The Water Drop and Lake Monitor | |
A Ferrum College & Smith Mountain Lake Association Newsletter | |
Ferrum College Water Quality Monitoring Program team members head out to collect water samples on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. | |
|
This year marks the 38th year of water quality monitoring at Smith Mountain Lake.
We are excited to be working with each of our monitors this summer and want to say a special thank you for the volunteer time you put in. We would not be able to do what we do in the lab without your help of collecting samples. This year we have 34 different monitors with over 50 different sample sites. Without your help we would not nearly have as much data as we do. We are grateful for everyone’s participation this summer as it plays a big role in monitoring the lake. We continue to study and monitor the lake with a shared interested in health and clean water for not only ourselves but for future generations. To stay up to date with the water quality as summer progresses feel free to check out the Water Quality Monitoring page on the Smith Mountain Lake Association website that has up-to-date gauges. Click this link to access the gauges.
We began our sampling season at the start of May with two weeks of training and collecting the first rounds of samples from the lake and tributaries.
What will we be doing with all this data that is collected over the summer and why is it important? For starters, the Secchi disc reading helps determine the turbidity of the water (is the lake water clear and easy to see through or is it murky and hard to see). This will help us know if there is an increase in algae and sediments in the water. The coliform and E-coli bacteria are analyzed to understand if the water is safe to swim in or fish from. We also look at chlorophyll-A to monitor the algae numbers in the water, if we see a spike in number this could mean that there could be an increase in algae growth. When the algae begin to decompose there is a reduction of dissolved oxygen in the water. If this were to happen, species including fish could suffocate. We monitor all of these things in order to maintain a safe and healthy lake, not only for the community that surrounds it but also for the ecosystem that is in it.
| |
Important Dates & Reminders | |
|
SMLA’s Day at the Lake event was held June 8, 2024, from 11:00AM to 4:00PM. We had the Ferrum College SMLA’s Water Quality Lab family education booth set up where families were able to learn about what it means to participate in water quality monitoring at the lake.
May 28 was the first pick-up by our technicians of samples collected by our monitors. Remember that pick-up of your samples will be every two weeks. If you know you are not going to be home, please send us an email at least the day before. If you forget one week to leave out your samples for pick-up, no worries we will be back the next pick-up period to collect all the samples.
| |
July/August Events
- 6/30–7/6: Fourth SML Water Sampling Week (Green)
- 7/9: Sample Pick-up by Ferrum
- 7/14–20: Fifth SML Water Sampling Week (Orange)
- 7/23: Sample Pick-up by Ferrum
- 7/28– 8/3: Sixth SML Water Sampling Week (White)
- 8/6: Sample Pick-up by Ferrum
| |  |
Remember
Samples can be left at the Smith Mountain Lake Association Office located beside Wake Café on Scruggs Road, Route 834. The entrance is in the back of the building. Contact the Smith Mountain Lake Association at (540) 719-0690 before dropping off samples and notify the Water Quality Lab at (540) 365-4612 or wqp@ferrum.edu. We leave the building by 7:00 am on sampling days. Please call or email prior to the pickup date to ensure we pick up your samples at the correct location.
| | |
- Safety is our number one goal, so in the event of severe weather, your safety and health are more important to us than the sample.
- Remember to clearly mark the large filter paper around the edge using ONLY a pencil.
- Make sure to place the smaller filter inside the larger filter and fold it twice before putting it in the black bag. Sunlight can greatly affect the results of the chlorophyll-A that we are testing for.
- Take samples within the dates of sampling week.
- If your hose it too short, please sample as deeply as possible with one you have.
- Advanced Monitors: When collecting the sample from the hose, be sure the sample is taken from twice the Secchi depth reading, and be sure to only fill bottles to the shoulder
- When reading the Secchi disc, make sure to grab the rope at the waterline, and record your reading to the nearest 0.25 meter mark.
- If you need a refresher on how to conduct a sampling procedure, here is the link to our training videos.
|
|
Meet Our Student Technicians | |
Ms. Katelynn "Kate" Harmeling '24
Kate is excited to be on the team this year. She recently graduated from Ferrum College with two bachelor degrees, one in Recreational Leadership and the other in Environmental Studies. Katelynn is excited for the hands-on experience inside and outside the lab this summer. She grew up as a military kid living in five different states but just recently relocated to Rocky Mount, VA, which she now calls home. After this summer she hopes to either get a job in environmental monitoring or continue her education in Atmospheric Science. She will be the primary technician on chlorophyll-A this summer. She will also help with algae and depth profiles. We are excited to have her as a part of the team this summer.
| |
|
Ms. Riley Hines '25
This is Riley’s second year with the SML Water Quality Monitoring Program. She is from Bealeton, VA and will be a senior at Ferrum College this coming fall. She is studying Environmental Science and Agriculture with an emphasis in Crop Science and a minor in Biology. She decided to rejoin the team this summer to further her laboratory skills. Riley is planning to attend graduate school in water quality research after Ferrum College. This summer, Riley will be the primary technician on algae. She will be looking through a microscope at different samples to identify and count the different kind of algae she finds in each sample. She will also be primary technician on our depth profiles. We are so happy to have her a part of the team again!
