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Protecting the health of Lake Kolelemook starts with regular monitoring of water quality. Results and trends help us understand what’s working well and what needs attention.
Monthly water observation and sampling is completed by KLPA volunteers usually between June and September of each year. Volunteers use a Secchi Disk to measure water transparency, or turbidity and take water samples at two different depths to be analyzed. The Epilimnion, or surface layer of the lake (typically up to 3 meters deep) and the Hypolimnion, or lower layer of the lake, typically cooler than the water above and relatively stagnant. We sample at 2 and 4 meters deep. |
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Information and samples are sent to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association (LSPA)Water Quality Lab at Colby Sawyer College, a satellite lab of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for analysis. We receive spreadsheets showing trends on over a dozen data points and an annual Data Summary report from the NHDES as part of our participation in their Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP). Results are compared to median values of other NH lakes as well as various standard thresholds. Trend analysis is also performed.
The most 2023 report is presented below. Most parameters are stable or improving. Conductivity, the ability of water to conduct an electrical current, is worsening. Generally, the higher the conductivity, the higher amount of impurities such as minerals are in the water. Likewise, Chlorophyll-a jumped up above the NH median in 2023. These increases at Lake Kolelemook are most likely due to minerals such as salt and phosphorus being swept into the lake during high periods of rain. As such, the KLPA is focusing attention on understanding and managing the runoff from the high grounds around the lake. Surrounding landowners are encouraged to review the NHDES publication “A Guide to Wise Lake and Watershed Stewardship”.
See file below
The most 2023 report is presented below. Most parameters are stable or improving. Conductivity, the ability of water to conduct an electrical current, is worsening. Generally, the higher the conductivity, the higher amount of impurities such as minerals are in the water. Likewise, Chlorophyll-a jumped up above the NH median in 2023. These increases at Lake Kolelemook are most likely due to minerals such as salt and phosphorus being swept into the lake during high periods of rain. As such, the KLPA is focusing attention on understanding and managing the runoff from the high grounds around the lake. Surrounding landowners are encouraged to review the NHDES publication “A Guide to Wise Lake and Watershed Stewardship”.
See file below
| a_guide_to_wise_lake_and_watershed_stewardship.pdf |
Below are some prior year's VLAP reports:
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| 2021_vlap-kolelemook-springfield.pdf |
| 2020_vlap-kolelemook-springfield.pdf |