-------
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Massachusetts Study Lakes iv
Lake and Drainage Area Map v
Sections
I. Conclusions 1
II. Lake and Drainage Basin Characteristics 3
III. Lake Water Quality Summary 4
IV. Nutrient Loadings 8
V. Literature Reviewed 13
VI. Appendices 14
-------
11
FOREWORD
The National Eutrophication Survey was initiated in 1972 in
response to an Administration commitment to investigate the nation-
wide threat of accelerated eutrophication to fresh water lakes and
reservoirs.
OBJECTIVES
The Survey was designed to develop, in conjunction with state
environmental agencies, information on nutrient sources, concentrations,
and impact on selected freshwater lakes as a basis for formulating
comprehensive and coordinated national, regional, and state management
practices relating to point-source discharge reduction and non-point
source pollution abatement in lake watersheds.
ANALYTIC APPROACH
The mathematical and statistical procedures selected for the
Survey's eutrophication analysis are based on related concepts that:
a. A generalized representation or model relating
sources, concentrations, and impacts can be constructed.
b. By applying measurements of relevant parameters
associated with lake degradation, the generalized model
can be transformed into an operational representation of
a lake, its drainage basin, and related nutrients.
c. With such a transformation, an assessment of the
potential for eutrophication control can be made.
LAKE ANALYSIS
In this report, the first stage of evaluation of lake and water-
shed data collected from the study lake and its drainage basin is
documented. The report is formatted to provide state environmental
agencies with specific information for basin planning [§303(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [§303(c)], clean lakes [§314(a,bj],
and water quality monitoring [§106 and §305(b)] activities mandated
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
-------
Beyond the single lake analysis, broader based correlations
between nutrient concentrations (and loading) and trophic condi-
tion are being made to advance the rationale and data base for
refinement of nutrient water quality criteria for the Nation's
fresh water lakes. Likewise, multivariate evaluations for the
relationships between land use, nutrient export, and trophic
condition, by lake class or use, are being developed to assist
in the formulation of planning guidelines and policies by EPA
and to augment plans implementation by the states.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The staff of the National Eutrophication Survey (Office of
Research & Development, U. S. Environmental Protection Agency)
expresses sincere appreciation to the Massachusetts Division of
Water Pollution Control for professional involvement and to the
Massachusetts National Guard for conducting the tributary sampling
phase of the Survey.
Thomas C. McMahon, Director, John R. Elwood, Supervisory
Sanitary Engineer, Eben Chesebrough, Senior Chemist, and Peter A.
Tennant, Senior Sanitary Engineer of the Massachusetts Division
of Water Pollution Control provided invaluable lake documentation
and counsel during the course of the Survey.
Major General Vahan Vartanian, the Adjutant General of Massa-
chusetts, and Project Officer Major William Flaherty, who directed
the volunteer efforts of the Massachusetts National Guardsmen, are
also gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
-------
NATIONAL... EUTROPHI CATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES
STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS
LAKE NAME
Assabet-Concord River Impoundments
Northboro
Hudson
Maynard
Bill erica
Hager Pond .
Matfield Impoundment.
Rochdale Pond
Woods Pond
COUNTY
Worcester
Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex
Plymouth
Worcester
Berkshire
-------
I 42"21'
I 42°20
HAGER POND
• Seuage Treatment Facility
X Lake Sampling Site
® Tributary Sampling Site
/" Direct Drainage Area Boundary
0 ^ Mi.
Scale
71*28'
-------
HA6ER POND
STORE! NO. 2502
I. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Hager Pond is a hypereutrophic impoundment which in recent
years has been plagued by obnoxious algal blooms and periodic
fish kills (Ketelle and Uttormark, 1971). Anaerobic conditions
reportedly occur over approximately one-third of the deeper
parts of the pond during about five months of the year (Anony-
mous, 1972). High phosphorus concentrations and extraordinarily
high nitrogen levels result in tremendous a.lgal growths. Excep-
tionally high chlorophyll a^ values (approaching 300 yg/1 during
the August sampling) and algal standing crop densities, ranging
from 33,000 to 81,000 cells/ml, reflect the high nutrient loading
rates to the pond and lend support to the hypereutrophic classi-
fication.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
There was a significant loss of nutrients in the algal assay
sample between the time of collection and the beginning of the
assay, and the results are not representative of conditions in
the pond at the time the sample was taken. However, the levels
of nutrients measured indicate that potentially Hager Pond had
a high level of primary productivity at the time the sample was
collected.
