Division of Aquatic Environmental Management, Faculty of Fisheries, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Kashmir, Rangil, Nagabal, Kashmir-190006
The Waskura lake is a small, rural freshwater body situated in the flood plains of river Jhelum. The lake water besides being used for recreation is also used for fishing activities. The present paper is an attempt to assess its present water quality status and to record the chemical enrichment of the lake water over a period of time. Chemical parameters like Dissolved Oxygen, Free CO2, Total Alkalinity, Calcium Hardness showed significant variation (P<0.05) amongst different sites under study. The indicators of nutrient enrichment viz, Orthophosphate, Total Phosphorous, Ammonical Nitrogen and Nitrate Nitogen (pg/l) were recorded in concentrations of 38.5±3.6 pg/l, 379.0±36.9 pg/l, 135.3±11.8 pg/l and 309.0±39.5 pg/l respectively. Comparison of present values with previously available data indicates an increase in the concentrations of most of the limnological parameters which reflect the change in the trophic level of the lake.
Eutrophication, Trophic level, Water quality
