Messer Pond Water Quality Monitoring

Beautiful view of northeast shore of Messer Pond, Autumn 2006

What is VLAP and why is it important?

The New Hampshire Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (NHVLAP), initiated in 1985, serves a dual purpose by establishing a regular volunteer-driven water sampling program to assist DES (Department of Environmental Services) in evaluating water quality throughout the state, and the program empowers volunteer monitors and lake residents with information about the health of their waterbody.
 
Regular gathering of water quality data from the lake and the streams that enter it builds a strong set of baseline data.  Such monitoring results in early detection of water quality changes, allowing DES to trace potential problems to their source.  If the data gathered in VLAP reveals that there is a water quality problem in a particular waterbody, the data may be used to justify the need for the implementation of a more intensive watershed study through the N.H. Clean Lakes Program, the Federal Clean Lakes Program, or the Non-Point Source Local Watershed Initiative Grants Program.

The volunteer monitors of VLAP are invaluable to the state of New Hampshire for collecting data that are used to determine long-term trends and for educating their neighbors on keeping the waters clean. They have been, and will continue to be, a key element in protecting the integrity of New Hampshire's lakes.   - Excerpt from NHDES, Watershed Management Bureau, VLAP

The files below require Adobe Reader for viewing.  Click on icon to download. 

VLAP Individual Lake Report - Messer Pond - 2018   How to Read your VLAP Report

VLAP Individual Lake Report - Messer Pond - 2016

VLAP Individual Lake Report - Messer Pond - 2013

VLAP Individual Lake Report - Messer Pond - 2012

VLAP Dartmouth Lake Sunapee Regional Report - 2012

VLAP Dartmouth Lake Sunapee Regional Report - 2011

VLAP Biennial Report for Messer Pond - 2010 - Observations & Recommendations

VLAP Interim Report for Messer Pond - 2009 - Observations & Recommendations

VLAP Biennial Report for Messer Pond - 2008

Summary Results of Water Sampling for Messer Pond - 1996 through 2006

Messer Pond Water Quality Information collected by NHDES and UNH in 1996

Answers to some common questions:

What is New Hampshire's Basic Lake Ecology?

Does Road Salt affect Water Quality?

What is Greywater and why is it harmful?

How do Lakes Age and why do they fill in (Eutrophication)?

Is Pressure Treated Wood (used for docks, etc.) harmful to lakes?

How does Phosphorus degrade water quality and how can it be minimized?

Freshwater Jellyfish?!?