Schroon Lake (North Basin) Questions and Answers, 2015 CSLAP
Q1. What is the condition of our lake this year?
A1. The condition of Schroon Lake appeared to be close to normal in 2015. Algae levels were slightly lower than
normal, but nutrient levels and water clarity were close to normal, and recreational assessments were slightly more
favorable than usual. No shoreline blue green algae blooms were reported.
Q2. Is there anything new that showed up in the testing this year?
A2. Chloride testing results were typical of lakes with low impacts from road salt runoff, and no biological impacts
were measured or reported.
Q3. How does the condition of our lake this year compare with other lakes in the area?
A3. Schroon Lake had similar water clarity, but slightly lower algae and nutrient levels, than other nearby lakes. It is
not known if aquatic plant coverage was similar to the plant coverage in many of these lakes, most likely due to
highly variable conditions across much of the lake.
Q4. Are there any trends in our lake’s condition?
A4. Nutrient levels are slightly higher now than in the mid-2000s. Surface and bottom water temperatures have
increased slightly since the late 2000s. Recreational assessments have improved slightly, consistent with slightly
improved water quality assessments and lower algae levels.
Q5. Should we be concerned about the condition of our lake? Are we close to a tipping point?
A5. The CSLAP data indicates a low susceptibility to shoreline algae blooms, but the lake may be susceptible to
increases in nutrient loading to the lake, which would increase baseline algae levels (and an apparent bloom was
reported in the south basin in2015).
Q6. Are any actions indicated, based on the trends and this year’s results?
A6. Individual stewardship activities such as pumping your septic system, growing a buffer of native plants next to
the water bodies, and reducing erosion from shoreline properties will help to improve lake conditions by reducing
nutrient and sediment loading to the lake. Visiting boats should be inspected to reduce the risk of new invasive
species, since nearby lakes harbor several invasive plants not found in the lake.
Lake Use
Potable Water
Swimming
Supported / Good
Recreation
Threatened / Fair
Stressed / Poor
Aquatic Life
Impaired
Aesthetics
Not Known
Habitat
Fish
Consumption
PWL
Average Year
2015
Primary issue