WATER QUALITY STUDY AT MIKE’S LAKE, A CATCH AND RELEASE POND IN WYALUSING (BRADFORD COUNTY), PA

We investigated a large catch and release pond (thirteen surface samples), a smaller algae-covered pond (one surface sample), and groundwater from a sixty foot well (one sample) at Mike’s Guide Service, located in Wyalusing, Bradford County, PA. All sites lie within the Catskill formation which consists of sandstone, siltstone, and shale. Samples from the large pond showed high pH values, ranging from 9.26 to 9.77, and a number of them even exhibited carbonate alkalinity, often rare in surface ponds in this area, particularly in these rock types. These high values were found in neither the small pond nor the well located next to Mike’s house. In-situ analyses of the sites included pH, conductivity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen. At the field site, turbidity was measured on non-filtered samples, while alkalinity and acidity were measured on filtered samples. Concentrations of anions and simple cations were determined using ion chromatography during laboratory analyses. As expected, the anions and cations detected were highest in the groundwater correlating with a much higher conductivity. Conductivity was higher in the water of the catch and release pond than in the smaller pond, with sodium, potassium and calcium ion concentrations being higher in the catch and release pond, and fluoride and sulfate ion concentrations being higher in the small pond. Metal analyses are still in process and Teledyne-willing, will be reported at the meeting.