reduce water clarity. When the algae “bloom” ends, water clarity returns to normal. 

In order to safeguard the lake and the emotional and financial investments we have in it, we must consider this situation as a serious warning sign of potential trouble ahead.  Since our annual blooms

are not a natural occurrence, we must attempt to identify the reasons for this recurring algae bloom.  

Based on the increasing concern about what is going on in Highland Lake and its watershed, the Highland Lake Association applied for and was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Town of Windham. The Association has committed an additional $2,000 from its general fund to study this issue. Funds will be devoted to a project named, “Algae Discovery and Highland Lake Recovery” with two primary objectives:

·       To identify the specific type of algae that is causing the bloom and to learn why it is recurring. 

·       To engage Highland Lake residents in a cooperative effort to finance the study, share its findings, and take corrective action.

A group of Highland Lake Association (HLA) board members and watershed residents will oversee the Algae Discovery and Highland Lake Recovery Project. In addition, this phenomenon is being studied extensively by water quality monitors at Highland Lake. Highland Lake is one of the most studied lakes in Southern Maine.

As information is discovered regarding the algae bloom, it will be made available to the Highland Lake watershed community via various media outlets, including the Highland Lake Association website.   

The project will be the primary focus of the HLA Annual meeting scheduled for July 20, 2017.

We invite your participation in this ongoing project.  For more information, go to the Highland Lake Association web site:  www.highlandlakemaine.org/  Questions and comments? 

Contact Rosie Hartzler, co-chair of the ADHLR project:  rosie@rosieworks.com. Donate to the ADHLR project. Go to the “Donations” section of the Highland Lake Website to donate using PayPal. You may also write a check to: Highland Lake Association and mail to:

Highland Lake Association

P.O. Box 1684

Windham, ME 04062