Androscoggin Lake
Through our water quality monitoring program, we collect extensive data to track the health of our lakes and ponds. We measure water clarity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, phosphorus and other indicators of water quality. This data helps us identify trends in declining water quality to address at-risk areas before it's too late.
Water Quality Reports:
Resources:
Note: This page updates throughout our monitoring season. Annual water quality reports will be available after the season is completed.
Androscoggin Lake Snapshot
- Town(s): Wayne/Leeds
- Acres: 4020 Acres
- Mean Depth: 15 feet
- Max Depth: 38 feet
- Public Boat Launch: Rt. 133 in Wayne
- Fishery: Androscoggin Lake fishing
- Lake Association: Androscoggin Lake Improvement Corporation
- Androscoggin Milfoil Project
- Androscoggin Algal Bloom 2021
- Androscoggin Lake Watershed Survey 2022
Secchi Depth
Secchi disk transparency (SDT) is an indicator of water clarity. To measure water clarity, a black and white disk is lowered into the water and the reading is taken at the depth at which it is no longer visible. Factors that affect water clarity include algal growth, zooplankton densities, natural water color, and suspended silt or sediment particles. For more information about temperature and dissolved oxygen in lakes and why this information is important, see our water quality monitoring page for more information.
Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen
These readings are obtained as an electronic sensor measures temperature (in degrees Celsius) and dissolved oxygen (in mg/L or ppm) as it is lowered at one meter intervals starting at the surface of the lake. After 15 meters readings are taken every other meter. For more information about temperature and dissolved oxygen in lakes and why this information is important, see our water quality monitoring page for more information.
2024 Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen readings:
2023 Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen readings:
Phosphorus Profile Grab Samples
As part of our advanced water quality data collection on Androscoggin Lake as a response to the recent algal blooms, phosphorus profile grab samples are collected approximately every month. By collecting this data, we can measure the volume- weighted mass of phosphorus in the lake and provide an estimate of how much phosphorus is being internally loaded from bottom sediments each year.
Phosphorus is the nutrient that most influences the growth of algae in lakes. Because its natural occurrence in lakes is very small, phosphorus “limits” the growth of algae in lake ecosystems. Even small increases in phosphorus in lake water can cause substantial increases in algal growth, which hinders not only the overall health of the lake system, but also the economic, recreational, and aesthetic values. Generally speaking, in lake phosphorus concentrations less than 10 ppb are ideal. Lakes with in-lake phosphorus concentrations of ~13 ppb or more are known to sustain algal blooms, and blooms become frequent as average concentrations approach 20 ppb.
Grabs are taken every other meter down through the water column.
