Lillinonah Test Case for Effects of Major Storms on Lakes

In a December 21 post on National Geographic’s Water Currents blog, lake conservationist Lisa Borre writes about the extreme power of recent storms — namely Irene and Sandy — their unique effects on inland lakes like Candlewood and Lillinonah and what it means for the environment overall. 

“Sandy caused extensive damage to densely populated areas along the coast, making it one of the most devastating storms to make landfall in the U.S. Irene, on the other hand, unleashed its fury further inland, bringing severe flooding to areas as far north as the St. Lawrence River Valley in Quebec,” Borre writes. “The past focus has been on the damage to coastal areas, but as Irene has taught us, impacts to inland waters are also a concern.”

In her article, Borre cites a partnership between lake scientist Jennifer Klug and the Friends of the Lake (FOTL) to install and monitor data buoys in Lake Lillinonah. [The data can be viewed in real time at the FOTL website.]

With global weather patterns changing, lakes are becoming a key indicator of environmental health, FOTL member Greg Bollard told Patch in 2010 while the buoys were being installed. [Read more about the monitor buoy program here.]

The buoys recorded important data during and after the storms, according to Borre.

Read the full post on the National Geographic Water Currents blog.