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For more information on algae and how you can help reduce phosphorous in the lake, visit the "Keeping Our Lake Healthy" page.
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WATER QUALITY
We've been reporting on water quality since 2005. Prior to that Hamilton County was doing testing from 1998 to 2003. There were differences in testing and analysis so we did our own via Adirondack Lake Alliance Program (ALAP). For the last several years Hamilton County now has the water samples analyzed by Adirondack Watershed Institute located at Paul Smith's College. This is the same lab that ALAP uses. Starting in 2019 we began relying on Hamilton County testing program to understand water quality conditions in Lake Abanakee. Testing is conducted three times during the summer months. Lakes are classified by the level of nutrients. The state of Lake Abanakee is Mesotrophic, which means it has a medium amount of nutrients, such as phosphorous and nitrogen. For 2019 there are no major changes to water quality. No significant change in phosphate or chlorophyll levels. PH acidic, was .8, phosphorous was 5.5, chlorophyll was 2.9, chloride (salt) was 3.9. In comparing our numbers to Lake Adirondack, ours were lower. But Lake Adirondack's numbers also fall in the "good" range.
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Algae Bloom Concerns
It is difficult to pinpoint cause of the increase in algae during Summer 2016. At first we thought the hot, rainy weather could be to blame. Or possibly too many nutrients were getting into the water. Now that we have the 2016 water quality report available, it would indicate that nutrients aren't to blame. At least not the phosphorous (ph) levels, as 2016 was just slightly higher than 2014. (2014 ph total = 9.3, 2016 ph total = 9.7).
It is difficult to pinpoint cause of the increase in algae during Summer 2016. At first we thought the hot, rainy weather could be to blame. Or possibly too many nutrients were getting into the water. Now that we have the 2016 water quality report available, it would indicate that nutrients aren't to blame. At least not the phosphorous (ph) levels, as 2016 was just slightly higher than 2014. (2014 ph total = 9.3, 2016 ph total = 9.7).
Harmful Algae Blooms vs Native Floating Rafts
- HAB (Harmful Algae Blooms) looks like pea soup/spilled paint (don't swim in it!).
- Native (non-toxic) Floating Rafts of algae are bubbling silky/hairy. NFR is good fertilizer -- you can pull it out and put it on your garden!
If anyone suspects that they have seen or come into contact with a HAB, please report the bloom to the NYS-DEC. Fill out and submit a Suspicious Algal Bloom Report Formsurvey123.arcgis.com/share/66337b887ccd465ab7645c0a9c1bc5c0. Email the completed form and, if possible, attach digital photos (close-up and landscape to show extent and location) of the suspected bloom to HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov. We (Lake Abanakee) are Region 5 of DEC.
Algae information provided by Caitlin Stewart, District Manager from the Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Additional Resources
Lake Abanakee water monitoring data from Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Information about harmful algal blooms from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.
Lake Abanakee water monitoring data from Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District.
Information about harmful algal blooms from the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation.