U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
KEPORT
ON
BIG LAKE
APACHE COUNTY
ARIZONA
EPA REGION IX
WORKING PAPER No, 726
CORVALLIS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & SUPPORT LABORATORY - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
-------
REPORT
ON
BIGLAfc
APACHE COUNTY
ARIZONA
EPA REGION IX
WORKING PAPER No, 726
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
ARIZONA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND THE
ARIZONA NATIONAL GUARD
AUGUST, 1977
-------
REPORT ON BIG LAKE
APACHE COUNTY, ARIZONA
EPA REGION IX
by
National Eutrophication Survey
Water and Land Quality Branch
Monitoring Operations Division
Environmental Monitoring & Support Laboratory
Las Vegas, Nevada
and
Special Studies Branch
Corvallis Environmental Research Laboratory
Corvallis, Oregon
Working Paper No. 726
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
August 1977
-------
i
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword i i
List of Arizona Study Lakes 1v
Lake and Drainage Area Map v
Sections
I. Introduction 1
II. Conclusions 1
III. Lake Characteristics 3
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 4
V. Literature Reviewed 10
VI. Appendices 11
-------
ii
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 freshwater lakes and
reservoirs.
OBJECTIVES
The Survey was designed to develop, in conjunction with state
environmental agencies, information on nutrient sources, concen-
trations, 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 nonpoint source pollution abatement in lake water-
sheds.
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
watershed 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)]s clean lakes [§314(a,b)j, and water quality monitoring
[§106 and §305(b)] activities mandated by the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
-------
Ill
Beyond the single lake analysis, broader based correlations
between nutrient concentrations (and loading) and trophic condition
are being made to advance the rationale and data base for refine-
ment of nutrient water quality criteria for the Nation's freshwater
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 the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and to augment plans implementation by the states.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The staff of the National Eutrophication Survey (Office of
Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
expresses sincere appreciation to the Arizona State Department
of Health for professional involvement, to the Arizona National
Guard for conducting the tributary sampling phase of the Survey,
and to those Arizona wastewater treatment plant operators who
provided effluent samples and flow data.
The staffs of the Bureau of Water Quality Control, Environ-
mental Health Services, Arizona State Department of Health, and
the Arizona Game and Fish Department, provided invaluable lake
documentation and counsel during the Survey, reviewed the pre-
liminary reports and provided critiques most useful in the
preparation of this Working Paper Series.
Major General John G. Smith, the Adjutant General of Arizona,
and Project Officer Colonel Richard A. Col son, who directed the
volunteer efforts of the Arizona National Guardsmen, are also
gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
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IV
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES
STATE OF ARIZONA
LAKE NAME
Big Lake
Fools Hollow Lake
Lake Havasu
Luna Lake
Lyman Lake
Lake Mohave
Lake Pleasant
Lake Powell
Rainbow Lake
Theodore Roosevelt Lake
San Carlos Reservoir
COUNTY
Apache
Navajo
Mohave (San Bernadino
in CA)
Apache
Apache
Mohave (Clark in NV)
Yavapai, Maricopa
Coconino (Kane, Garfield,
San Juan in UT)
Navajo
Gil a
Graham, Gil a, Pinal
-------
Crescent Lake
33 54-
33 53''
Ariz.
Map Location
BIG LAKE
X Lake Sampling Site
jKm.
Mi
Scale
109°25'
33 52-
109 24'
-------
REPORT ON BIG LAKE, ARIZONA
STORE! NO. 0401
I. INTRODUCTION
Big Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey
(NES) as a water body of special interest to the Arizona State
Department of Health. Tributaries and nutrient sources were not
sampled, and this report relates only to the lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:*
Survey data indicate that Big Lake is early eutrophic.
Chlorophyll a^ values ranged from 1.3 ug/1 to 4.0 ug/l» with
a mean of 2.9 yg/1. Potential for primary production as
measured by algal assay control yield was high in the summer
and low in the fall. The median Secchi disc transparency was
114 inches (289.6 cm). Of the 11 Arizona lakes sampled in
1975, 5 had higher median total phosphorus values (0.032 mg/1),
3 had higher median inorganic nitrogen levels (0.090 mg/1) and
8 had higher median orthophosphorus values (0.007 mg/1) than
Big Lake.
Survey limnologists reported an algal bloom throughout the
lake on the October sampling date and submerged weeds in the
southern end.
*See Appendix C.
-------
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
Algal assay results indicate that Big Lake was col inn" ted by
available phosphorus and nitrogen levels during June sampling and
phosphorus limited in October. The lake data suggest primary
limitation by phosphorus in the summer and by nitrogen in the fall
-------
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS*
A. Lake Morphometry:**
2 t
1. Surface area: 1.94 km .
2. Mean depth: 4.4 meters.
3. Maximum depth: 7.0 meters.
4. Volume: 8.634 x 106 m3.ft
B. Precipitation:
1. Year of sampling: 30.8 cm.
2. Mean annual: 63.2 cm.
*A table of metric/English conversions in included as Appendix A.
**Rathbun, Ned. 1974.
tAverage value.
•M-Estimated value.
-------
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Big Lake was sampled two times during the open-water season
of 1975 by means of a pontoon-equipped Huey helicopter. Each time,
samples for physical and chemical parameters were collected from
two stations on the lake and from a number of depths at each station
(see map, page v). During each visit, depth-integrated samples
were collected from each station for chlorophyll a^ analysis and
phytoplankton identification and enumeration, and 18.9-liter depth-
integrated samples were composited for algal assays. The maximum
depth sampled was 6.1 meters at both Stations 01 and 02. For a
more detailed explanation of NES methods, see NES Working Paper No.