-------
The pond data indicate phosphorus limitation at all sampling
times.
C. Nutrient Controllability:
1. Point sources—During the sampling year, Hager Pond
received a total phosphorus load at a rate over 140 times the
rate proposed by Vollenweider as "dangerous"; i.e., a eutrophic
rate (see page 12). Now, Hager Pond has a rather short hydraulic
retention time of 24 days, and Vollenweider's model may not be
applicable. Nonetheless, the trophic condition of the pond is
evidence of excessive nutrient loads.
It is calculated that the Marl borough-Easterly wastewater
treatment plant contributed about 99% of the total phosphorus
load to Hager Pond during the sampling year. Presently, it is
planned to expand the Marlborough-Easterly plant capacity and
install nutrient removal equipment which will result in a
higher quality effluent which should improve the trophic condition
of the pond.
-------
II. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometry :
1. Surface area: 25 acres.
2. Mean depth: 5 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 10 feet.
4. Volume: 125 acre-feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 24 days.
B. Tributary and Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
1. Tributaries -
Name Drainage area* Mean flow*
Unnamed Brook (A-l) 0.9 mi2 1.4 cfs
Minor tributaries & 2
immediate drainage - 0.7 mi 1.2 cfs
Totals 1.6 mi2 2.6 cfs
2. Outlet -
Unnamed Brook (A-2) 1.7 mi2** 2.6 cfs
C. Precipitation***:
1. Year of sampling: 56.9 inches.
2. Mean annual: 43.3 inches.
t Anonymous, 1972.
* Drainage areas are accurate within ±1%; gaged mean daily, monthly, and
normalized monthly flows are accurate within ±15%; and ungaged mean
daily, monthly, and normalized flows are accurate within ±20%.
** Includes area of lake.
*** See Working Paper No. 1, "Survey Methods, 1972".
-------
III. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Hager Pond was sampled three times during the open-water season of
1972 by means of a pontoon-equipped Huey helicopter. Each time, samples
for physical and chemical parameters were collected from a,number of depths
at the single station on the pond (see map, page v). During each visit,
a single depth-integrated (near bottom to surface) sample was collected
for phytoplankton identification and enumeration, and a similar depth-
integrated sample was collected for chlorophyll ^analysis. During the last
a
visit, a five-gallon depth-integrated sample was collected for algal assays.
The maximum depth sampled was four feet.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix B, and the data
for the fall sampling period, when the pond essentially was well-mixed,
are summarized below. Note, however, the Secchi disc summary is based on
all values.
For differences in the various parameters at the other sampling times,
refer to Appendix B.
-------
A. Physical and chemical characteristics
Parameter Minimum
Temperature (Cent.) 15.5
Dissolved oxygen (mg/1) 9.0
Conductivity (ymhos) 610
pH (units) 6.6
Alkalinity (mg/1) 51
Total P (mg/1) 2.330
Dissolved P (mg/1) 1.470
N0? + NO, (mg/1) 0.440
Ammonia fmg/1) 21.500
FALL VALUES
(10/06/72)
Mean Median
Maximum
15.5
9.0
610
6.7
57
2.405
1 .495
0.465
24.050
15.5
9.0
610
6.7
57
2.405
1.495
0.465
24.050
15.5
9.0
610
6.8
62
2.480
1.520
0.490
26.600
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches)
12
17
18
20
-------
B. Biological charateristics:
1. Phytoplankton* -
Sampling
Date
08/04/72
10/06/72
2. Chlorophyll
(Because of
the followi
Sampling
Date
05/30/72
08/04/72
10/06/72
Dominant
Genera
1. Pediastrum
2. Scenedesmus
3. Tetraedron
4. Raphidiopsis
5. Dinobryon
Other genera
Total
1 . Scenedesmus
2. Pediastrum
3. Cyclotella
4. Dinobryon
5. Navicula
Other genera
Total
a_ -
instrumentation problems during
ng values may be in error by plus
Station
Number
01
01
01
Number
per ml
54,182
12,545
10,727
909
909
2,364
81,636
22,256
7,068
2,481
301
226
751
33,083
the 1972 sampling,
or minus 20 percent.)
