Lake Alexandrina at Poltalloch Plains

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Archived water quality assessments

Water quality samples in Lake Alexandrina at Poltalloch Plains are collected monthly. The indicators that are measured are nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), turbidity, bacteria and salinity. The concentrations of these indicators are used to classify the water quality as being in good, moderate or poor condition, according to the needs of aquatic ecosystem protection and recreational environmental values. >> More

Water quality classification for October 2005 to March 2006

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreational
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good	NA
Total Nitrogen	Poor	NA
Soluble Phosphorus	Good	NA
Total Phosphorus	Poor	NA
Turbidity	Moderate	Poor
Bacteria	NA	Good

Notes NA = not applicable

The poor turbidity means that visibility is low and may cause bathing accidents. It also makes water look less appealing for swimming. Turbidity may increase when matter such as clay and silt is washed into the lake or bottom sediments re-suspended. It can also increase because of a high algal population.

Nutrient levels can be elevated by fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms or due to effluent outfalls. The chlorophyll (a) level in the lake is frequently high, which means the amount of algae is also high. This is particularly the case during warmer months. There is no guideline for chlorophyll (a) in rivers or lakes, although the data are available below.

The irrigated farming in the Lower Murray region is likely to add a large nutrient load to the lake. >> More

Water quality classification for April to September 2005

Indicator	Ecosystem	Recreational
Oxidised Nitrogen	Good	NA
Total Nitrogen	Poor	NA
Soluble Phosphorus	Good	NA
Total Phosphorus	Good	NA
Turbidity	Good	Poor
Bacteria	NA	Good

Notes NA = not applicable

The poor turbidity means that visibility is low and may cause bathing accidents. It also makes water look less appealing for swimming. Turbidity may increase when matter such as clay and silt is washed into the lake or bottom sediments re-suspended. It can also increase because of a high algal population.

Nitrogen levels can be elevated by fertilisers or animal wastes being washed off farms during storms or due to effluent outfalls. The chlorophyll (a) level in the lake is frequently high, which means the amount of algae is also high. This is particularly the case during warmer months. There is no guideline for chlorophyll (a) in rivers or lakes, although the data are available below.

The irrigated farming in the Lower Murray region is likely to add a large nutrient load to the lake. >> More

This page was last modified 31-07-2007