8/14/2019 LOON LAKE WATER TESTING This is the Second of Three

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LOON LAKE WATER TESTING

This is the second of three articles on the sampling, testing and monitoring of Loon Lake water. The first article addressed why we sample, test, and monitor our

lake water.

The second and third articles will describe the different types testing.

There are basically two types of testing. The first type deals with the variouschemical and biological characteristics of the lake. The second type deals directlywith pollution caused by coliform organisms and associated pathogens related tohuman and animal populations.

The first testing type operates independently of our lake association and the workis performed by a volunteer working for the Ontario Ministry of the Environmentand for the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters. The results of the testingare made available both online and through maintained records.

The second type is performed by volunteers working directly for the lakeassociation and they are members of what is known as the Water Committee.The results of their testing are made available through annual newsletters, online,and through maintained records.

Individuals reading and interpreting the test results are encouraged to learn andunderstand the meaning of the results on their own. It is the policy of the people

doing the work on the lake that they will not give opinions or advice on theresults of the testing.

This article will address the first type , that of testing for the various chemical andbiological characteristics of the lake.

It is important to remember that any changes in the lake chemistry and biologywill affect not only the fisheries within the lake but our enjoyment of the lake aswell as our real estate investments.

Within the first testing type are two subcatagories.

1. Invasive Species Testing2. Water Clarity Testing

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While the words Water Clarity Testing describes exactly what the testing does,there is actually a lot of science behind the words. The visual clarity of a lakehas a lot to do with indicating the overall health of a lake. And overall health

means the ability of a lake to sustain microorganism growth which in turnsupports complex food chains in a lake. It also means a lot more. For humans,the cloudiness of the water; the taste of the water; the smell of the water; thefeel of the bottom of the lake on the feet; the number of weeds in the lake; andthe presence of any slime or algae blooms are all very important factors thataffect not only the enjoyment of the lake but the real estate values of cottagesand homes on the lake.

Loon Lake is very lucky to have had a series of stewards who have monitored thelake over the years. And we are very lucky to have the resources of the OntarioMinistry of the Environment [OMOE], with it's Lake Partner Program to help us.There is a wealth of information kept about the lake water conditions over theyears. And this data is periodically inspected to watch for trend changes. TheOntario Ministry of Natural Resources [OMNR] also has records about Loon Lakefrom which we have periodically referenced data. If changes are detected, anyone of the OMOE, the OMNR, or in fact the federal Department of Fisheries andOceans [DFO] can quickly be contacted for assistance or advice.

The Water Quality Testing project consists of two activities.

The first Water Quality Testing activity is the gathering of water samples.

In the fall of each year, the OMOE sends out a kit that contains a collection bottle,a funnel with a microorganism filter, a pouring beaker, and test tubes. Thisequipment is used to collect samples of lake water. Early in the following spring,

just after ice-out and certainly well before the Victoria Day weekend, twosamples of water are collected from the deepest part of Loon Lake that is mostremote from any streams that flow into the lake.

The samples of water are used to test for phosphate levels in the lake.Phosphates are very important for they are nutrients that can cause rapid and

dense growth of algae and weeds. Many Southern Ontario lakes and rivers havesuffered from nutrient overdosing from fertilizers used in farming activities.Phosphate can occur in a lake from either natural sources or from humanactivities. From a natural perspective, heavy consistent periods of rain can causean increase in groundwater flow that it turn will introduce excess phosphates intoa lake. From a human perspective, use of lawn fertilizers, non friendly soaps anddetergents, or septic system problems can increase phosphate concentrations in alake.

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To illustrate the importance of testing. A few years ago, the results from theannual water testing showed levels of phosphate that were abnormal over twice

the normal recorded. On completing the laboratory work, the OMOE phoned thetester advising of the anomaly and suggested starting to look for the cause. TheOMOE was prepared to come to Loon Lake if necessary to assist. It wassubsequently discovered, after some basic detective work, that a beaver damon Portage Lake had opened, causing an influx of nutrient rich water to enterLoon Lake, creating a plume of high phosphate concentration water. Portage Lakeis in itself a recipient of water from a very large beaver pond which has highnutrient concentrations.

The second Water Quality Testing activity consists of periodically measuring and recording the actual clarity of the lake water.

This is done by lowering a calibrated device known as a Secchi Disk into thelake under controlled conditions. The disk is lowered into the lake until it is nolonger visible and the depth is noted. The disk actually indicates the point of nofurther penetration of sunlight. That point is quite significant - for at that depth,the absence of sunlight means that photosynthesis stops, causing the growth of plant life to stop. Any change in the Secchi Depth means that a change in thegrowth of microorganisms has occurred . A shallower depth means there aremore microorganisms and the water has a higher nutrient level. And that thewater is cloudier. The Secchi depth is used to indicate the general classification

of the type of lake.

To learn more about the testing and it's significance, visit the following OMOEwebsite wherein the Lake Partner Program is highlighted:

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/lakepartner/index.php

This article has described one type of water testing that is performed on LoonLake that which addresses with the various chemical and biologicalcharacteristics of the lake. Those characteristics are addressed by testing for

phosphate levels and water clarity. Variations from what is normal are veryimportant, for they can signify the beginning of major lake changes. Changes wedon't want to occur !

It is therefore vital to monitor the lake and take immediate action should anysignificant changes from trends be noted. That means involving the appropriateresources or authorities or people whenever necessary!

http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/lakepartner/index.phphttp://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/water/lakepartner/index.php

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