Alkalinity: 100
DO (ppm): 12
Secchi (Visibility in ft.): 4
pH: 8.5
Temperature(oF): 76
Aquatic Vegetation Species noted: Potamogeton foliosus (Leafy Pondweed)
Algae Species noted: Filamentous Algae, Unicellular Algae
Treatments Conducted: Truesdale Lake was treated with copper sulfate for algae control. Water use restrictions were posted. The next scheduled treatment visit is July 27th.

Comments: Water column brown with unicellular algae. Trace amount of floating and benthic filamentous algae scattered along the shoreline. Small patch of dead and/or dying Leafy Pondweed at launch end of lake.

We asked Allied for some additional ‘layperson’ comments about the testing and Glenn Sullivan, president of Allied Biological, wrote:

“There are a few things of note on this survey, most relating to the algae. The DO (dissolved oxygen) is adequate for fish, but at 76 F, it is actually above saturation. That means at night the DO probably is less than desirable (it reverses at night as plants and algae respirate), and could influence fish or nutrient release. The secchi (clarity) is acceptable, but also less than desirable. Both of these reflect the presence of abundant algae in the water column, which is why the algaecide treatment was needed.

The survey notes the presence of one plant, and only in the south end of the lake. From a swimming perspective this is good, but ecologically it is not.

Any lake should support a diversity of plants in at least 20-30% of the lake area. Obviously, when a lake’s entire shoreline is developed, and the lake is shallow, plants become “weeds” and are often removed. That is the way the lake has always been managed. We have tried to encourage plants in areas where they might be acceptable (water greater than 6′), but that hasn’t been very successful. Unfortunately there isn’t a reliable method of introducing submersed aquatic plants to areas you want them.

(To view pictures of the plants surveyed, go to their website, www.alliedbiological.com and click on the Plant Identification tab)

Click here to download a pdf copy of treatment and survey report. Right-click (control-click on a Mac) and choose “save as…” if you want to save it to your computer.