During the summer of 2017, abnormally abundant algae growth was observed covering
more than half the surface area of lake Mountains in Chelsea, Quebec. Residents reported that in
previous years algae growth was limited to the shallow perimeter of the lake.
Mountains lake is relatively shallow (5.5 meters); reducing its dilution
power and making it vulnerable to environmental changes. Thus, an increase in
algae could be an indicator of change on a larger scale within its watershed.
The summer of 2017 held record high precipitations in the Outaouais region (CBC,
2017). I posit that an increase in surface water runoff within the watershed of Mountains lake
increased nutrients (e.g. nitrogen, suspended materials) within the lake causing abnormally high
growth of algae Most likely.These nutrient most likely originate from the St. Lawrence lowlands which are naturally nutrient rich and the numerous agricultural fields (e.g. fertilizers, animal excrement) within the watershed.
