Northeast Lake and Pond Classification

Abstract

From the deep and cold glacial lakes of the Adirondacks to the small kettle-hole ponds of the coastal plain, the Northeast region is known for its variety of lakes and ponds. Using consistently available data and guided by a steering committee of 13 aquatic biologists from state and federal agencies, The Nature Conservancy developed the first comprehensive map of waterbody types in the region. Every waterbody in the region is mapped and classified based on four attributes:

1. Depth: the degree to which light penetrates and whether there is a permanent dark zone.
2. Temperature: the coldest summer water temperature
3. Alkalinity: the degree to which the lake is buffered from acidification (similar to pH).
4. Trophic Status: the productivity or “nourishment” of the lake. Hypereutrophic lakes have two much enrichment resulting in algal blooms and oxygen loss. Oligotrophic lakes are cold and clear.

This project was funded by the USFWS’s North Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative to facilitate multi-state conservation planning. It integrates state-based classifications into a single system that provides context for understanding the extent, distribution, threats and conservation status of lakes and ponds in the region.

Additional Resources

View a presentation on the Lake and Pond Classification

Explore the Classification in a Storymap

Read about Northeast Lake and Pond Habitats in the Lake and Pond Habitat Guide

Download the Lake and Pond GIS DATA

Citation

Olivero, A. and Anderson, M.G. (2016). Northeast Lake and Pond Classification. The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Conservation Science, Eastern Regional Office. Boston, MA.