Overview
NICKS LAKE is an air monitoring station in Herkimer County, New York, operated under the CASTNET network. It provides long-term atmospheric data to assess environmental trends.
NICKS LAKE is an air monitoring station located at 278 Bisby Road within the Nicks Lake Campground in Herkimer County, New York, United States. It is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), a national program designed to measure ambient air quality and deposition. The station is operational and contributes to the U.S. EPA's Air Quality System (AQS) monitoring network. The station's technical operations are managed by Mactec, Inc, with the most recent sample collected on December 24, 2024. CASTNET stations typically measure criteria pollutants, atmospheric deposition, and meteorological parameters, providing high-quality data for regulatory compliance and research. The network follows rigorous siting and quality assurance protocols to ensure representativeness. As a rural monitoring site in the Adirondack region, NICKS LAKE plays a key role in tracking regional air quality and ecosystem impacts, such as acid deposition and ozone levels. Its data supports the U.S. EPA's regulatory programs and informs policy decisions on air pollution control. The station's long-term record is valuable for assessing trends in atmospheric chemistry and climate interactions.
Environmental context
The Nicks Lake station is situated in a forested, rural area of the Adirondack Mountains, a region sensitive to acid deposition and nitrogen pollution. CASTNET monitoring here focuses on sulfate, nitrate, and ozone, which are critical for assessing ecosystem recovery under the Clean Air Act. The site's remote location provides background air quality data, helping distinguish local sources from regional transport. Its long-term record supports trend analysis for regulatory compliance and ecological research.
Frequently asked questions
NICKS LAKE is located at 278 Bisby Road, Nicks Lake Campground, in Herkimer County, New York, United States.
NICKS LAKE is part of the Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET), which monitors ambient air quality and atmospheric deposition across the United States.
As a CASTNET station, NICKS LAKE typically measures criteria pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, as well as atmospheric deposition parameters like sulfate and nitrate.
CASTNET data is used by the U.S. EPA to assess compliance with the Clean Air Act, track trends in air quality, and evaluate the effectiveness of emission reduction programs.
Rural stations like NICKS LAKE provide background air quality data, helping to distinguish local pollution sources from regional transport and assess ecosystem impacts such as acid deposition.
Other Air Monitoring Station plants in United States · 6 nearby