Algae Bloom Affects Lake Pocotopaug, Council Reviewing Report

Last week the East Hampton Conservation and Lake Commission is reviewing a report on an action plan to improve the health of Lake Pocotopoaug just as the recent heat wave saw a resurgence in algae bloom in the lake.

The 39-page report by George Knoecklein of Northeast Aquatic Research, was presented to the East Hampton Town Council Tuesday. The purpose of the report was to review and interpret water quality data collected from the lake over the past several years to help the town develop a plan to improve the water quality of the lake.

Lake Pocotopaug is the largest inland water body in the state, but has been continuously plagued by algae blooms over the last several years.

The action plan in the document advised reviving the volunteer Ad Hoc Lake Advisory, which conducted research into the lake in the mid 1990s. The document also recommends improving storm water management around the lake, as well as tracking previous reports to see whether any recommendations had been implemented.

In 1999, the lake was involved in a major fish kill linked to a toxic algae.