CLICK HEREfor the water quality map
Map Facts This 2020 map shows the most recent 3 full years (2017-2019) of data . The lower the TSI figure, the better the water quality. Note that Whitefish Lake has two figures for TSI. One is the 3 year average. But water quality can vary. The other higher TSI is for the worst month in the most recent 2019 summer period. A high TSI will be measured when there is a great amount of algae and surface vegetation. It can be bad enough to interfere with boating.
More detailed information on measuring water quality:
Good quality lake water is at the core of WAPOA’s efforts.
To know what water quality is, you have to take water samples and test the water.
WAPOA volunteers have been doing that for many years on over 30 lakes.
The result is a TSI number.
The TSI number combines measurements of water clearness (visibility), amount of phosphorus, and chlorophyll-a.
The TSI number closely correlates with the amount of algae growing in the water.
A higher TSI (unfavorable) means more algae in the water. Water with a high TSI may be unsuitable for swimming, clogged with plants, and supportive of rough fish.
For every 1 point increase in the TSI, there is a 10% increase in algae in the water.
How we can help:
Algae and other plants need phosphorus to grow.
Keep phosphorus out of water by preventing run-off of driveway sediment and chemicals, by not using fertilizer with phosphorus, by maintaining septic systems, and by not mowing your lakeside lawn right up to the waters edge.
Let the vegetation at water’s edge grow up to form a protective barrier.