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Section 319
NONPOINT SOURCE PROGRAM SOGGESS STORY
Phosphorus Reductions in Bass Lake Restore Fishery
WatPrbndv Imnrnvpd Livestock operations and other agricultural activities contrib-
'} * -*..» nutrjent overenrichment and fish kills in Bass Lake in
northeastern Wisconsin, forcing it to be added to the state's 303(d) list of impaired waters.
The Marinette County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) led an effort to
reduce polluted runoff by installing state-of-the-art barnyard control practices combined
with other in-lake treatment techniques that reduced phosphorus levels in the lake. The
Bass Lake restoration project achieved total maximum daily load (TMDL) targets by reduc-
ing the average phosphorus concentrations from 490 yi/g/L to 10/^g/L, and the lake will be
removed from the state's 303(d) list in the next listing cycle.
Problem
Bass Lake was placed on Wisconsin's 303(d)
list of impaired waters for high phosphorus,
low dissolved oxygen levels, and winter fish
kills. Runoff from cropland, livestock barn-
yards, and nutrient accumulation in a wetland
through which the inlet drained delivered
high levels of nutrients and biological oxygen
demand to the lake. Nutrient runoff caused
heavy algae blooms, which covered the lake
in the summer months, and dissolved oxygen
concentrations fell to zero in the winter months
when ice covered the lake. Low dissolved
oxygen concentrations caused fish kills and
decimated the sport fish population.
Project Highlights
Marinette County LWCD spearheaded an effort
to work with two livestock operations, with a
combined total of 700 animal units, identified as
the major sources of phosphorus entering the
lake. LWCD worked with landowners to install
state-of-the-art barnyard control practices such
as manure storage facilities, clean water diver-
sions, and roof runoff controls. Eventually, one
landowner chose to discontinue operations in
his barnyard. Funds from the state stewardship
program allowed him to put 2,000 feet of Bass
Lake shoreline and 55 acres of cropland under
permanent easement. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service aided in the installation of sediment
Bass Lake just after alum treatment, which helped reduce
phosphorus in the lake.
basins and restoration of wetland areas to pre-
vent further loading. The remaining livestock
operation further reduced runoff from livestock
areas by moving animals into a free stall facility
where cows are kept indoors in large pens. A
sediment control basin and a leachate collection
system—designed to collect polluted runoff and
pump it into the manure storage—were also
installed on the farm to virtually eliminate pollu-
tion transport from livestock areas to Bass Lake.
With support from the Wisconsin Department
of Natural Resources (DNR), LWCD worked with
a professional consultant to treat Bass Lake
with alum during fall 1999 to break the cycle
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About 2,000 feet of Bass Lake shoreline
is under permanent easement. Box in
photo identifies approximate location of
easement boundary.
No fish kills have occurred in Bass Lake since best manage-
ment practices were implemented, and the fish population
appears healthy.
of internal phosphorus release from sediment
on the lake bottom and to reduce phosphorus
levels in the lake.
Results
The Bass Lake restoration project achieved
TMDL targets by reducing the average phos-
phorus concentrations from 490 ji/g/L to 10 ji/g/L,
and the lake will be removed from the state's
303(d) list in the next listing cycle. Farmers'
participation in nutrient management planning
should reduce nutrient delivery from cropped
areas in the watershed even further.
The alum treatment dramatically reduced total
phosphorus in Bass Lake. Without the high
concentration of phosphorus to feed on, heavy
blue-green algae blooms no longer cover the
lake and water clarity continues to improve.
Secchi disk readings have improved from less
than 10 feet before the project to up to 20 feet
during July 2004 after the alum treatment. No
fish kills have been noted since the project,
and the fish population appears healthy.
Partners and Funding
Marinette County LWCD led this effort and
received assistance from the Wisconsin DNR,
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural
Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, Town of Beaver, and landown-
ers. Project costs are estimated at $696,100.
The State Stewardship Fund provided $195,000
of that total through section 319 and the Lakes
program for a conservation easement to aban-
don one barnyard operation. Section 319 funds
were also used to implement best management
practices, which accounted for approximately
40 percent of project costs. The Wisconsin
DNR Lakes Partnership Program also provided
support with Lakes Protection grants for project
activities. Some Clean Lakes activities, now
funded by Clean Water Act section 319 grants,
were formerly funded under the section 314
Clean Lakes program. Among other things, the
Lakes program helped pay for the alum treat-
ment, along with local cost share.
'. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
\ Office of Water
a Washington, DC
EPA841-F-05-004S
September 2005
For additional information contact:
Greg Sevener
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
715-582-5013
gregory.sevener@dnr.state.wi.us
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