Adopt-A-Lake Program
Founded in 1998, the Lake Lanier Association (LLA) sponsors the Adopt A Lake program in partnership with the Georgia Lakes Society and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
This hands-on program teaches its participants to monitor water quality by taking water samples from specific locations on the lake. The program gives a basic knowledge of watershed assessment and teaches volunteers to measure various parameters that help aid lake health and water quality.
The Lake Lanier Association’s Adopt A Lake program currently has 16 volunteers who take water samples at 28 locations on Lake Lanier. Based on the lake’s hydrology action, for testing purposes it is divided into 3 sections. Water samples are analyzed by American Proteins’ laboratories in Cumming for chlorophyll a.
Chlorophyll a is used as an indicator of phytoplanton abundance which is related to natural cycles in nutrient availability and to the input of phosphate and nitrate. Excess phosphate and nitrate can come from groundwater or water treatments plants and sewer overflows (most sewage treatment plants do not remove nitrate and phosphate).
August 2009 Lake Lanier Index
Our average temperature in August was 84 a 2 degree increase from July. The range was 81 in the central Lake to 90 in the north shallow areas off docks. Our Secchi readings increased 1.3 feet, averaging 8.8 feet from 7.5feet last month. The A area average decreased from 5.5 feet to 4.8 feet, B decreased to 9.8 from 10.7 feet and C increased to 13.3 from 9.8 feet. The range in clarity was 3.6 feet to 14 feet near Cocktail Cove. The chlorophyll a readings continued very low.
Our Lake Lanier Index will stay at 7+ with the continued high clarity.
Adopt-A-Lake divides Lake Lanier into three sections “A” north of Brown’s Bridge, “B” center section south to a line from Six Mile Creek over to Aqualand Marina, and “C” south to the dam. We have 30 stations that volunteers test every month. Secchi readings are taken by lowering a weighted disk into the water to measure the distance it can be seen and thus gives a gauge of clarity. Chlorophyll a is used to determine nutrients in the Lake.
The Lake Lanier Index is only a measure of nutrients and clarity and not of water safety.
Thanks to our wonderful Adopt-A-Lake volunteers, AMPRO Labs for our chlorophyll a tests, and the support of all Lake Lanier Association members.
Founded in 1966, the Lake Lanier Association is the oldest volunteer group working to protect the high water quality as well as the Lake Lanier water levels and to preserve its valuable legacy for future generations.
