The UNH testing of area lakes regarding water quality has begun again. There is only one upcoming testing in 2022, and it will be next week, either Wednesday (9/7), Thursday (9/8) and Friday, (9/9).
The HPA (Horn Pond Association) acts as liaison and hopefully can get volunteers who own boats to bring the UNH students out to conduct the testing.
For next week, we need a volunteer to bring the UNH staff member who heads this program, Bob Craycraft, out on the pond for water testing and sampling. One day would be the date for the sampling and an alternative day in the event of inclement weather. Bob could be at your location by 9:00am. He can complete the sampling in approximately one hour.
Please email: mail@horn-pond.org by Sunday, (9/5) if you are available next Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of next week to bring Bob out. The program will start again next May.
• How long is the Program each season?
• During a full season, UNH normally strives to collect samples from mid-May/June through mid to late September. So, we only need volunteers for this September.
• What is the Frequency/how often will the testing be done?
• Weekly or bi-weekly; depending on the number of volunteers we can get.
• What day of Day of week will the testing be done?
• UNH will try for Wednesdays, but due to weather and other obligations of UNH students and/or staff. The timing may deviate by a day or two.
• What Time of Day will the testing be done?
• The water transparency is impacted by the angle of the sun so measurements are collected between 9AM and 3PM as early/late day measurements can result in artificially low readings.
• How much Time is involved for Volunteers on each outing?
• Approximately 45 minutes once anchored at the deep (approximately 30 feet) sampling location.
• What is/are the responsibilities of the power boat owner/Volunteer?
• Drive the boat and depending on the interest, the boat driver can help record measurements and can help with the sample collection under the guidance of the students.
• Volunteers need anything from an aluminum row boat to a powerboat to provide the desired stability due to the equipment UNH student/staff will have and collecting water samples. Some UNH students and staff may not be comfortable with canoes or kayaks.
• How many students will be on the boat?
• The UNH team would typically consist of two staff members/students.
• What will the students & staff be doing?
• Collect water transparency measurements
• Collect temperature readings at approximately 1.5 foot increments from the surface to the lake bottom. The meter used by the students would also record corresponding dissolved oxygen and specific conductivity measurements.
• Collect a surface water composite sample using a weighted clear tube sampler (works like putting a finger over a straw and lifting the straw out of the soda to retain the liquid)
• Collect a few bottom water samples with a special device that captures water samples at a specific depth.
• Who do I contact to volunteer:
• Email: mail@horn-pond.org