NH Lake and Pond Quality

Chemical and physical aspects of a lake, and the biological cycles and components of a lake play an important role in determining water quality. Food chains directly affect the fisheries and wildlife capacity of a lake. The type and abundance of plants and algae can and do affect the planned uses of a lake. Monitoring biological components is important to understanding and managing New Hampshire’s beautiful lakes.

COLOR (Water Clarity): Clear 0-25 / Light Tea-Color 25-40 / Tea Color 40-75

PLANTS Sparse growth SG few emergent plants, Scattered SP small patches or shoreline growth, Common plants CP around the shoreline, abundant AG shoreline growth with thick surface patches visible, very abundant VG 1/2 the surface area covered

TROPHIC CLASS is a designation of a lake or pond according to algae production, rooted plant growth, water clarity and bottom dissolved oxygen levels

OLIGO – Minimal Support for algal blooms or rooted plant growth. Number of lakes: 31%, Area of Lakes: 70%
MESO – Moderate Support, Number of lakes: 45%, Area of Lakes: 24%
EUTRO – High Support, Number of lakes: 24%, Area of Lakes: 6%