Dissolved oxygen is the parameter most often selected by lake water quality scientists as being important. Besides providing oxygen for aquatic organisms, dissolved oxygen is involved in phenomena such as phosphorus precipitation and release from the lake bottom sediments and decomposition of organic material in the lake.

Total Phosphorous:

A measure of phosphorous concentrations available as food for weeds and algea. A Total Phosphorous level of 10 micrograms per liter (ug/l) is consider low and 50 ug/l is high. Phosphorous is important as it had been found to be the nutrient that most often controls the growth of weeds and algea. High phoshorous leads to lots of weed and algea problems.

The graph to the right provides an analysis of the primary sources of Phosphorous entering the lake. The good news is that as residents we can have a major impact on the amount of phosphorous entering the lake through septic system maintenance or conversion to sewer and through reduction/elimination of lawn and garden fertilizers and drain control ("urban" on the graph)

Nitrates/Nitrogen:

A measure of the nitrogen (most often in the form of nitrates) available as food for weeds and algea. Nitrogen is the second most important nutrient source for aquatic plants.

Alkalinity:

A measure of the amount of carbonates and bicarbonates in the lake. Alkalinity is an indication of how hard or soft the water is in the lake. In general, hard water lakes are more resistant as they have the ability to precipitate some of the phosphorous to the bottom sediments making it unavailable for weed and algea growth.

Conductivity:

A measure of the the concentration of salts in the lake. This is typically not a big concern unless there is an issue of road salts washing into the lake.