Algonquin Eco Watch Baseline Lake and Stream Water Quality/Quantity Update
By: Hugh Banks, Sir Sandford Fleming College

During the summer of 2001, Algonquin Eco Watch, in partnership with the Fish and Wildlife Program of Sir Sandford Fleming College, began a study to collect baseline information on the lakes and streams of watersheds flowing into Algonquin Park as well as selected lakes and streams inside the Park itself.
The following measurements were made at each lake sampling site: oxygen, pH (acidity), (electrical) conductivity and temperature profiles, Secchi (turbidity) and G.P.S. (Global Positioning System) readings, and integrated euphotic (light penetration) zone estimates of alkalinity, total phosphorus and Kjeldahl nitrogen. Total phosphorus and Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations were determined by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment Laboratory thanks to the co-operation of the Lake Partnership Program. Zooplankton were collected and counted in an attempt to determine if any of the species invading Ontario's waters (e.g. the spiny water flea) had reached Algonquin's lakes.
Over the course of the summer, sixty-two different lakes were sampled at least once. Fifteen of these lakes were sampled in each of May, June, July and August to look at the changes in the measured parameters over the summer months. Sampling was concentrated outside the western boundary of Algonquin Park in drainages that flow into the Park, in addition to waters within Algonquin Park, adjacent to the western half of the Highway 60 corridor.
Seven stream sites in the Amable Du Fond watershed were also sampled for such parameters as pH, conductivity, flow and thermal stability. Benthic macroinvertebrates were also collected and counted. Electroshockers and/or dip nets were used to establish a fish species inventory for each stream site.
Other than effects likely attributable to acid rain, most of the lakes sampled were sufficiently remote that they did not show any of the obvious changes in water quality that are often seen in lakes subject to excessive or irresponsible human development. Acid rain is likely still having some influence on the watersheds because there are examples of non-dystrophic lakes that still have unnaturally low pH and alkalinity values. An example of this is Wolf Lake (sometimes called Island Lake) in Ballantyne Township. Ph values decrease from 5.9 to 5.4 down the water column and the alkalinity is only 1 mg/L.
Another interesting observation involves the conductivity of the water in Found and Jake Lakes. The conductivity of Found Lake is approximately 5 times that of any of the other lakes in the study (excepting Jake Lake) and the conductivity of Jake Lake is more than 10 times the conductivity of any other lake in the study (excepting Found Lake). Conductivity is a measurement of dissolved ions in a lake. Found and Jake lakes are two small lakes bordering on Highway 60. It appears very likely that the road salt from the highway is having a significant effect on the water chemistry of these two lakes.
The small streams in the Amable du Fond watershed were not thermally stable, but fish inventories and macroinvertebrate populations indicated good water quality.
All in all we had an extremely successful sampling season in 2001. If sufficient funding assistance can be arranged, we hope to continue this project in 2002, with completion slated for 2003. We would like to thank the W. Garfield Weston Foundation, The McLean Foundation, Ontario Parks, The Ontario Ministry of the Environment Lake Partners Program, and the Friends of Algonquin Park, for their financial and logistical help with this project to date.

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