Keeping it clean and clear in Rockport

Wed, 07/04/2018 - 1:30pm

Sadie Mills

Rockport Citizen Scientists learn about monitoring lakes and ponds with technology. (Photo courtesy Rockport Conservation Commission)

As a second step in the Rockport Conservation Commission’s partnership with the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program (VLMP), pond monitoring volunteers for Chickawaukie Pond, Rocky Pond, Lily Pond, Tolman Pond, Grassy Pond, and Maces Pond carpooled from Rockport to the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program water quality workshop and training session on Auburn Lake.

The training session detailed the program goals, and what Volunteer Citizen Lake Scientists do and are responsible for. The Volunteer Lake Data is used by the VLMP and Maine DEP to improve the understanding of the ecology/function of Maine’s lakes, assess and classify water quality, and provide protective water quality standards for individual lakes on local and state levels.

Rockport Volunteer Citizen Lake Scientists will be monitoring Secchi disk transparency (clarity) as well as phosphorus levels in the six ponds.

Secchi disk transparency is a simple and reliable way to estimate the concentration of algae in the water, which is the result of watershed runoff of phosphorus and sediment. Phosphorus is sourced from soil erosion, fertilizers, animal waste, septic systems, and other decaying organic matter, but is transported into our local water bodies by stormwater runoff. Increased phosphorus levels can increase phytoplankton populations and limit dissolved oxygen available to other organisms. Dryer years will experience less watershed runoff and clearer lake water while wetter years will be the opposite.

On Lake Auburn, volunteers learned and practiced how to properly use and read a Secchi disk, and how to collect water samples that are free of contamination. Secchi Disk Transparency tests will be taken twice a month by volunteers, and water samples for phosphorus testing will be taken twice in July and August and sent to the Maine Health and Environmental Testing Lab in Augusta. Both of these tests will be done at designated stations on the ponds with the greatest depths.

The mission of the Rockport Conservation Commission is to promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural resources in Rockport. The commission is responsible for conducting research, educating the public and making recommendations to appropriate town bodies, and work with other conservation organizations throughout the region to sustain the natural ecosystems for current and future generations to use and enjoy.

The commission meets the first Thursday of each month at noon in the Richardson Room at the Rockport Town Office.

Sadie Mills is a senior at Camden Hills Regional High School