Cyanos Activity Sept 13

Reconsider activities and limit exposure to the water.

Disclaimer: The information presented below reflects conditions throughout the lake and may differ from conditions on specific shorelines. For information regarding beach closings please contact the Torrington Area Health District or local town officials.

Water clarity at both Center Lake and North Bay declined to 1.85 meters. Water clarity decreased across the whole lake uniformly, with values ranging from a low of 1.75 meters to high of 2.05 meters.  Of the 15 stations visited, 11 had clarity values of <2m.  Cyanobacteria cell numbers increased at both stations with Aphanizomenon dominant and probably responsible for the poor clarity.  Higher numbers of cyanobacteria in North Bay was due to colonies of tiny cells that may be too small to cause further declines in clarity.  Slicks (dense masses of algae floating on the lake in open water) were noted in the center of the lake and towards South Bay, scums (dense wind-rows of algae collecting along the shore) were noted at north shore sites particularly (Keeler Cove and Litchfield Boat Ramp) but neither was serious at time of our observation.  Dissolved oxygen saturation values were very high at 123% to131% (see graph at end of report) indication that plankton are actively growing meaning that water clarity is very likely to continue to decline in the days and weeks ahead, especially if water temperatures continue to remain warm—there was slight warming of lake water since last visit.  Both slicks and scums are likely to get worse in the days and weeks ahead.  No anoxic water was found anywhere in the lake. 

Bantam Lake, CT 2017 Cyanobacteria Cell Count and CT DPH 2017 Recreational Waters Category Guidelines (Green = Safe, Yellow = Caution, Red = Posted Advisory)

 

Bantam Lake, CT 2017 Secchi Depth

Data is collected and analyzed by Northeast Aquatic Research, who is contracted by Bantam Lake Protective Association.