PowerPoint PresentationPresentation OverviewSlide 3Study ObjectivesSlide 5Slide 6Characteristics of Maine LakesSlide 8Lake TurnoverTrophic Status of LakesNutrientsDefining a WatershedHistorical Perspective of the Webber Pond WatershedGeographical Perspective of the Webber Pond WatershedBiological Perspective of the Webber Pond WatershedFish Stocking of Webber PondIntroduced PlantsWater ChemistrySlide 20Slide 21Slide 22Slide 23Slide 24Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27Slide 28Slide 29Slide 30Slide 31Slide 32Slide 33Slide 34Slide 35Slide 36Slide 37Slide 38Slide 39Slide 40Slide 41Slide 42Slide 43Slide 44Slide 45Slide 46Slide 47Slide 48Slide 49Slide 50Slide 51Slide 52Slide 53Slide 54Slide 55Slide 56Slide 57Slide 58Slide 59Slide 60Land Use Analysis Madeleine MineauShoreland ZoningShoreland Zoning (continued)DiscussionBuffer StripsBuffer Strip ScoringSlide 67Slide 68House CountSlide 70Subsurface Disposal SystemsTown of Vassalboro Ordinances (continued)Webber Pond Watershed Subsurface Disposal SystemsSlide 74Slide 75IntermissionThe State of Webber PondUnderstanding the FactorsAffecting Water Quality in the Webber Pond WatershedColby Environmental Assessment TeamColby College Biology Dept.December 5, 2002Vassalboro Town OfficePART 1Presentation OverviewIntroductionWater Quality AnalysisLand Use Analysis- Intermission - GIS Analysis and ModelsFuture PredictionsRemediation MeasuresRecommendationsAn Introduction to the Study of Webber Pond Erin EsteyStudy ObjectivesMeasure Water Quality of Webber Pond:Physical parameters•DO, Temperature, Turbidity, ConductivityChemical parameters•Total phosphorus, Nitrates, Hardness, pH, AlkalinityCompare to historical data•DEP water sampling since 1972Members of CEAT performing water quality tests.Study Objectives•Calculate proportion of Webber Pond watershed covered by various land uses: -Road surveys-Residence counts-Buffer strip surveys-GIS land use map analysis-1997 aerial map-1956 aerial mapResidential development in the watershedStudy Objectives•Project the future condition of the Webber Pond watershed:- Create Models- Calculate Phosphorus Loading Model - Calculate population trends- Project future development - Recommend best remediation techniquesSeptic suitability modelCharacteristics of Maine Lakes•Important resources in Maine: Recreational, Economic values•Due to glaciations, many Maine lakes are oriented in a northeast to southwest directionQuickTime™ and aPhoto - JPEG decompressorare needed to see this picture.A Webber Pond SunsetLake StrataLake Turnover•Webber Pond is dimictic–Summer thermocline–Fall turnover–Winter stratification–Spring turnover•Turnover re-oxygenates the lake, recycles nutrientsTrophic Status of LakesCharacter Oligotrophic Eutrophic DystrophicBasin Shape narrow and deep broad and shallow small and shallowLake Shoreline stony weedy stony or peatyWater Transparency high low lowWater Color green or blue green or yellow brownDissolved SolidsLow, deficient in NHigh, especially in N and Calow, deficient in CaSuspended Solids low high lowOxygen highhigh at surface, deficient under ice, in thermoclineHighPhytoplanktonmany species, low numbersfew species, high numbersfew species, low numbersMacrophytesfew species, rarely abundant, but found in deep watermany species, abundant in shallow waterfew species, some abundant in shallow waterFishfew species (salmon and trout)many species, especially minnowsextremely few species, often noneNutrients•Webber Pond is eutrophic, which means that it is high in nutrients.•High nutrient levels (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) lead to large phytoplankton communities.•Increased productivity leads to increased sedimentation and aging of the lake.The process of sedimentation over time.Defining a Watershed•Total area contributing flow to a particular basin.•Defined as the highest points of land that surround it.Historical Perspective of the Webber Pond Watershed•1950’s - 1960’s large chicken farms.•Now small vegetable farms, orchard, golf course, lakeshore residences.•1972 Maine DEP began secchi disk sampling.•Current algal blooms are not as severe as those in 1960’s - 1970’s.•Reconstructed in 1986, it’s used to regulate water levels.•Benefits of stabilizing water levels:–Minimize shoreline erosion–Provide stable environment for flora/fauna–Allows for flushing of high-nutrient water•33 percent of the lake volume can be drawndown with damThe Webber Pond DamThe Webber Pond DamGeographical Perspective of the Webber Pond Watershed•Part of the Lower Kennebec River watershed •A heavily populated area•Webber Pond covers 1,238 acres•The Webber Pond watershed covers 5,292 acres•Webber Pond receives water from Threemile Pond, Threecornered Pond, Mud Pond Lower Kennebec River watershedBiological Perspective of the Webber Pond Watershed•Submerged aquatic plants around periphery•Nine species of native fish: American Eel, Fallfish, White Sucker, Brown Bullhead, Chain Pickerel, Banded Killfish, Red Breasted Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Yellow Perch•Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Perch were introduced but not actively stockedSmallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)Fish Stocking of Webber Pond•Brown Trout and Brook Trout have to be replaced due Webber Pond water quality.•Alewives are anadromous, movement blocked by dams•In the short-term, Alewives may deteriorate water quality•In long-term, Alewives may help water qualityBrook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis Sea-run Alewife Alosa pseudoharengusIntroduced Plants•11 species pose a threat to Maine lakes•Problematic because: –spread by fragments –grow rapidly –outcompete natives–hard to eradicate, control•Webber Pond is at a high risk because: –soft, shallow bottom–public access via boat rampEurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)Water ChemistrySerena VaydaSample Site Locations3 characterization sites7 spot sites4 tributary sitesWater Quality Assessment MethodologyInsert picture of boatSampling Dates:28-Jun-0212-Jul-0205-Aug-0212-Sep-0223-Sep-02Water Quality ParametersPhysical Measurements:•Dissolved Oxygen (DO)•Temperature•Transparency•Turbidity•Color•ConductivityChemical Measurements:•pH•Hardness•Alkalinity•Total Phosphorus•NitratesDissolved Oxygen (DO)QuickTime™ and aGraphics decompressorare needed to see this picture. 1312111098765432100 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Depth (m)Dissolved Oxygen