2007 LAKE SURVEY

To our members re: Lake Water Quality - We are very happy to report that the water quality of Paupackan Lake is excellent. The full 6-page assessment from Aquatic Environment Consultants, Inc. is available in the office for all members to see. A.E.C. visited our lake several times this year, and water samples for the full survey analysis were taken on August 27, 2007.

Aquatic Vegetation Results: Aquatic vegetation has many important biological functions in a lake. It provides habitat for fish and other aquatic invertebrates. It helps to cycle nutrients and produce the oxygen that is necessary for life in the lake. Several problem species were collected including bladderwort, big leaf pondweed, and cabomba. During 2007, a full lake treatment was conducted using the herbicide Sonar; with cabomba being the primary target. We are happy to report a desirable response. The other species are also being controlled.

Water Quality Results: The parameters that were tested during the survey indicate that there is good water quality for fish production and other recreational activities. Alkalinity is 18.0 mg/liter, slightly below the desired 20 mg/l, which might cause the pounds per acre of fish to be less than that of lakes with higher growths of plankton for fish forage. The pH of our lake is 7.3, which is in the desirable range for fish production. Our secchi disk reading (transparency or clarity) was 3.3 meters and indicates good water clarity and acceptable levels of algae. Fecal coliform samples at different areas of the beach had a reading of less than 1 per 100 ml., well within the safe limits for bathing beaches. (DEP states that a beach is not suitable for swimming when any one sample exceeds 1,000 per 100 ml., or exceeds an average of 200 per 100 ml. for 5 samples over a 30-day period.) We are obviously well below any unsafe levels. Good dissolved oxygen levels were maintained, and the overall temperature of the lake was good.

Conclusion: Paupackan Lake is a valuable aquatic resource that with proper management can continue to produce exceptional recreational opportunities for years to come. As with any lake, we must be concerned about accumulation of nutrients in the water body. Therefore, residents living close to the shore must have their septic tanks pumped out regularly.