Indian Lake’s water ranks high in survey

By PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI
The Tribune-Democrat

INDIAN LAKE May 09, 2009 11:56 pm

— The quality of Indian Lake’s water is among the best of any lake in Pennsylvania, according to a report released by the state Department of Environmental Protection.
The 2007 Trophic State Index Surveys measured the amount of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorous in the water.
Too much means severe weed growth and too little means fish die because of lack of oxygen, Borough Council President Michael Miscoe said.
The report summary said: “Indian Lake is one of the best-scoring lakes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
The report was welcome news to borough officials.
“It tells us we’re on the right track,” Miscoe said. “It’s good for fishermen, recreational boaters and people who live out here.”
The study funded by the DEP was released to borough officials two weeks ago.
A DEP spokesman was not available last week to elaborate on the 30-page study, which also included Lake Stonycreek.
“What the survey means is there is a very limited amount of nutrients in the water, and the phosphorus level is normal,” Indian Lake Mayor Barry Lichty said.
The survey is part of DEP’s ongoing study of water quality in Pennsylvania lakes, he said.
Borough officials credit the good report to monitoring on-lot septic systems. About 120 on-lot systems are checked each year by a sewage inspection officer, and home owners must have the septic systems pumped regulary.
Most of the 600 dwellings in the borough have septic systems, the mayor said.
“We’re very, very careful to prevent any pollution from on-lot systems from getting into the lake,” Lichty said.
The report also shows that construction in the borough – including eight to 10 homes built each year – has not impacted water quality, he said.