Chlorophyll a
(yg/1 )
163.6
297.7
134.1
The June sample was lost in shipment.
-------
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
There was a significant loss of nutrients in the assay sample
between the time of collection and the beginning of the assay, and
the results are not indicative of conditions in the pond at the
time the sample was taken. However, the levels of nutrients
indicate that potentially Hager Pond had a high level of primary
productivity.
The pond data indicate phosphorus limitation at all sampling
times (the N/P ratios were 15/1 or greater and phosphorus limi-
tation would be expected).
-------
IV. NUTRIENT LOADINGS
(See Appendix C for data)
For the determination of nutrient loadings, the Massachusetts National
Guard collected monthly near-surface grab samples from each of the tribu-
tary sites indicated on the map (page v), except for the high runoff
months of March and April, when two samples were collected, and in November
when samples were omitted. Sampling was begun in September, 1972, and was
completed in August, 1973.
Through an interagency agreement, stream flow estimates for the year
of sampling and a "normalized" or average year were provided by the Massa-
chusetts District Office of the U.S. Geological Survey for the tributary
sites nearest the lake.
In this report, nutrient loads for sampled tributaries were determined
by using a modification of a U.S. Geological Survey computer program for
calculating stream loadings*. Nutrient loadings for unsampled "minor
tributaries and immediate drainage" ("ZZ" of U.S.G.S.) were estimated
2
using the means of the nutrient loads, in Ibs/mi /year, in tributaries
to nearby Maynard Impoundment at stations B-l and C-l and multiplying the
2
means by the ZZ area in mi .
The operator of the Marl borough-Easterly wastewater treatment plant
provided monthly effluent samples and corresponding flow data.
* See Working Paper No. 1.
-------
A. Waste Sources:
1. Known municipal* -
Pop. Mean Receiving
Name Served Treatment Flow (rogd) Water
Marlborough- 15,000 trickling 2.612 Hager Pond
Easterly filter +
ponds
2. Known industrial - None
* Cady, 1973.
-------
10
B. Annual Total Phosphorus Loading - Average Year:
1. Inputs -
Ibs P/ % of
Source " yr total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) -
Unnamed Brook (A-l) 140 0.5
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non-point load) - 110 0.4
c. Known municipal STP's -
Marl borough-Easterly 28,620 99.1
d. Septic tanks - Unknown
e. Known industrial - None
f. Direct precipitation* - <10 <0.1
Total 28,870 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - Unnamed Brook (A-2) 7,740
3. Net annual P accumulation - 21,130 pounds
See Working Paper No. 1.
-------
11
C. Annual Total Nitrogen Loading - Average Year:
1. Inputs -
Ibs N/ % of
Source yr total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) -
Unnamed Brook (A-l) 4,400 3.4
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non-point load) - 3,450 2.7
c. Known municipal STP's -
Marl borough-Easterly 120,140 93.9
d. Septic tanks - Unknown
e. Known industrial - None
f. Direct precipitation* - 1£ <0.1
Total 128,000 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - Unnamed Brook (A-2) 59,030
3. Net annual N accumulation - 68,970 pounds
See Working Paper No. 1.
-------
12
D. Mean Annual Non-point Nutrient Export by Subdrainage Area:
2 2
Tributary Ibs P/mi /yr Ibs N/mi /yr
Unnamed Brook (A-l) 157 4,929
E. Yearly Loading Rates:
In the following table, the existing phosphorus loading
rates are compared to those proposed by Vollenweider (in press).
Essentially, his "dangerous" rate is the rate at which the
receiving waters would become eutrophic or remain eutrophic;
his "permissible" rate is that which would result in the
receiving water remaining oligotrophic or becoming oligotrophic
if morphometry permitted. A mesotrophic rate would be consid-
ered one between "dangerous" and "permissible".
Note that Vollenweider's model may not be applicable to
water bodies with very short hydraulic retention times.
Total Phosphorus Total Nitrogen
Units
lbs/acr(
grams/m'
5/yr
•/yr
Total
1,154.
129.
8
43
Accumulated
845.3
94.73
Total
' 5,120.
573,
0
9
Accumulated
2,758.8
309.2
Vollenweider loading rates for phosphorus
(g/m^/yr) based on mean depth and mean
hydraulic retention time of Hager Pond:
"Dangerous" (eutrophic rate) 0.92
"Permissible" (oligotrophic rate) 0.46
-------
13
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonymous, 1972. Survey questionnaire. MA Water Res. Comm.,
Boston.
