Bacteriological contamination can be routinely checked at an inexpensive cost through hospital, county health departments and consultant laboratories. New York State certifies some, but not all, of these laboratories. If coliform bacteria, common intestinal microbes, are found in the lake water then a recent episode of fecal contamination is indicated. Faulty septic systems, barnyard runoff or large numbers of migratory waterfowl are usually suspect. Results and Discussions A bathymetric map, showing underwater contour lines, is presented in Figure 3.
Pleasant Lake is a shallow kettle hole lake that reaches warm summer water temperatures.
Thermal stratification in the zone of maximum water depth is probably absent, or at best fragile and easily disrupted by winds across the surface. Dissolved oxygen is near saturation for that time of the year, a very good condition f or aerobic aquatic organisms. Alkalinity levels indicate a large quantity of buffering compounds dissolved in the water. As a result, water pH is near the neutral point on the pH scale. A cautionary comment is needed here, however.