Water Quality
Lake Health Reports
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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.
The 2024 Gull Lake Water Quality Report presents a detailed account of inter-seasonal monitoring . 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. Key highlights:
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.
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.
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The authors are seeing a pollution levels in the lake trend upward from 2013 to 2020. The downward trend in mHBI values should be addressed for follow-up work in future years
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Sampling of the nearshore areas using a seine net resulted in the capture of six native species and one introduced or invasive species i.e. Rock Bass.
The number of Rock Bass captured constituted a small proportion of the overall sample. Based on this result, their presence is not likely a concern for the fish community or the overall ecosystem of Gull Lake.
Future sampling could be undertaken to monitor the numbers of Rock Bass and to detect any other invasive or introduced species.
