Algal Blooms
Phytoplankton biomass measured as chlorophyll-a concentration is typically between 0.5 and 3.0 ug/L in Sooke Reservoir (Axys 1994). This range is similar to that found in other oligotrophic lakes on Vancouver Island (Perrin 1992, Shortreed and Stockner 1981). While this range indicates low average biomass of phytoplankton, episodic algal blooms have occurred in Sooke Lake Reservoir. A bloom of Dinobryon bavaricum in 1988, and more recent episodic high densities of Asterionella formosa, Aulacoseira spp., and Cyclotella spp. were described in Chapter 3 of the Strategic Plan for Watershed Managment.