Exploring Nature. Inspiring Science.​
Lacawac.org
  • HOME
  • About
    • History
    • Staff
    • Governance
    • Partners
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Newsletters
    • General Information >
      • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
  • Our Impact
    • Research >
      • Research at Lacawac
      • Grants for Researchers
      • Facilities
      • College Classes
      • Collegiate Partners
      • Internships
      • Writing Retreat
    • Education >
      • Field Trips
      • Lacawac in the Classroom
      • High School Programs
      • Summer Camps >
        • Camp Counselor in Training
      • Conservation Leadership Academy
      • Girls in STEM Symposium
    • Preservation >
      • PLEON >
        • PLEON Lake School
        • Shoreline Monitoring Program
      • Land Protection
      • Helping Injured Animals
    • Adult Programs >
      • Nature Programs
      • At Ease Veteran Program
      • Lacawac Artists' Residency
      • Tackle Loaner Program
  • Support Us
    • Membership
    • Annual Fund >
      • Monthly Giving Program
    • Weddings
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • NatureStay Initiative
    • Veteran Brick Campaign
    • Planned Giving
    • Endowments
    • Volunteer
    • Naming Opportunities >
      • Recognition Bench Program
      • Trail Signage Program
    • Merchandise
  • Events
    • Cocktails for Conservation
    • Farm to Plate
    • Trail Run Race Series >
      • Run for the Osprey
      • Lake to Lake 8K Trail Run
  • Visit Us
    • Preserves and Sanctuaries >
      • Hiking at Lacawac
    • Virtual Tour
    • Facilities
    • Lodging Rentals
    • Get Outside, Get Healthy

Results of the 2019 Citizen-Led Water Quality Monitoring of Lake Wallenpaupack

5/12/2020

 
In 2019, Lacawac’s PLEON program started a citizen-led water quality monitoring program on Lake Wallenpaupack. Lake Wallenpaupack is the 3rd largest lake in Pennsylvania and is an important economic resource for the area. This program trains lake community members as citizen scientists in order to collect water quality data from many locations around the lake over many time points. These data can then be used to identify pristine or problem areas and identify changes in water quality over time.

Thank you to our 2019 Lake Wallenpaupack citizen scientists: Bill Leishear, Peter Paul Olszewski, Sheryl McClosky, the Bouchard Family, Terri Marcellus, Quinn Williams, Sinclaire Ogof, Mary Ellen Bentler, and the Heck Family! These dedicated volunteers recorded lake temperature, Secchi depth (a measure of water clarity), water color, and the types of particles present weekly during June, July, and August. They also collected water samples which were analyzed at the Lacawac Environmental Laboratory for the amount of algae in the water.

One of the major findings of the 2019 program was the lake-wide algae bloom that was present during much of the summer. Water samples collected by citizen scientists showed a marked increase in the chlorophyll concentration in the lake staring in mid-July. Chlorophyll is the green pigments found in algae cells and is used as a measure of the amount of algae present. This increase in algae abundance was seen across all sampling locations.

Around the same time, citizen scientists recorded a decrease in Secchi depth. Secchi depth is an indication of water clarity. It is measured by lowering a black and white disk straight down into the water. The depth at which the disk just disappears from view is the Secchi depth. Lakes with clear water have deeper Secchi depths than those with more murky or dark water. The fact that Secchi depth declined in Wallenpaupack at the same time the chlorophyll concentration increased suggests that the algae bloom was negatively impacting water clarity.

The full 2019 Wallenpaupack Citizen-Led Water Quality Report is available on our website. The 2020 program is accepting volunteers now (more details found in this issue of Forest Notes). One of the key questions moving forward is how often does Wallenpaupack experience prolonged, lake-wide algae blooms such as the one observed in 2019?

 

Picture
Figure 1: The 2019 Wallenpaupack sampling sites
Picture
Figure 2: Chlorophyll a concentration (a proxy for algae abundance) over time in all sites. Blue, yellow, and gray symbols represent SW, NE, and mid-lake sites.
Rick Shema link
6/9/2020 06:24:59

I'd like to become a citizen scientist to provide water samples of Lake Wallenpaupack. I live on Sunny Point and have a boat.

Thank you!

Rick Shema
808-291-9949

Susan Pavone
9/1/2020 09:55:30

I’d like to send samples from my area, Spinnler Point Cove

Scott Spinucci
12/11/2021 20:29:25

I’d like to volunteer. I ran an environmental non-profit that did water monitoring on the Susquehanna River, a couple decades ago.

Alex Fleming link
10/15/2022 17:14:01

Easy budget other pay bit.
Read little business administration hotel.
Soon available father onto allow. Among these someone small piece. Partner defense national help seem.

Kyle Wagner link
10/20/2022 01:23:04

Time response trade amount. How when street save head recent.
Let country another these nature part event allow. Poor get herself.

ทางเข้าเล่น joker link
11/25/2022 03:40:09

very beneficial information shared in this text, perfect written!

ทางเข้าjoker link
6/15/2023 08:09:22

your website is very nice, the article is very enlightening, I wish you continued success.


Comments are closed.
Picture

Sanctuary Hiking Hours: Open to the public sunrise to sunset

Lacawac Sanctuary Foundation is an independent nonprofit dedicated to scientific research, environmental education, and conservation, nestled along the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack in the Northern Poconos. Our mission is made possible through the support of grants and generous private donations, ensuring that future generations can explore, learn from, and protect the natural world.​

LACAWAC SANCTUARY FOUNDATION
94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel, PA 18436
570.689.9494 - [email protected]

Proud Member:

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture


Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture