Evaluation of Pond Water Quality

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Evaluation of Pond Water Quality

• Sarah Kostick

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Potential Problem

• High levels of phosphorus in pond environments
  can cause excessive algae blooms which result in
  lowered dissolved oxygen levels and very green
  ponds (eutrophication)

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Goals

• Determine current levels of phosphorus and
  nitrates in the Prairie, Iris, Waterfall and
  Green Heron Ponds
• Look at historical levels in the Iris and
  Waterfall Ponds
• Determine future plan of action

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Predictions

• All ponds will have high levels of phosphorus
• Highest levels will be in the Prairie pond

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Results/Conclusion
Location Phosphorus (total) ppm Nitrate ppm Nitrite (ppm) pH
Iris Pond 0.36 lt0.02 lt0.02 7.363
Waterfall Pond 0.32 lt0.02 lt0.02 8.34
Prairie Pond 0.47 lt0.02 lt0.02 6.525
Green Heron Pond 0.28 lt0.02 lt0.02 7.807
Lake Minnewashta in 2011 was at .021 ppm (21
ppb) Critical Eutrophication Value is 0.06 ppm
(60 ppb)
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Recommendations

• Soil samples of flower beds, gardens and turf
  grass near ponds should be taken
• Only yard waste and ammonium composts as well as
  non phosphorus fertilizers should continued to be
  applied
• More shoreline buffers should be added at the
  Prairie pond to prevent sediment runoff
• Pond samples should be taken regularly
• Phosphorus reducing, water clearing products such
  as Bio Boost Phosphate Cleanser available at
  Aquatic Biologists Inc. could be researched

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Questions?
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Works Cited

• Aquatic Biologists, Inc. Bio Boost Phosphate
  Remover. 2013. Web. http//store.aquaticbiologist
  s.com/bio-boost-phosphate-cleanser-bbpc/
• Environmental Indicators Initiative. "Indicator
  Factsheet Sustaining Minnesota's Lakes
  Phosphorus Concentration." (n.d.) n. pag. Print.
  
• Metropolitan Council. "2011 Study of the Water
  Quality of 169 Metropolitan Area Lakes."
  Metropolitan Council, 2011. Web.
  lthttp//www.metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Publ
  ications-And-Resources/2011-Study-of-the-Water-Qua
  lity-of-169-Metropolita.aspxgt.
• Miller, Dan. Assesment of Compost and
  Fertilization Practices at the Minnesota
  Landscape Arboretum. Reviewers. Carl Rosen, Les
  Everett, and Mary Meyer. N.p., 2008. Web.
• "Water Quality Nutrients in Aquatic
  Environments Phosphorus (indicator Status
  Agreed)." (n.d.)