Data on Fresh Pond Water Quality

The Fresh Pond Neighbors Association has been monitoring conditions from late spring through early fall since 2017, through the Citizen’s Statewide Lake Assessment Program to keep you healthy! Biological assessments are available here as they come in. We sample both shallow and deep waters plus suspicious blooms. Water chemistry and biology is analyzed by New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and other professional laboratories. You can view and download detailed annual summary reports and surveys via the links below.

Summer 2026 Testing

Testing at Dr. Ken Boyer’s lab at Syracuse University of water samples taken from July 19th through August 24th near the public access area and in the deep center the pond showed low levels of microcystins, harmful to the liver if consumed during recreation. Anatoxins, which can impact the nervous system were were not detected at meaningfully measurable levels (ND = non-dedect): Click here to view the report.

Visual flouro-probe examination of samples taken on August 24th were examined, demonstrating moderate levels of blue green algae, which can sometimes produce these toxins: Click here to view the data.

Saxitoxins (neurotoxins) associated with the algal mats we removed were low (significantly below safety concerns, according to Dr. Ken Wagner) before the July 21st to 23rd cleanup/harvesting, immediately after, and over a week later – both in the pond center and near shore. Click here to download these results.