Cady, Robert M., 1973. Treatment plant questionnaire (Marlboro
Easterly STP). MA Div. Water Poll. Contr., Boston.
Ketelle, Martha J., and Paul D. Uttormark, 1971. Problem lakes in
the United States. EPA Water Poll. Contr. Res. Serv., Proj.
#16010 EHR.
Vollenweider, Richard A. (in press). Input-output models. Schweiz.
Z. Hydrol.
-------
VII. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
-------
TRIBUTARY FLOW INFORMATION FOR MASSACHUSETTS
11/26/74
LAKE CODE 2502
HAGER POND
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE
1.71
SUB-DRAINAGE
TRIBUTARY AREA
2502A1
2502A2
2502ZZ
0.94
1.71
0.77
JAN
1.61
2.94
1.32
FEB
1.79
3.25
1.46
MAR
3.21
5.83
2.63
APR
3.04
5.52
2.49
2502A2
2502ZZ
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
72
72
72
72
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
72
72
72
72
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
72
72
72
72
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
0.46
0.73
2.89
3.32
2.90
2.92
2.51
3.95
2.13-
1.36
1.57
0.85
0.84
1.31
5.24
6.02
5.29
5.30
4.56
7.18
3.87
2.48
2.86
1.55
0.38
0.59
2.36
2.72
2.38
2.38
2.06
3.24
1.74
1.28
0.70
9
14
9
13
10
10
14
12
9
14
26
9
14
9
13
10
10
14
12
9
14
26
MAY
1.92
3.49
1.57
NORMALIZED FLOWS
JUN JUL AUG
1.03
1.88
0.85
0.47
0.86
0.39
0.50
0.90
0.41
SEP
0.53
0.96
0.43
OCT
0.62
1.12
0.50
NOV
1.17
2.12
0.95
DEC
1.33
2.41
1.09
MEAN
1.43
2.60
1.17
SUMMARY
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE
SUM OF SUB-DRAINAGE AREAS
MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS AND DAILY FLOWS
TRIBUTARY MONTH YEAR MEAN FLOW DAY FLOW DAY
2502A1
1.71
1.71
TOTAL FLOW IN
TOTAL FLOW OUT
31.31
31.28
FLOW DAY
FLOW
0.57
0.65
5.11
1.55
3.08
5.25
3.29
2.53
1.00
1.44
0.41
1.03
1.18
9.30
2.82
5.61
9.56
5.98
4.60
1.81
2.62
0.74
23
28
23
28
2.59
3.22
4.72
5.86
-------
APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/26
2S0201
42 21 00.0 071 29 17.0
H/SGER POND
25045 MASSACHUSETTS
OATE
FROM
TO
72/05/30
72/08/04
72/10/06
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
11 33 0000
11 33 0002
13 40 0000
13 40 0004
13 35 0000
13 35 0003
00010
WATER
TEMP
C.F.NT
20.5
16.4
24.3
15.5
00300
DO
MG/L
11. a
7.2
9.4
9.0
00077 00094
TRANSP CNOUCTVY
SECCHI FIELD
INCHES MICROMHO
12
18
20
340
360
420
417
610
610
11EPALES
j
00400
Pri
SU
6.60
7.20
7.62
6.95
6.65
6.75
00410
T ALK
CAC03
MG/L
13
17
23
27
62
51
2111202
0004
00630
N02*.N03
N-TOTAL
Mo/L
0.600
0.400
0.310
0.610
0.440
0.490
FEET DEPTH
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
4.900
6.200
0.220
7.500
21.500
26.600
0066b
PHOS-TOT
MG/L P
0.660
1.080
0.665
1.970
2.330
2.480
00666
pHOS-nis
MG/L P
0.326
U.465
0.164
0.500.
