Newton Tab Op-Ed (August 1, 2011) from Janice Bourque, Crystal Lake Conservancy
The Crystal Lake Conservancy was interested to learn of the recent lake-water testsfor bacteria levels in Levingston Cove. Many people have asked whether this is part of the research and water sampling work that our organization previously had indicated (TAB May 16) it would be undertaking this summer. It is not.
The Crystal Lake Conservancy has been working with environmental experts this year so that we can initiate a scientifically sound and rigorous analysis of the entire lake. Our work and mission are broad in scope and encompass the whole of Crystal Lake rather than any particular section. Our overall objective is to preserve and to protect Crystal Lake for the benefit of the public by promoting and enhancing the unique natural beauty and recreational enjoyment of the Lake.
We have initiated a yearlong study of the lake that began last summer and continues into this season. Our research includes three major areas of study: water testing/monitoring, water sampling, and a watershed survey. As we conduct and complete our work, we will also develop a watershed educational program. Our research is three-fold:
1. Water Testing/Monitoring Program:
Many volunteers from the community are continuing the water testing/monitoring program that we began last spring (2010) with weekly temperature and visibility readings at 6 different sites around Crystal Lake at 3 different depths.
2. Water Sampling
After much research and consultation with the MA State Limnologist, our consultant Beals Associates and the City’s agencies and environmental engineer, we have determined that a comprehensive water sampling study of Crystal Lake should include evaluations of bacterial analysis and counts (E. coli and Enterococcus); herbicides and pesticides; fertilizer components such as nitrate, ammonia and phosphorus along with chlorophyll A (algae) and a few heavy metals. We will also measure dissolved oxygen levels, as this is likely of importance for wildlife and vegetation at various stratification levels in the lake.
3.Watershed Survey:
Neighbors and other volunteers from the local area currently are assisting us in conducting a ground survey of the Crystal Lake watershed. We are doing this to assess potential sources of poor water quality that may result from storm-water systems, run off, impervious surfaces and land uses.
Our lake water sampling will begin in the next two weeks and will continue through October at multiple locations around the entire lake. We will be testing the outfall areas (where storm drains empty into the lake), which our consultants have advised us are the most likely sources of pollution in the lake. We will obtain deepwater samples from the middle of the lake, as well as samples from the bathhouse bathing area, along the railroad bed, Levingston and Cronin’s Coves, Lake Terrace, and the Norwood Avenue condominiums. We will be analyzing results both before and after major storms to assess how the large amounts of storm drainage runoff that spill into the lake affects the water quality.
We plan to present our data and analysis during the Crystal Lake Conservancy’s annual meeting that will be held on Monday, October 24, at the Newton Free Library.
It is important to remember that Crystal Lake’s only source of water is from rain and runoff. It is a kettle pond and is not spring fed. The intent of our work is first to evaluate the current actual health of the lake and then to determine what actions need to be taken to reduce or remove some of the adverse pressures placed on our valuable local natural resource.
Good scientific data is based on methodical and repetitive work. It is also important that the data be understood within a context so that we can react appropriately to the information. We applaud all of the efforts undertaken by the City and our friends and neighbors in the community to ensure the lake is healthy and strong.
We will continue to work with the community, the City, and our consultant experts so we can all better understand issues that may affect the lake and what needs to be done to help ensure that Crystal Lake is healthy for all our enjoyment in the years to come.
As Henry David Thoreau said:
A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature
Please follow our work by visiting our website at www.CrystalLakeConservancy.org.
Janice Bourque
Co-President
Crystal Lake Conservancy
The Crystal Lake Conservancy has been working with environmental experts this year so that we can initiate a scientifically sound and rigorous analysis of the entire lake. Our work and mission are broad in scope and encompass the whole of Crystal Lake rather than any particular section. Our overall objective is to preserve and to protect Crystal Lake for the benefit of the public by promoting and enhancing the unique natural beauty and recreational enjoyment of the Lake.
We have initiated a yearlong study of the lake that began last summer and continues into this season. Our research includes three major areas of study: water testing/monitoring, water sampling, and a watershed survey. As we conduct and complete our work, we will also develop a watershed educational program. Our research is three-fold:
1. Water Testing/Monitoring Program:
Many volunteers from the community are continuing the water testing/monitoring program that we began last spring (2010) with weekly temperature and visibility readings at 6 different sites around Crystal Lake at 3 different depths.
2. Water Sampling
After much research and consultation with the MA State Limnologist, our consultant Beals Associates and the City’s agencies and environmental engineer, we have determined that a comprehensive water sampling study of Crystal Lake should include evaluations of bacterial analysis and counts (E. coli and Enterococcus); herbicides and pesticides; fertilizer components such as nitrate, ammonia and phosphorus along with chlorophyll A (algae) and a few heavy metals. We will also measure dissolved oxygen levels, as this is likely of importance for wildlife and vegetation at various stratification levels in the lake.
3.Watershed Survey:
Neighbors and other volunteers from the local area currently are assisting us in conducting a ground survey of the Crystal Lake watershed. We are doing this to assess potential sources of poor water quality that may result from storm-water systems, run off, impervious surfaces and land uses.
Our lake water sampling will begin in the next two weeks and will continue through October at multiple locations around the entire lake. We will be testing the outfall areas (where storm drains empty into the lake), which our consultants have advised us are the most likely sources of pollution in the lake. We will obtain deepwater samples from the middle of the lake, as well as samples from the bathhouse bathing area, along the railroad bed, Levingston and Cronin’s Coves, Lake Terrace, and the Norwood Avenue condominiums. We will be analyzing results both before and after major storms to assess how the large amounts of storm drainage runoff that spill into the lake affects the water quality.
We plan to present our data and analysis during the Crystal Lake Conservancy’s annual meeting that will be held on Monday, October 24, at the Newton Free Library.
It is important to remember that Crystal Lake’s only source of water is from rain and runoff. It is a kettle pond and is not spring fed. The intent of our work is first to evaluate the current actual health of the lake and then to determine what actions need to be taken to reduce or remove some of the adverse pressures placed on our valuable local natural resource.
Good scientific data is based on methodical and repetitive work. It is also important that the data be understood within a context so that we can react appropriately to the information. We applaud all of the efforts undertaken by the City and our friends and neighbors in the community to ensure the lake is healthy and strong.
We will continue to work with the community, the City, and our consultant experts so we can all better understand issues that may affect the lake and what needs to be done to help ensure that Crystal Lake is healthy for all our enjoyment in the years to come.
As Henry David Thoreau said:
A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature
Please follow our work by visiting our website at www.CrystalLakeConservancy.org.
Janice Bourque
Co-President
Crystal Lake Conservancy