September, 2002        .

As promised at the fall LIPA Meeting I collected vegetation from many areas around the Pond.

Samples were taken from three separate areas of South Shore,  both docking areas of Camp Runels, two areas off Webster Beach, Two areas of Island Park and a two areas of the eastern shore.

I also took a sample of an algae bloom that occurred at the Woekel Circle Inlet.

I also took a sample of fill material (lava type looking rocks) used in that area in an attempt to pinpoint the high iron readings.

Below is a transposition of the letter received from the DES.

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Dear Mr. Pinette,

Earlier this week you brought in plant samples, an algae sample, and a sample of fill material used near Woekel Circle to the Department of Environmental Services’ Limnology Center. Jody Connor, the Limnology Center Director, has examined the samples and the results are as follows:

1. The plant samples were all Nitella, a native plant which is not related to milfoil. This plant is not one we would be concerned about.

2. The algae sample was comprised of Stignoema (a filamentous blue-green algae which is not a Cyanobacteria) and Oedogonium (a filamentous green algae). Typically, these types of algae grow at the bottom of lakes/ponds. However, they may float up to the top of the water surface from time to time. These types of al gae are more common later in the summer, especially after periods of warmer weather.

3. The fill material was most likely imported from some other area and appears and appears to be an aluminum iron oxide. While this seems to be a poor choice for fill, there is not much that can be done about it. Next season, we can test the inlet near Woekel Circle for Iron, but we already suspect the results will be high.

I have included a few facts sheets that concerning these topics that may be of interest to you. If you have any questions or need additional information please feel free to contact me at 271-2658 or by email at vlapdes.state.nh.us

Sincerely

Andrea M. LaMoreaux

NHDES VLAP Coordinator

Click Here For Warnings Concerning Algae Blooms

Click Here For A Fact Sheet About Algae Blooms

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