Whats the best way to test the pH of my 6 acre lake? Will a sample and some litmus paper do the trick?

Question

Whats the best way to test the pH of my 6 acre lake? Will a sample and some litmus paper do the trick?

Answer 1

Litmus paper should do fine.  I would not take a sample and let it sit for a while.  Things can change.  I would do your litmus testing in "real time".  

Water in nature is about pH 7 or neutral, that is it is neither acidic (low pH) or alkaline (high pH).  If you have a good reason to suspect that your lake is acidic or alkaline then your tests should account for variabley due to time and space.  Simply test your water at various locations where there may be a source of and at different times.  Make a map of your test locations and keep a written log with the date, time, location, and result of your test too.

You may also want to keep an eye on rainfall and inflows to the lake that may have an affect on the lake's chemistry.  .  Lastly, do some research on the history of the lake.  Is it man made? Natural?  Has there been any industrial activity in the past near the lake?  Has someone dumped something in the lake?  Go to google earth and look at the topography (e.g. terrain) to see where water comes from to fill your lake.

Answer 2

For landowners' purposes, that should be accurate enough. Just remember that pH can change with the weather, the season, and the part of the lake you are testing.

Answer 3

A cheap pool test kit will do the job. That is basically like litmus paper. Or maybe IS litmus paper. They sell them at Walmart and pool supply stores and lots of other places.

Answer 4

I think maybe on a larger scale?

Answer 5

Yes.  Use papers that determine "tenths" of pH.