Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Training with the Mountain Lake Community Association

The Mountain Lake Community Association and Watershed Advisory Group is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization in Warren County, New Jersey. Increasing concerns regarding water quality conditions of Mountain Lake prompted the Liberty Township Committee to establish a Lake Study Group which was tasked to develop a long-term monitoring plan, analyze and synthesize data, and provide comprehensive lake and watershed management planning.

For this project, Princeton Hydro conducted a thorough review of the background data, logistical and equipment capabilities of the group, and developed a monitoring implementation plan for the 2021 growing season.

Following plan development, Princeton Hydro aquatic ecologists conducted a field-based volunteer training session which taught the volunteers how to collect in-situ, laboratory, and plankton data in addition to general field observations. Data handling, quality control, and analysis techniques were also reviewed with the group. This data is currently being used by the group to provide the scientific data necessary to diagnose potential lake problems and as an objective benchmark for the recommendation of management solutions.