Volunteers monitored Lake Fenwick in 1994 -1995, and again in 2001 and 2003-2004. The data indicate that this lake in the city of Kent is moderate to high in primary productivity (mesotrophic - eutrophic) with good to fair water quality. Kent has run a program of artificial aeration of the deep water for a number of years to limit internal phosphorus recycling.
Profile data suggest that thermal stratification is stable through summer, and some phosphorus is released from sediments into deep water. Nitrogen to phosphorus ratios approach 20:1 in late summer, which may favor bluegreens over other algae.
Lake Fenwick has a public access boat ramp next to the city park. Brazilian elodea has established a large population in the lake, and monitoring for other noxious aquatic weeds should be continued.
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The average of these three TSI indicators during the growing season can be used to place lakes in one of three broad categories: <40 = oligotrophic (low productivity), 40 to 50 = mesotrophic (moderate productivity) >50 = eutrophic (highly productive).
