The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation began EPA approved intensive water quality monitoring in August 2000, in an effort to educate the public about water quality and to lend evidence for the retraction of swimming advisories along the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. As of 2006, Lake Pontchartrain was removed from Louisiana DEQ's Impaired Water Bodies list except for a sliver along the south shore which is still under review.
Ten historically recreational sites are sampled on a weekly basis and another ten sites of interest are sampled on a monthly basis. Several water quality parameters, including fecal coliform bacteria levels, are tested. (Fecal coliform levels below 200 indicate the water is safe for swimming.) The weekly sites are tested every Tuesday morning for data to be disseminated on Fridays (due to bacteria analysis- a process that takes 48 hours). Please be aware that rainfall causes spikes in bacteria counts. You can find more information on the site locations here.
This Week’s Numbers
Please note that Lincoln Beach is inaccessible
and Bayou St. John has replaced it
for the time being. This report is based on conditions found on the sampling day (8/24/10) only.
Date: 8/24/10
Fecal
Water
Water
Salinity
Disolved
#
Site
Coliform
Temp
Visibility
(ppt)
Oxygen
(MPN)
(F)
(feet)
(mg/L)
1
Laketown
130
87.8
n/a
2
6.2
2
Bonnabel Boat Launch
49
86.7
n/a
2.3
6.23
3
Old Beach
33
87.8
n/a
2.6/
6.7
4
Pontchartrain Beach
140
87.8
n/a
2.8
6.94
5
Bayou St. John
350
88
n/a
2.2
3.76
6
Bogue Falaya
>1600
78.6
.41
0
6.23
7
Tchefuncte River
540
84.7
.82
0.1
2.54
8
Bayou Castine
1600
86.7
.82
0.9
3.94
9
Fontainebleau Beach
170
83.1
1.64
1.1
6.77
10
Northshore Beach
79
86.7
1.64
2.9
6.85
Rainfall Runoff Warnings
The Lake's water quality is directly related to rainfall runoff.
If it has rained in your area in the past 3 days, the runoff could pollute the Lake.
What Do The Numbers Mean?
The following criteria are based on the
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality
The New Canal Lighthouse built in the 1890's was destroyed by Hurricanes Katrina & Rita. We are working to assure The New Canal Lighthouse's full restoration.