1.520
1.470
32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLP.PHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/05/30 11
72/03/04 13
72/10/06 13
33
40
35
0000
0000
0000
163. 6J
297. 7J
134. 1J
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
-------
APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY and WASTEWATER
TREATMENT PLANT DATA
-------
STORE! RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/36
DATE
FROM
TO
72/09/09
72/10/14
72/12/09
73/01/13
73/02/10
73/03/10
73/03/23
73/6<»/14
73/04/28
73/05/12
73/06/09
73/07/14
73/08/26
00630
TIME DEPTH N02&N03
OF N-TOTAL
DAY FEET MG/L
10 00
14 35
08 15
09 00
09 30
07 30
07 35
07 35
07 10
07 25
07 35
07 35
11 10
0.300
0.490
0.650
0.330
0.250
0.220
0.330
0.350
0.230
0.190
0.160
0.920
0.231
2502A1 LS2502A1
42 21 00.0 071 29 30.0
NO NAME
25045 7.5 FRAMINGHAM
I/HAGER POND
US 20 BRDG 8ELO MARLBORO STP
11EPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET
DEPTH
00625
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
24.250
22.500
11.000
16.800
13.000
13.000
13.000
14.900
19.900
16.800
25.500
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
21.000
20.000
6.720
13.100
5.750
10.000
11.800
8.500
9.700
11.000
15.600
16.800
22.500
00671
PHOS-DIS
OPTHO
MG/L P
0.631
0.256
1.230
1.100
0.240
0.920
0.560
1.130
1.470
2.500
1.500
00665
PHOS-TOT
MG/L P
2.100
0.650
0.610
2.900
2.200
0.670
2.400
1.450
2.000
2.300
3.850
2.500
3.700
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/26
250242 LS2502A2
42 21 00.0 071 29 00.0
POND OUTLET TO GRISTMILL PD
25 7.5 FRAMINGHAM
0/HAGERS POND
US 20 BRDG
11EPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET
DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/09/09
72/10/14
72/12/09
73/01/13
73/02/10
73/03/10
73/03/23
73/04/14
73/04/28
73/05/12
73/06/09
73/07/14
73/08/26
00630
TIME DEPTH N02&N03
OF N-TOTAL
DAY FEET
10
14
08
09
10
07
07
07
07
07
07
07
11
15
45
20
00
00
30
30
30
00
30
30
30
00
MG/L
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
.675
.570
.330
.315
.380
.176
.190
.270
.240
.340
0.260
0
0
.050
.510
00625
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
12.500
8.700
11.000
11.800
7.800
9.450
10.400
11.000
11.800
8.700
19.500
00610 00671 00665
NH3-N PHOS-OIS PHOS-TOT
TOTAL ORTHO
MG/L
11.
2.
1.
9.
8.
6.
7.
4.
6.
7.
8.
5.
7.
400
500
800
400
812
100
050
500
600
400
300
600
100
MG/L P
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
1
.470
.360
.820
.280
.273
.640
.460
.960
.200
.200
.980
.900
MG/L P
1
0
0
1
1
0
1
0
1
1
2
1
2
.900
.500
.560
.800
.570
.610
.050
.800
.650
.700
.700
.500
.600
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/27
250250 TF250250 P015000
42 21 30.0 071 29 30.0
MARLBORO EASTERLY
25045 7.5 FRAMINGHAM
T/HAGER POND
UNNAMED STREAM
11EPALES 2141204
4 0000 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
73/01/02
CP(T)-
73/01/02
73/03/16
CP(T>-
73/03/16
73/07/02
CP(T)-
73/07/02
73/08/30
CP(T>-
73/08/31
73/09/25
CP(T)-
73/09/26
73/10/11
CP(T>-
73/10/12
74/01/04
CP(T>-
74/01/05
74/02/19
CP(T>-
74/02/20
74/04/16
cpm-
74/04/17
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY
08
16
08
17
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
08
FEET
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00630
N02&.N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.430
0.035
0.860
0.290
0.262
0.240
0.560
1.840
00625
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
9.450
21.000
7.000
24.000
18.400
2?. 000
18.500
18.500
10.000
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
4.600
12.100
4.800
14.700
22.000
15.000
9.700
6.800
00671
PHOS-OIS
00665
PHOS-TOT
ORTHO
MG/L
0.
1.
2.
2.
1.
1.
5.
6.
2.
P
620
400
010
300
980
540
520
100
500
MG/L P
1.790
3.200
2.600
3.400
2.900
3.000
6.200
6.700
3.000
50051
FLOW
RATE
INST
3
2
3
1
1
1
2
2
3
MGD
.580
.630
.060
.640
.880
.480
.970
.330
.800
50053
CONDUIT
FLOW-MGD
MONTHLY
3.260
2.780
2.450
1.500
1.550
2.980
2.980
3.400
-------