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Commission flags tenfold phosphorus spike in Lake Runnemede testing
Summary
Paradise Park Commission reviewed last year’s water tests showing a roughly tenfold increase in phosphorus in one sample, a sign of episodic algae blooms that risk oxygen depletion; Commissioner Jim Bennett will meet with State Lake staff to discuss monitoring and response options.
The Paradise Park Commission discussed unusually high phosphorus readings in Lake Runnemede during its Jan. 15, 2026 meeting, noting one sample showed about a tenfold increase over typical readings. The minutes state the spike indicates episodic algae blooms that can cause rapid changes in oxygen levels and raise the risk of fish and animal die-offs.
Commission member Jim Bennett reported he has been working with state officials on the issue and will arrange a meeting with State Lake staff to explore next steps. Options described in the minutes include establishing a new monitoring plan either using the state laboratory, contracting an independent testing company paid for by the Commission, or relying on volunteer/home-lab testing. The commission also discussed a possible membership in the Federation of Lakes and Ponds to support monitoring and best practices.
The minutes say the high phosphorus appears to be internal to the lake’s benthic and biotic storage rather than from an obvious point-source discharge from neighboring homes or agricultural lands, but commissioners noted a slow increase could still be tied to human uses. The record states algae-driven turbidity increases have been observed and that eutrophication events are temperature-controlled and typically occur in July and August. No formal mitigation plan or funding decision was recorded at the meeting.
