|
|
|
*The most prominent and
visible water quality issues in Maine lakes come as a result of algal blooms.
|
|
*Blooms often occur as the
result of increased nutrients, specifically phosphorus and may result in: green-colored
and bad-tasting water, reduced transparency,
a build up of scum, and foul odors
|
|
*Repeated algal blooms can
result in fish kills and loss of the coldwater fishery.
|
|
*Water quality has become a
relevant factor in the consideration of lakes by visitors and homeowners, and
produces a significant influence on the economy and population of lake
communities
|
|
*Togus Pond is included on
Maine Department of Environmental ProtectionÕs list of 38 Maine lakes that
commonly bloom; and is one of 13 commonly blooming lakes located in Kennebec
County.
|
|
*Togus Pond is also listed as one of the Òmost at
riskÓ lakes in Maine in terms of potential development.
|
|
*Long time residents of the
Togus Pond area have reported that summer algal blooms commonly occurred in
the lake as early as the 1920Õs and frequent blooming has continued
throughout the past several decades
|
|
*In response to the frequent
algal blooms experienced by Togus Pond, various remediation techniques have
been attempted since the late 1930Õs such as copper sulfate treatments and
hypolimnetic aeration with little long-term success.
|
|
*pictures
|
