In 2021, the Lake Hopatcong Foundation and the Lake Hopatcong Commission partnered with the Musconetcong Watershed Association (MWA) to conduct volunteer HAB monitoring in the Musconetcong River Watershed. The monitoring was executed through the MWA's River Watcher program, a citizen science water quality monitoring program. The Commission and Foundation coordinated volunteer activities to monitor 16 sites on Lake Hopatcong from June through September, with one dedicated volunteer continuing to monitor from their Byram Cove dock until the lake freezes over.

 

Volunteers were provided with a Turner Fluorosense handheld fluorometer, thermometer, Secchi disk, data recording sheet, and other supplies to document their findings. The data from the 319 times the volunteers monitored, was shared with the MWA. In addition, when the Fluorosense meter readings consistently registered at the determined threshold of 11 or above, volunteers also reported a potential HAB to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). It is important to note that fluorometers measure pigment in the water and can be used as a tool to help detect possible HABs, however, higher readings are not a definitive indication of a HAB. Additional testing is required to see if a HAB is present.

 

The MWA presented a report on the HAB monitoring project to the Musconetcong River Management Council in December. A video of the presentation can be viewed below.