Living on Fern Lake and Lake Dunmore requires making daily decisions that can affect the water quality of the lakes. Living lake-friendly isn’t about giving anything up – it is about finding out what works for you and what works with the lakes. It is about educating ourselves so that decisions and actions help protect our lakes for generations to come. Here is some information to help us become better-informed stewards of our lakes.
Preserving our Lakes - Watch the great zoom discussion with Dave Johnson, Chair Water Quality!
The Vermont Dept of Environments Conservation has identified major lake stressors. They include:
Acidity – caused primarily by atmospheric deposition of nitrogen and sulfur compounds (acid rain).
Erosion – excessive channel and land erosion is brought about by human activities that alter runoff patterns and deliver sediment and nutrients to the lakes.
Flow Alteration – altering the natural flow of streams or lake levels affects the extent of habitats, water temperature, dissolved oxygen and concentrations of toxins in aquatic organisms.
Encroachment – placement of structures upon the lakeshores result in the loss of buffer zones, increasing sunlight penetration, reducing habitat quality and quantity, and poor ecological integrity.
Invasive Species – out-compete native plants, algae and animals resulting in reduced recreational opportunities and altered ecosystem.
Nutrient Loading – septic systems and fertilizer usage deliver nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen causing increased likelihood of toxic algae growth.
Pathogens – fecal contamination may result from poorly maintained septic systems, pet waste and natural sources and cause gastrointestinal distress when exposed to swimmers.
Phosphorus – increases in phosphorus can lead to problematic changes in freshwater lakes such as increased algae and a subsequent loss of deep water oxygen.
Toxic Substances – several categories including mercury, PCBs, heavy metals, pharmaceutical degrades, and personal care products have consequential impacts to aquatic life.
Thermal Stress – excess warming occurs as a result of reduced lakeshore vegetation and climate change impacting aquatic species.
For additional information visit the Vermont Watershed Management site.
Below is the poster prepared by the LDFLA Water Quality Committee for our 2022 LDFLA Picnic. It describes troubling water quality trends on Lake Dunmore and remedial actions. Email info@ldfla.com with questions.
Below is the poster prepared by the LDFLA Water Quality Committee for our 2019 LDFLA Picnic.
