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Cedar Lake monitoring points to nutrient-driven algae, not bacterial contamination
Summary
Presenters said Cedar Lake sampling shows recurring summer algal growth likely driven by nutrients (nitrogen/phosphorus) rather than bacteria; East Shore and partners will continue monitoring and work with local associations to identify sources.
East Shore Health District told the commission that Cedar Lake has recurring summer algal growth but, unlike the Farm River sites, bacterial testing to date meets guidance levels and the likely drivers are nutrients rather than bacterial contamination.
Sarah Esenter said early and ongoing sampling (work begun in 2025) shows bacterial averages below the freshwater guidance threshold and that recent measurements point toward nitrogen and phosphorus as contributors to increased algae. "This points more towards a nutrient cause," she said, noting potential local contributors such as a nearby golf course, a horse farm, a quarry and residential septic runoff.
East Shore said it is working with the Granite Bay Association and state agencies to further pinpoint nutrient sources and that work will continue through the season. The district noted that the lake was placed on a state list of waters not meeting criteria in 2004 and has remained under study, with prior nonchemical interventions (mechanical harvests) carried out in earlier years.
The commission’s role will be to assist where regulation or permitting is required for interventions and to coordinate with partners on remediation options if monitoring identifies actionable sources.
