New York State Learning Standards Addressed

A typical program aboard the Rosalia Anna Ashby includes:

• Lake George Basics: Learn what makes Lake George different from other lakes. How long is it? How deep is it? How many islands does it have?

• History: Get a brief geological history of the formation of the lake. What did the lake look like before the glaciers came through? Why does the lake flow north?

• Water Clarity and Trophic State: Using a secchi disk, you'll measure water clarity. How far can you see into the lake? We'll discuss the factors affecting the clarity of the water and you'll find out if the lake is oligotrophic, mesotrophic, or eutrophic.

• Food Webs and Plankton: You'll catch and identify zooplankton using plankton nets and field microscopes. Why are they important to the health of the lake? What else lives in the lake?

• Water Chemistry: Using a Van Dorn bottle, you will obtain water to measure water temperature, pH
  and dissolved oxygen levels. What can these tests help us determine over time?

• Water Quality Issues: Learn about threats to the lake such as invasive species and nonpoint source pollution. Fertilizers, septic systems, stormwater runoff, and road salt are all sources of pollution to the lake. What are simple things that can be done to help protect the lake?