Water Quality Program

The watershed protection efforts of Lake Auburn Watershed Protection Commission would not be possible without Lewiston Water Division and Auburn Water District. Though the work of the watershed staff is informed by many techniques and conversations with partners in and out of the watershed, ultimately, understanding the water quality of Lake Auburn allows for the best watershed protection planning, understanding seasonal and long-term trends.
 
Water quality staff have been collecting routine water samples on Lake Auburn since 1986, and state data collection efforts began long before that time. In-lake data is collected on temperature, dissolved oxygen, secchi depth, total dissolved solids, phosphorous, nitrogen, and conductivity among other parameters. This data is collected throughout the open water season from designated sampling sites in Lake Auburn. Data is also collected from inlet streams and ponds in the watershed, typically during or after precipitation events. Bates College also routinely samples Lake Auburn and has a continuous data monitoring station on the Lake.