The first of what is planned as annual studies of the water quality in Raymond lakes and ponds has been completed by the Raymond Waterways Protective Association and the results are hopeful.
 |
| A new study has examined water quality in lakes and ponds around Raymond and found them to be healthy, however members of the Raymond Waterways Protective Association say that residents and visitors need to remain vigilant to keep them that way for future generations. FILE PHOTO |
Steve Craine of the Raymond Waterways Protective Association said that the results are very encouraging.
“While our lakes are considered healthy, ongoing vigilance is necessary,” Craine said. “Our waterways will only remain clean and healthy for future generations if we identify and mitigate problem areas quickly and efficiently.”
Craine said this water quality report is a new initiative in a campaign by the Raymond Waterways Protective Association of education and public outreach to encourage residents and visitors to protect local lakes for the long term.
According to Craine, the study shows that Raymond’s lakes are healthy and are among the best in the state, but few lakes show significant quality declines.
“Water clarity is generally good, but a few areas of decreasing clarity need attention,” Craine writes in the report. “Water clarity decreases are usually an early sign of underlying issues.”
The significance of water clarity is that it is a key indicator of lake health, Craine said.
“It is measured as Secchi disk transparency which denotes the maximum depth at which a black and white Secchi disk can be seen from the surface,” Craine writes in the report. “The greater the depth, the clearer the water. Clarity is also easily observable to anyone who uses the lake for swimming, fishing, or boating – a clear lake is a beautiful sight.”
He says that the main cause of reduced water clarity is suspended algae.
“Algae, in turn, are an indication of excess nutrients – especially phosphorus – in the water,” Craine said. “When algae die in huge numbers at the end of the season, they decompose – a process that consumes available oxygen, leaving less oxygen for fish. Thus, changes in Secchi disk transparency can expose underlying threats such as excess phosphorus and algae, as well as oxygen depletion.
He said that no lake in Raymond has experienced an algal bloom for at least 30 years and most of the lakes are below the state average in phosphorus concentration.
Phosphorus is a naturally occurring element that is essential to all plant and animal life, Craine said.
“In fact, it is a necessary component of every molecule of DNA and other vital components of every living cell,” he said. “Phosphorus is the ‘limiting nutrient’ in lakes in our region. That means algae generally has sufficient other necessities for growth but are limited by the availability of this key nutrient. When phosphorus increases, algal blooms may occur, turning water green, depleting dissolved oxygen, and killing fish and other animal life.”
Other issues that affect lake water quality are chlorophyll and invasive plants.
“Regarding chlorophyll, readings in our lakes are higher than they should be, but well below the levels indicating algal blooms,” Craine said. “Variable milfoil has infested Sebago Lake for at least 50 years but is being held in check in Raymond waters while our other lakes are invasive-free.”
Continued vigilance is needed to keep Raymond’s lakes healthy for all to enjoy, he said.
Ongoing initiatives from the Raymond Waterways Protective Association include
● Self and courtesy boat inspections (provided by individual boaters and Raymond Waterways) to prevent invasive plants from entering our waterways
● LakeSmart Program, free onsite property inspections for shorefront property owners to minimize runoff and erosion
● Water quality monitoring, by volunteers throughout Raymond waterways, lakes and ponds.
● Watershed Stewardship, assistance provided to lake associations in conducting watershed surveys and implementing lake protection projects (e.g. erosion and polluted runoff protection)
● Education and outreach to promote public awareness and education of water quality and watershed issues
For the past 50-plus years, the Raymond Waterways Protective Association has worked tirelessly to preserve and protect lakes, streams and ponds in the town of Raymond. It is a volunteer organization that works closely with lake associations, residents, shoreline property owners, visitors, and state and local agencies to address watershed issues of concern.
Over the years, Raymond Waterways has addressed lake contamination attributed to septic system leakage. Acid rain, non-point source pollution from erosion and runoff, and invasive plants are other factors affecting lake water quality in Raymond.
“We remain vigilant in detecting and addressing threats to our waterways and educating the public and local officials about these issues,” Craine said.
For more details about best management practices and an abundance of water, fishing and boating-related resources, visit the website at https://raymondwaterways.org/
Donations to the Raymond Waterways Protective Association are always accepted and appreciated. Donations may be made online at Raymondwaterways.org or by mail at Raymond Waterways, P.O. Box 1243, Raymond, ME 04071. <
No comments:
Post a Comment