2024 Water Quality Monitoring Report
Prepared by U-Links Centre for Community based research.
executive summary
The 2024 Gull Lake Water Quality Report presents a detailed account of inter-seasonal monitoring conducted through the Woodlands and Waterways EcoWatch (WWEW) – Testing the Waters program, delivered in partnership with the U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research and the Gull Lake Cottagers’ Association (GLCA). This report documents the results of physical and chemical water quality sampling conducted at three deep basin, mid-lake sites on Gull Lake in spring and fall 2024. Parameters measured include pH, nutrients (ammonia, nitrate, total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus), sulfate, dissolved oxygen, temperature, Secchi depths and a full suite of total metals.
All pH measurements remained within the provincial guideline range, though some sites approached both the upper and lower guideline limits used for this program (6.5-8.5), highlighting the importance of both seasonal and site specific monitoring. Nitrogen analytes showed clear seasonal dynamics with ammonia concentrations elevated in the spring and declining by the fall; this is consistent with snowmelt driven nutrient pulses followed by biological uptake. Total Kjeldahl nitogren values exceeded the lake average for Canadian Shield lakes, but were shown to decline by fall, emphasizing an active nutrient cycle throughout the growing season. Nitrate was below the limit of reporting at all sites.
Total phosphorus values were low and stable, with all sites well below the 0.010 mg/L guideline limit used in this program – in line with Provincial Water Quality Objectives. Sulfate concentrations were consistent and well within acceptable limits, though they were slightly above the program average. Secchi depth measurements showed an increase from spring to fall, indicating improved water quality as the year progressed; this aligns with historical data sourced from Lake Partner Program and government based monitoring programs, showing long-term stability. Dissolved oxygen and temperature profiles captured thermal stratification and oxygen availability throughout the water column, revealing implications for aquatic life habitat, especially cold water species.
The total metals analyses showed no values exceeding the guideline limits across 39 analytes. While aluminium, copper and uranium concentrations were higher at GULL-WQ-03, all remained within safe thresholds. These results provide significant baseline data for understanding potential contamination inputs and tracking changes over time.
Trend analyses for Secchi depth, pH and total phosphorus utilize legacy data from provincial programs alongside data from WWEW. While the trends are still unclear due to natural variability and limited long-term data, adding new data helps fill important gapes to improve future comparisons. This report also outlines new program components such as ice-on/ice-off tracking and a watershed report card framework, designed to enhance data accessibility and broaden the scope of monitoring.
Overall, Gull Lake’s water quality remains strong, with results indicating low nutrient enrichment, good clarity and minimal contaminant presence. Continued seasonal and long term monitoring is essential to track ecological changes and inform future watershed planning and policy decisions.
full report - water quality monitoring report 2024