Total P

Total Phosphorous 2007 to 2014

Pickerel Bay
Date	P, µg/L or ppb
May 27, 2007	10.7, 10.4
May 31, 2009	8.8, 7.3
May 21, 2012	5.4, 6.6

June 7, 2003	12.4, 15.0
June 8, 2008	8.5, 7.9

July 3, 2004	19.5, 17.7
July 19, 2006	25.0, 29.6
July 9, 2011	13.4, 12.2

Three Mile Bay
Date	P, µg/L or ppb
May 27, 2007	9.9, 10.2
May 31, 2009	9.0, 9.4
May 21, 2012	8.0, 7.2

June 23, 2002	14.4, 15.7
June 7, 2003	19.2, 19.6
June 8, 2008	9.6, 8.3

July 3, 2004	36.2, 33.1
July 19, 2006	63.8, 68.0
July 9, 2011	12.2, 12.8

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The phosphorous data presented above was collected by volunteers and processed by the Ontario Lake Partner Program. Details of the LPP can be found at www.desc.ca

Phosphorus is an important element to measure in natural water bodies because this element is closely linked to algal growth in our lakes. Higher concentrations of P results in higher algal growth which, in some cases, can result in the release of toxic compounds harmful to humans.

According to Lake Partners Program, many limnologists place lakes into three broad categories with respect to nutrient status. Lakes with less that 10 µg/L TP are considered oligotrophic. These are dilute, unproductive lakes that rarely experience nuisance algal blooms. Lakes with TP between 10 and 20 µg/L are termed mesotrophic and are in the middle with respect to trophic status. These lakes show a broad range of characteristics and can be clear and unproductive at the bottom end of the scale or susceptible to moderate algal blooms at concentrations near 20 µg/L. Lakes over 20 µg/L are classed as eutrophic and may exibit persistent, nuisance algal blooms.

General Interpretation of Phosphorus Results:

In the Lake Partner Program lakes on the Canadian Shield are sampled once a year in the spring during the time of maximum run-off and therefore of maximum phosphorus contribution to these lakes. Lakes that are off the Canadian Shield are sampled monthly because they are more likely to show increases in phosphorus levels towards late summer (e.g. Kawartha Lakes).

Historically White Lake has been sampled once a year, but not consistently in the spring. When the data are grouped by month collected, rather than by year, there seems to be a trend to increasing phosphorus levels in White Lake towards the late summer. Some of the phosphorus levels in July and August place the Lake firmly in the eutrophic category (lowest quality).

2014 Sampling Year
Site ID	Latitude	Longitude	Site Description	Date, 2014	TP1 ug/L	TP2 ug/L	Average TP1 and TP2 ug/L
1	451639	763103	Pickerel Bay	June 8	8.8	9.2	9.0
2	451540	763126	Three Mile Bay	June 8	9.8	9.2	9.5
3	451516	763522	Deep Spot, Sunset Bay	June, 8	10.4	10.2	10.3
4	451616	763320	Deep Spot, N. Hardwood I.	May 18	13.6	14.0	13.8
4	451616	763320	Deep Spot, N. Hardwood I.	June 16	13.6	14.8	14.2
4	451616	763320	Deep Spot, N. Hardwood I.	July 19	20.0	18.4	19.2
4	451616	763320	Deep Spot, N. Hardwood I.	August 24	22.6	19.6	21.1
4	451616	763320	Deep Spot, N. Hardwood I.	September 14	16.0	13.8	14.9
4	451616	763320	Deep Spot, N. Hardwood I.	October 12	9.8	10.0	9.9
5	452105	763045	North End, Deep Spot	June 7	11.0	11.8	11.4
5	452105	763045	North End, Deep Spot	August 23	13.4	13.0	13.2

Water Sampling Locations

For a graphical representation and interpretation of these results please click here