Scott Williams, from Lake and Watershed Resource Management Associates in Turner, Maine, is the person who evaluates and documents Worthley Pond’s water quality every year. Bruce Paster, Certified Volunteer Lake Monitor and FWP member, provides Scott with monthly water clarity data (June-September) which is included in the 2023 Worthley Pond Water Quality Report. Per Scott, “The value of the work of trained volunteer lake monitors in assessing the health of Maine’s lakes cannot be overstated. It has been extremely helpful in the analysis of the condition of the lake in 2022.” THANK YOU, Bruce!!
Here are the historical metrics that have been measured since 2017:
The 2023 Worthley Pond Water Quality Report no longer provides a water quality rating like above (or below) average. Instead, it provides the following summary statements:
Page 2: Overall, Worthley Pond’s water clarity (Secchi transparency) was lower (less clear) than the historical average for the lake in 2023. Water clarity is an important indicator of water quality. Total phosphorus (TP), the key nutrient that limits algal growth was higher than the historical average, as was chlorophyll-a (CHL), which directly measures algal density. Water color was much higher than the historical average for Worthley Pond, which likely had a bearing on all three of the “trophic indicators” (Secchi, P, CHL).
Page 16: The extreme weather conditions that occurred during the spring and early summer appear to have had a negative effect on the water quality of Worthley Pond in 2023. Whether or not the conditions documented will persist into the coming year(s) will depend on the extent to which extreme weather continues to influence conditions in both the lake and its watershed. Worthley Pond water quality has fluctuated from year to year, as is common in many Maine lakes. Weather factors were very likely the drivers for the very high color levels measured in 2023. High color likely influenced the drop in water clarity. But the high (for Worthley) chlorophyll (algal density) measured bears watching in the future.
Climate warming is having a pronounced effect on Maine’s lakes. Worthley Pond is no exception to this. Watershed conservation measures will need to be “ramped up” in order to offset the potentially negative effects on the lake. Existing conservation measures should be inspected to insure that they have been able to withstand the effects of extreme weather.
Worthley Pond Water Quality Reports have been prepared and published since 2006. As you can see, water quality has been a key focus for the Association for many years! Note: Historical water quality reports are available upon request.