Tracking Total Phosphorus Concentrations in Six Northern Idaho Lakes
Faculty Mentor Information
Walter Mueller, Accurate Testing Labs
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
The Northern Idaho region is home to numerous lakes which serve as popular recreational sites for people and their dogs during the warm months of summer. Due to nutrient runoff, especially of phosphorus, many of these lakes have been impacted by eutrophication and thus experienced harmful blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. Certain blooms can generate toxic by-products referred to as cyanotoxins; these toxins can cause various health effects in humans and have even been fatal to dogs and other animals. To monitor early summer total-phosphorus (TP) concentrations, water samples were collected over a four-week period from the shorelines of six lakes in June 2026: Hauser, Twin, Spirit, Hayden, Avondale, and Fernan Lakes, all of which have histories of harmful algal blooms. TP concentrations were measured via an AA3 AutoAnalyzer and ultimately varied among lakes and sampling dates with no observed pattern over the sampling timeframe. Continued monitoring of TP throughout the summer season may provide more insight into periods of potentially elevated phosphorus concentrations which can promote harmful blooms in these lakes.
Tracking Total Phosphorus Concentrations in Six Northern Idaho Lakes
The Northern Idaho region is home to numerous lakes which serve as popular recreational sites for people and their dogs during the warm months of summer. Due to nutrient runoff, especially of phosphorus, many of these lakes have been impacted by eutrophication and thus experienced harmful blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. Certain blooms can generate toxic by-products referred to as cyanotoxins; these toxins can cause various health effects in humans and have even been fatal to dogs and other animals. To monitor early summer total-phosphorus (TP) concentrations, water samples were collected over a four-week period from the shorelines of six lakes in June 2026: Hauser, Twin, Spirit, Hayden, Avondale, and Fernan Lakes, all of which have histories of harmful algal blooms. TP concentrations were measured via an AA3 AutoAnalyzer and ultimately varied among lakes and sampling dates with no observed pattern over the sampling timeframe. Continued monitoring of TP throughout the summer season may provide more insight into periods of potentially elevated phosphorus concentrations which can promote harmful blooms in these lakes.