The link below is for the Maine Department of Environmental Protection web site. Each season we see an increase in algae in our lake that sometime appear similar to balls of cotton candy or just very small, suspended particles. This article reviews the concerns about cyanobacteria (formerly known as blue-green algae). Our Volunteer Lake Monitor, Steve Triggs, periodically measures the clarity of the lake water using a Secchi Disk. As algae concentrations increase, the clarity decreases and the Secchi Disk reading decreases. The article talks about performing a “jar test” to help determine if the algae concentration is of concern. I tried this recently and found the water to be clear, but you might want to try it yourself.

Cyanobacteria, aka blue-green algae, Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Recently we again have seen a large amount of grass floating on the surface of the lake and washing ashore in large clumps. We also saw this several years ago and it is unrelated to the milfoil removal done in early July. You may gather and compost the grass, if it is a problem on your shoreline, the same as you would collect the milfoil that may float ashore.

Recent web-entered water clarity (Secchi) readings for Collins Pond               

Date (Newest first)		Station		Secchi Depth [m]		Remarks		Volunteer
08/03/2022		1		2.60				Steve Triggs
09/20/2021		1		5.40				Steve Triggs
08/04/2021		1		5.15		Bright & Cloudy – Depth at Station 1 = 5.6m		Steve Triggs
07/22/2021		1		4.75				Steve Triggs
09/27/2020		1		2.65				Steve Triggs
08/31/2020		1		2.35		Bright and Sunny		Steve Triggs
08/08/2020		1		4.20		Cloudy skies		Steve Triggs
07/12/2020		1		3.84		Bright, but breezy conditions		Steve Triggs
06/28/2020		1		5.12		1128 – Partly Cloudy		Steve Triggs
06/21/2020		1		5.40				Steve Triggs
09/21/2019		1		5.25				Steve Triggs
08/28/2019		1		4.60				Steve Triggs
08/03/2019		1		4.40		scg entered		Steve Triggs