This chart indicates that most locations, on average, remained in ranges suitable for most fish and insects, with only South Pond and Montrose Harbor being lethal to most species (>25°C).
A secchi disk measures the turbidity of the water. Turbid water is caused by suspended and colloidal matter such as clay, silt, organic and inorganic matter, and microscopic organisms.
Diversey Harbor and the Lakefront had the least turbid water*, while the Lily Pool and North Pond had the most turbid water.
*Pickerelweed Pond is too shallow to obtain an accurate measurement
pH indicates the number of free hydrogen ions in the water. Water is dangerous when it is too alkaline (high) or acidic (low). Most aquatic life is adapted to specific pH levels and may die if the pH of the water changes even slightly.
The Lakefront, Montrose, North Pond, and South Pond are considered too alkaline to properly sustain aquatic wildlife.
Low levels of dissolved oxygen and high levels of ammonia/phosphate may indicate eutrophication, reducing the biodiversity of the water. By these measurements, we suspect the Lily Pool suffers from eutrophication. Pickerelweed Pond, with its high concentration of dissolved oxygen and lack of excess ammonia or phosphate, has relatively healthy water.
Another way to measure turbidity is through a turbidity tube. This method works well in areas where it is easy to obtain a sample of water.
Again, Diversey Harbor and the Lakefront had the least turbid water (over 60 cm), while North Pond had the most turbid water*.
*A turbidity measurement could not be obtained from South Pond.