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Watershed Committee hears staff report of rising phosphorus and falling dissolved oxygen in Chesterfield lake
Summary
At the Sept. 19 meeting the Watershed Committee was told Total Phosphorus readings have climbed year-over-year, with new high readings at the outlet, and dissolved-oxygen levels are falling earlier and at shallower depths; the committee asked staff to study sediment sampling and seek 2025 budget funds (costs not specified).
At its Sept. 19 meeting, the Town of Chesterfield Watershed Committee heard a water-quality update from staff member Chris who said Total Phosphorus has risen year over year and that the committee is now seeing high phosphorus readings in the lake outlet.
Chris reported that low flow compromised some July samples and produced inconclusive results for that month, and that some August readings for the deep spot were also inconclusive. He said dissolved-oxygen measurements are showing a downward trend — occurring earlier in the season and at shallower depths than in previous years — which committee members identified as a concern for the lake’s ecology.
Committee members noted the Shoreline/Lake association (referred to as “SLA” in the transcript) discussed the results at length. The Watershed Committee agreed the next step is to identify which lake areas need sediment sampling to measure internal phosphorus loading. Members directed staff to research the cost of sediment sampling so a funding request can be included in the committee’s 2025 budget proposal; the transcript does not specify a cost estimate.
The committee did not record a formal decision on remediation or sampling sites at the meeting; members framed the work as research and budget planning to be completed over the coming year. The committee will revisit the issue after staff return with cost estimates and sampling-area recommendations.
