The continuation of excellent water quality in the lake is due to the largely undisturbed watershed which consists primarily of forest and secondarily of low-density residential. The lack of abundant macrophytes is associated with the management of the lake through the use of sterile grass carp. Annual monitoring of the lake, following the lake rules and procedures to protect the lake like forbidding boats used in other lakes unless cleaned, should be continued.  The Princeton Hydro Report recommended several areas where individual residents can make a difference.  They include Septic field maintenance, shoreline buffers, fertilzier management, winter salt managment, and stormwater management.  These recommendations can be found under the menu “Environment”, then “Water Quality” or by clinking here.

The data collected from this event showed the lake to exhibit low to moderate phosphorus concentrations and moderate nitrates. Clarity was lower than most historic values, due to heavy rainfall prior to sampling. This rainfall caused an increase in available nutrients allowing for increased phytoplankton growth. The algal community was diverse and dominated by Euglenophytes. Various cyanobacteria were also common during this event. Even though higher densities of blue-greens were observed, cyanotoxin testing showed that cyanotoxins were not present during this event. The plant community remains virtually unchanged from years past and densities were very low.