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 an indicator of the levels of phosphate and nitrate in the water.  Excessive levels can increase eutrophication and produce algae blooms. Excess phosphate and nitrate most often come from runoff, particularly agricultural  and residential fertilizer, and from sewer overflows.

April 2010 Lake Lanier Index

The water temperature increased significantly from 46 in March to 59, shallower areas off docks rose to the mid 60s.   Our Secchi readings ranged from 2.9 feet north of the Rowing Venue to 9.4 feet in the deeper areas of the center and south Lake.  Our A area averaged 4.5 feet only slightly less than the 4.6 in March, B average increased from 6.8 in March to 7.4 and C had a decrease from 10.1 to 8.1 feet.   The Lake average decreased from 6.5 feet to 6.1.  The chlorophyll a readings continued low.

We will leave the LLI at 7 with only a small change in our Secchi readings and chlorophyll readings.

Adopt-A-Lake divides Lake Lanier into three sections “A” north of Brown’s Bridge, “B” the center region south of the Bridge to a line from Six Mile Creek east to Aqualand Marina, and “C” south of this line to Buford Dam.  We have 30 stations that volunteer test the first weekend every month.  Secchi readings are taken by lowering a weighted disk into the water and measuring the distance it can be seen thus giving 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 analysis, and the support of all Lake Lanier Association members.