| |
|
Ms. Thabelo "Thabs" Nemulodi '25
Thabs is a rising Ferrum College senior who is studying Pre-Professional Health Science with a Pre-Med emphasis and a minor in chemistry. Thabs is an international student from South Africa who joined the program to grow and enhance her lab skills. Thabs is the co-primary technician on total phosphorous this summer where her chemistry skills will be put to the test. She is also the primary technician on the E. coli bacterial testing while helping out as a monitor liaison. After she finishes her time at Ferrum she is planning on going to medical school. She is excited for the experience she will gain this summer in the labs and be part of the SML community that surrounds her. We are excited to have her on the project this year.
| |
|
Ms. Rylie Turner '26
Rylie is one of Franklin County’s own, she will be a junior this coming fall at Ferrum College. She is studying both Biology and Pre-Professional Health with a general emphasis. She is excited for this summer not only to continue her lab skills but be out in nature as we collect the samples. After she graduates from Ferrum she hopes to continue her education in studying marine biology or working in a lab type setting. She believes that this program is a perfect opportunity to enhance her knowledge in the subjects of biology and chemistry. This summer Rylie will be working as the co-primary technician on total phosphorous and as our monitoring liaison. She will also be helping with E-coli testing. We are excited she is on our team this year.
| |
|
Dr. Clay Britton
Hello! My name is Clay Britton. I joined Ferrum in August 2019 and am an Associate Professor in the Agricultural Science (emphasis on Horticulture) and Biology Programs. This will be my 5th summer associated with this project, and I am excited to be back with the SML Water Quality Team! I have spent over a decade working on water quality projects as an undergraduate student at Elon University, NC, and as a doctoral student at Purdue University, IN. I am always excited to spend time in and around the water! If you have any questions about algae or plants (aquatic and terrestrial) that you see in or around the lake please feel free to email me at cbritton@ferrum.edu and I will get back to you. I am looking forward to working with all of you again this summer. Stay safe and enjoy that lake life!
| |
|
Dr. Dana Ghioca-Robrecht
Hi everyone! My name is Dana Ghioca-Robrecht, and I have been at Ferrum for six years now. I am an Assistant Professor of Environmental Science and Biology and Program Coordinator for Environmental Science and Environmental Studies. My main role with the SML Water Quality Monitoring program is that of a data scientist. While I will also be joining the sampling teams on the lake for several weeks this summer, my main job is to make sure the data sheets are up-to-date and data presentation and analysis is accurate and effective. I will also start looking back at the data collected for the past 38 years to explore trends in water quality measures to help us learn how the lake has changed (or maybe not so much?) since the sampling started. You can reach me at dghioca-robrecht@ferrum.edu if you have any data questions. I look forward to collaborating with all of you in our various roles as lookouts for the good health of this beautiful lake.
| |
|
Dr. Delia Heck
This is my 20th summer with the Water Quality Monitoring Program. This year is the first as the co-Director with Dr. Britton after four years as the Director. I have taken on the role of Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Ferrum College so Dr. Britton is moving into the Co-Director role as my administrative responsibilities on campus increase. Please don't hesitate to contact me at dheck@ferrum.edu if you have any questions or concerns about any aspect of the program. We are grateful for your involvement as citizen scientists to help address the evolving needs of the program and the lake community.
| |
|
Dr. Dave Johnson
Hello friends! I’m an environmental chemist and taught chemistry and environmental science at Ferrum College for 36 years before retiring in 2015. I grew up in northern Michigan and enjoy being in, on and around lakes. I’ve been studying Smith Mountain Lake since 1985. During the spring of my senior year, I worked on the first Earth Day celebration at the University of Michigan - Dearborn, and then moved over to Ann Arbor for graduate work in environmental chemistry. Aquatic ecosystems are constantly changing and endlessly fascinating, so during retirement I have continued exploring and enjoying Smith Mountain Lake.
| |
|
Ms. Chekka Lash
I am excited to join the project again this year. This will be my second year as a scientist on the team. My primary knowledge base is in stream macroinvertebrates and water quality, and I am a Save Our Streams trainer and monitor. I monitor Storey Creek in Ferrum, a tributary of the Pigg River, and the Pigg River site at Waid Park. At Ferrum College, I am an Instructor of Biology and Environmental Science. I am looking forward to a fun and fruitful data-collection season!
