Methods

Are there patterns in water quality based on whether the lake is surrounded by forests, farms, or buildings?

Analyzing trends in water quality parameters like phosphorus levels, turbidity, and pH will help identify whether and how water quality has changed in response to land use modifications. 

I used historical and present water quality data (1986-2023) from VLAP and NHDES data for this analysis.  

How do changes in land use around Lake Sunapee impact water quality parameters like pH or nutrient levels such as phosphorus?

Land use changes, such as urbanization and deforestation, can significantly influence water quality by increasing runoff, nutrient loading, and pollution. Calculating the percentage of different land use types around Lake Sunapee is essential for understanding how human activities may contribute to changes in water quality.

For this analysis we used Land Use Land Cover (LULC) historical data (2011-2021) from MRLC and bathymetric data to correlate land use with sensitive lake areas.

Does an increase in roads, buildings, and other impervious surfaces correlate with spikes in turbidity or total phosphorus?

Interpolating the water quality data will allow for the creation of a spatial map showing how water quality varies across different parts of Lake Sunapee. This will help identify specific areas of concern, such as areas with high phosphorus concentrations or high murkiness, and I can relate these to nearby land use activities.