Algal bloom appears on Middle Range Pond for first time in decades

SUN JOURNAL • September 15, 2022

In his nearly 40 years as a volunteer lake monitor on Middle Range Pond, Barry Kutzen has never detected an algal bloom — until now. A couple of weeks ago, Kutzen was conducting his regular water quality tests on the lake when he measured a sharp decline in water clarity. Kutzen said, “All of a sudden, like a body blow, boom, just like that, in a period of (about a week), it’s gone way down.” Scott Williams, the retired executive director of Lake Stewards of Maine, said the algal bloom is likely not a health concern at this time, although it could become one if the bloom continues to grow.