| |
|
Ms. Carol Love
Hello everyone and welcome back to another sampling season on Smith Mountain Lake. We are happy to welcome back our returning monitors and also several new monitors this year. This project depends on you folks to help collect the large number of samples and data that we use each year. Hard to believe this is the 38th consecutive year for this program - your dedication is impressive! I am the Ferrum College Lab Supervisor for the Science Department during the school year and the Lab and Field Coordinator for the SML Water Quality Project during the summers. I have been involved with the lake project since 1998 and look forward each year to interacting with all of you and a new group of student technicians. In my spare time I like to river kayak and hike in our beautiful SW Virginia area. Please be sure to contact us at wqp@ferrum.edu with any questions or concerns. And please be safe on the lake – I hope everyone has a great summer!
| |
|
Dr. Bob Pohlad
It is hard to believe that this is the 38th sampling year for the Ferrum College Smith Mountain Lake Water Quality Program. As has been the case for many years, I continue to work with the student technicians on the identification and analysis of the algae populations throughout the lake, specifically to determine high levels of toxin producing blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) often called HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms). We now have a Virginia Dept. of Health statewide reporting tool for algal bloom reporting and I encourage you to use it and pass the word. Click here to access the online report form.
I again would like to encourage you to TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR TEAM sampling so we can post them, if you are willing, to our Program Facebook page or to the Smith Mountain Lake Association page. Please share them with me. I also would love to see any images of Great Blue Herons you happen to spot, Dr. Carolyn Thomas’s spirit bird. You may see me on the lake photographing these magnificent birds and other vistas or sailing from the Virginia Inland Sailing Association (VISA). As always, I welcome any questions and encourage you to get in touch with me. My email is bpohlad@ferrum.edu or you can call 540-365-4612 and leave a message at the lab or send it through Facebook if you participate there. Even though I retired from teaching at Ferrum College, I plan to continue my research on algae with the Water Quality Project and look forward to seeing you at or on the lake!
| |
|
|
On June 8, 2024, we attended Day at the Lake on Smith Mountain Lake at GoodHue Boat Company - Blackwater. Two students, Riley Hines and Rylie Turner were accompanied by Clay Britton, Bob Pholad, Chekka Lash, Carol Love and Delia Heck. While there we taught the public how we take water samples using a plankton tow net, took Secchi depth readings, and demonstrated how to use the Hach meter. This meter tells us the dissolved oxygen and conductivity in the water and is used on bacterial samplings. After people collected samples, they could then go to the microscopes we had set up and analyze their own sample. This allowed for the public to get a better understanding of what exactly we do when sampling and what our algae analysis looks like back in the lab. We enjoyed spending our time getting to show the community more of what we do and letting them experience a part of what we do on a weekly basis in the lab. We can’t wait for next year’s Day at the Lake!
View additional Day at the Lake photographs taken by Dr. Bob Pohlad here.
| |
|
Pseudanabaena is a common freshwater cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). It is a filamentous, non-heterocystous (i.e., not nitrogen-fixing) cyanobacteria that belongs to the order Oscillatoriales. We began counting Pseudanabaena during period 2 of sampling (week of June 10th) after we found it in two depth profile samples. Pseudanabaena has a strong adaptability to temperatures, although it prefers a temperature range of 20℃ – 30℃ (68℉-86℉). This means it is typically seen between May and August. It also is a producer of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) which is a compound that can cause odd taste and odor in water.
| |
Frequently Asked Questions | |
Question
What should I do if I notice anything unusual on the lake such as odd looking algal blooms, fish kill, etc.?
|
Answer
Call the lab at (540) 365-4612 or email wqp@ferrum.edu, and we will look into it. You can also contact Tom Hardy at hardy8@comcast.net.
| | |
Question
When I’m collecting a water sample , do I take it at the Secchi depth?
|
Answer
No. To take a water sample, double the Secchi depth and take a sample from that depth. This gives us a sample of water from all of the photic zone of the water, with all of the photosynthesizing organisms represented.
| |
Question
I ran out of filters or I lost some bottles. What should I do?
| |
Answer
If you have enough bottles to make it through the next sampling, email wqp@ferrum.edu and we will bring you extras on the sample pickup day. If you do not have enough, please email wqp@ferrum.edu or call (540) 365-4612 and we will tell you the best course of action. If no one answers, please leave a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can. Please note: If you use bottles from a different week please be sure to cross off please be sure to cross off the week number and add the actual week of the sample.
|
|
Send Us Your Sampling Photos & News
We welcome your water sampling photographs and photos of your water sampling sites for possible use in future newsletters or on our social media sites. We also welcome news and updates of interest to our community. Please email submissions to wqp@ferrum.edu.
| |
Monitoring the Waters of Smith Mountain Lake Since 1987 | |
|
The Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) and Ferrum College have been monitoring the water quality of SML for over 35 years. Each summer, Ferrum College faculty and students, along with SMLA volunteers, monitor the lake water for nutrients, bacteria, and algal blooms. Stakeholders and local health departments use collected data to inform the community of any concerns. Watch the replay of our webinar where the experts teach us about the results of last year’s water monitoring program and plans for the 2023 season.
A Great Blue Heron flies at a Smith Mountain Lake rookery in May 2023. Dr. Bob Pohlad photograph.
|
| | | |
