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Ultrasound Unit Status Report - 2008 Friends of Lake Pocotopaug had about 22 Algae Control units installed in Lake Pocotopaug for most of the summer. More than 18 residents have hosted those units in order to improve the lake water quality. We thank them for their support. One way to measure the water quality is by it’s transparency using a Secchi disc. The results for this year are compared to the last couple years in the table below. All readings in meters | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | June | | -2.4 | -2.1 | July | | -1.5 | Early -2.0 Late -.9 | August | -.7 | -1.0 | -.7 | september | -1 to -1.9 | -.85 | -.7 |
There was no significant improvement in the transparency this year as compared to recent years. Our goal was to reach a transparency of -2.0 m throughout the summer. During the summer there were several instances when the ultrasound units were disturbed by winds and waves. At times more than a third of the units were not properly placed. (We have now developed a mounting method which should eliminate this problem). Algae growth is cumulative i.e. if the growth occurs and there is still a positive growth factor it will continue to add on. During the periods when the ultrasound units were not operating properly the algae growth would have been higher than expected and putting the units back on would have slowed the growth but not reversed it. Another measure of water quality is by it’s suitability for use. We have had feedback from many people, that the water was suitable for swimming throughout the summer. They would have liked an increased transparency but found the water satisfactory for swimming. The low transparency would have limited the suitability of the lake for fishing since the fish could not see the bait. In summary, FLP is disappointed with the low transparency and will continue to work to improve the lake. We intend to install 23 ultrasound units next year and expect to keep them operating properly the whole summer. As Gladys Yeager has said, “ The Lake took a long while to get this way, we can wish, but should not expect, it to get better rapidly.” FLP will be working hard to make a cleaner Lake for all of us. Dr. Jack Solomon
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