Water Quality Monitoring

Water clarity is a quick and easy way to measure lake health.   

Water clarity will decrease as algae concentration increases.  Increased algae growth results in a decline in oxygen levels which affects the lake's aquatic ecosystem.  Storm water runoff from the lake watershed can carry phosphorus and sediment into the lake which can cause an accelerated growth of algae and other plant life.  It is critical that we monitor watershed activities that could affect the pond.  

Volunteers from the Piper Pond Association use the Secchi disk transparency (SDT) method to measure water clarity.  Larger Secchi disk numbers indicate increased clarity.  Years of  data are required to determine lake stability and track trends. 

The data shows that Piper Pond has been relatively stable and  is above average compared to other Maine lakes (avg. 5.3)

Data Source: Lake Stewards of Maine

Phosphorous Concentration

Phosphorus is one of the major nutrients needed for algae growth in lakes.   Small increases in phosphorus concentration can cause substantial increases in algae growth.   The phosphorous is measured at various lake depths: SG- surface grab, BG-bottome grab; EC Epilimnetic Core mixed sample from warmer surface layers.   Piper Pond levels have remained relatively constant and are better than the average of all Maine lakes (avg. 11.2)

Data source: Lake Stewards of Maine


Piper Pond Watershed

Activities far removed from the pond can impact our water quality.  Watershed management focuses on activities in a watershed area that could cause polluted water to reach the pond.  The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers many programs to assist with identifying and controlling watershed runoff problems.   As a property owner please consider how pollutants such as dripped or spilled petroleum products, soil, fertilizer, pesticides, and animal waste can be carried by runoff to the nearest ditch and then into the pond.  Contact DEP if you see concerning activities in the Piper Pond watershed area.

Piper Pond Lakes of Maine Water Quality Report


Data Source:https://www.lakesofmaine.org/lake-water-quality.html?m=0298