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Amy Smagula- NH DESLimnologist/Exotic Species Program Coordinator
Lake Lake WicwasWicwas, Meredith, MeredithWater Quality,Water Quality,
Algae,Algae,& Invasive Plants& Invasive Plants
Water Quality
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Chlorophyll-a
TotalPhosphorus
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Clarity
• Eutrophication: the process lake lake aging; it happens naturally over time, but human activity and pollution can accelerate the process
• Oligotrophic• Mesotrophic• Eutrophic
Lake Aging
Classifying Lakes
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Overall Lake Rating
• Lake ratings in NH are based on four categories:– Dissolved Oxygen Concentration– Secchi Disk (clarity)– Plant Abundance– Chlorophyll-a (algal biomass)
Remember to keep tabs on activities in the watershed that contribute nutrients,
including:
Herbicide ApplicationSediment DisruptionFarming/AnimalsGasoline SpillsUrban DevelopmentCommercial DevelopmentImproperly Constructed Beaches
ConstructionRoad RunoffShoreline ErosionForestry ActivitiesFertilizingWashing CarsSeptic System Failure/leaking
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How to prevent problems
• Good planning• Low Impact Development• Best Management PracticesYes, YOUYOU can make a difference!
Algae WoesAlgae Woes
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Problems with BloomsProblems with BloomsUnsightly: Unsightly: A cyanobacteria bloom may color the A cyanobacteria bloom may color the water a bright green, peawater a bright green, pea--soup or soup or bluishbluish--green color. green color. May have the appearance of spilled May have the appearance of spilled paint, car antifreeze, or bluishpaint, car antifreeze, or bluish--green green chunks floating throughout the water chunks floating throughout the water column. column.
Taste Problems:Taste Problems: algae can lead to bad algae can lead to bad tastes in the water including bitter, tastes in the water including bitter, fishy, and sweet.fishy, and sweet.
Odor Problems:Odor Problems: water may smell fishy, water may smell fishy, grassy, like geraniums, or musty. grassy, like geraniums, or musty. Once cells decay, a septic odor is Once cells decay, a septic odor is common.common.
Animal mortality including fish kills.Animal mortality including fish kills.
ToxinsToxins
Webster Lake, Franklin, 2007
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Bow Lake, Northwood
What might a Cyanobacteria bloom or scum look like?What might a Cyanobacteria bloom or scum look like?
Lake Monomonac, Rindge
Lake Monomonac, Rindge
Willand Pond, Somersworth/Dover
March’s Pond, New Durham
Showell Pond, Sandown
Sample >50% toxinSample >50% toxin--producing producing cyanobacteria cyanobacteria
Beach AdvisoryBeach Advisory issued issued --Manager contacted Manager contacted --Signs postedSigns posted
OROR
Lake WarningLake Warning if no if no beach or bloom far beach or bloom far from a beach from a beach --Reporting individuals Reporting individuals
contactedcontacted
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Aquatic PlantsAquatic Plants
A full plant survey was conducted A full plant survey was conducted in 2004 as part of a lake in 2004 as part of a lake
assessment surveyassessment survey
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Aquatic Plants in Lake Wicwas• Pickerelweed• White water-lily• Yellow water-lily• Watershield• Bur-reed• Waterweed• Floating heart• Bladderwort• Pondweeds• Cattail• Grasses, sedges, and rushes
Pickerelweed
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White water-lily
Yellow water-lily
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WatershieldWatershield
Bur-reed
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Waterweed (Elodea)
Floating heart
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BladderwortBladderwort
PondweedsPondweeds
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CattailCattail
Exotic Aquatic PlantsExotic Aquatic Plants
• Prevention• Early Detection• Rapid Response• Management• Education
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The Problem of InvasivesThe Problem of Invasives• They’re a nuisance species
– They grow quickly and take over a system– Reduce aesthetic and recreational value of
waterbodies– Reduce economic value of waterbodies– Reduce ecology and diversity of waterbodies
• They cannot be eradicated– They can be controlled and managed– Cannot be removed completely once they’ve fully
infested a system
The Big Three for Lake Wicwas
• Based on your location and nearby infestations, and plants on the move, we believe that the following three plants will be your biggest threats to your waterbody:– Variable milfoil– Fanwort– Water chestnut
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Variable milfoil
Fanwort
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Water chestnut
Early DetectionEarly Detection
Early Detection!•• The Weed Watcher Program is aimed at The Weed Watcher Program is aimed at
developing an early detection network on a developing an early detection network on a waterbodywaterbody–– Volunteers are trained by DES to:Volunteers are trained by DES to:
•• Identify plants that are a problemIdentify plants that are a problem•• How to survey and whenHow to survey and when•• How to collect specimens for IDHow to collect specimens for ID•• How to mark locations of suspicious growthHow to mark locations of suspicious growth
–– A Weed Watcher training has not formally been A Weed Watcher training has not formally been conducted on your lake…schedule one today and conducted on your lake…schedule one today and start that early detection…it can save your lake!start that early detection…it can save your lake!
