Volunteer Water Quality Testing by the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt

Community Science/Research
Oral Presentation

Prepared by D. Miller
Friends of Lake Quannapowitt, 3 Velma Road, Wakefield, MA, 01880, United States


Contact Information: [email protected]; 781-621-8193

ABSTRACT

Lake Quannapowitt is a shallow glacial kettle lake located entirely within the town of Wakefield, Massachusetts - a suburban community about 14 miles north of Boston. The lake has suffered many environmental challenges in its history, including coal-tar waste, copper sulfate and arsenic additions to combat algae and aquatic weeds, and high nutrient levels with persistent cyanobacteria blooms.

Formed in 1991, the Friends of Lake Quannapowitt (FOLQ) aims to protect the environment in and around this valuable community resource. As part of its mission, FOLQ volunteers measure various water quality parameters including Secchi disk depth (SD), total phosphorus (TP), chlorophyll-a concentration (CHLA), cyanobacteria cell counts and species identification, and microcystin toxin levels.

These data are shared with the public and town government to help identify methods for improving water quality and enhancing recreational uses of the lake.