175.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix B and
are summarized in IV-A for waters at the surface and at the maximum
depth for each site. Results of the phytoplankton counts and chloro-
phyll a_ determinations are included in IV-B. Results of the limiting
nutrient study are presented in IV-C.
-------
3IG LAKF
5TO»ET CODE 0601
( -./19/75 )
MEDIAN
A. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
( 10/ 6/75 )
MAX MAX
OEPTH S*«* = 2 DEPTH
PAMGE MANGE
(METERS) M» WANGE MEDIAN (METERS)
TEMPERATURE (DEG CFNT)
O.-l.^ M f.EPTH
MAX DEPTH**
DISSOLVED OXYGEN
O.-l.S M riEPTH
MAX DEPTH**
CONDUCTIVITY CIMHi
o.-i.s M I>EPTH
MAX DEPTH**
PH (?TANOAHD "iMIT
O.-l.S M I'EPTH
MAX DEPTH**
TOTAL ALK-VLINITY
0.-1.5 M nEPTH
«AX DEPTH-"'*
TOTAL P (MG/L)
0.-1.5 M DEPTH
MAX DEPTH**
DISSOLVED ORTHO P
0.-1.5 M OEPTH
MAX DFPTH**
N02»N03 (MG/L)
O.-l.S M ->EPT*
MAX DfPTH**
AMMONIA («G/L!
0.-1.5 M DEPTH
MAX OEPTH**
KJEL06HL M EPT"
MAX OFPTH**
4
2
(UG/L)
4
2
0<:)
4
2
S»
4
2
("G/D
4
?
4
2
(MG/L)
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
12.S-
12.5-
6.2-
6.0-
112.-
113.-
8.0-
8.0-
76.-
77.-
0.033-0
0.030-0
0.009-0
0.004-0
0.080-0
n. 070-0
0. 160-0
0.200-0
1.000-1
1.000-1
12. 6
12.7
7.4
7.6
11*.
114.
8.1
8.0
77.
78.
.04?
.032
.019
.011
.080
.090
.230
.200
.?00
.000
12.5
12.6
6.6
6.b
in.
114.
8.0
8.0
77.
78.
0.0-»7
0.031
0.012
0.007
O.OPO
0.080
0.205
0.200
1.100
1.000
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
S.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
0.0-
5.5-
1.5
6.1
1.0
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
2
4
?
4
2
4
2
14.<»- 15.7
14.9- 14.9
7.5- 7.8
7.4- 8.0
99.- 102.
97.- 97.
8.5- 8.6
8.4- 8.6
76.- 77.
76.- 76.
0.022-0.050
0.022-0.049
0.004-0.021
0.003-0.006
0.060-0.070
0.060-0.070
0.020-0.020
0.020-0.020
0.600-0.700
0.600-0.800
15.0
14.9
7.7
7.7
99.
97.
8.5
8.5
77.
76.
0.028
0.035
0.007
0.004
0.065
0.065
0.020
0.020
0.600
0.700
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
0.0-
6.1-
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
1.5
6.1
SECCHI DISC
2.7- 3.0
2.9
N = NO. OF
MAXIMUM DEPTH SAMPLED AT EACH SITE
» S = NO. OF SITES SAMPLED ON THIS DATE
-------
B. Biological Characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling
Date
06/19/75
10/06/75
Dominant
Genera
1. Cryptomonas
2. Schroederia
3. Cyst
4. Trachelomonas
5. Euglena
Other genera
Total
1. Aphanothece
2. Melosira
3. Chroomonas
4. AsterioneTla
5. Coelosphaerium
Other genera
Total
Algal
Units
Per ml
92
23
23
23
23
184
480
137
137
69
69
113
1,005
-------
2. Chlorophyll a^ -
Sampling Station Chlorophyll a_
Date Number (yg/1)
06/19/75 01 2.5
02 4.0
10/06/75 01 1.3
02 3.8
-------
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked
a. 06/19/75
Spike (mg/1)
Ortho P
Cone, (mg/1)
Control
0.05 P
0.05 P + 1.0 N
1.00 N
b. 10/06/75
Spike (mg/1)
Control
0.05 P
0.05 P + 1.0 N
1.00 N
0.005
0.055
0.055
0.005
Ortho P
Cone, (mg/1)
0.005
0.055
0.055
0.005
Inorganic N
Cone, (mg/1)
0.215
0.215
1.215
1.215
Inorganic N
Cone, (mg/1)
0.155
0.155
1.155
1.155
Maximum Yield
(mg/1-dry wt.)
9.5
20.0
27.3
13.6
Maximum Yield
(mg/1-dry wt.)
0.2
11.0
16.8
0.2
-------
2. Discussion -
The control yields of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum*, indicate that the potential for primary productivity in
Big Lake was high on the summer sampling date (06/19/75) and low
during fall sampling (10/06/75). In the June assay, the addition
of phosphorus and nitrogen separately both stimulated growth beyond
the control yield, suggesting col imitation by the two nutrients.
In the October assay, the increase in yield over that of the control
in response to the addition of phosphorus as well as the lack of
response to the addition of nitrogen, indicates phosphorus limita-
tion. In both assays, maximum growth occurred with the addition of
phosphorus and nitrogen simultaneously.
The mean inorganic nitrogen to orthophosphorus ratios (N/P)
in the lake data were approximately 26/1 and 12/1 in the summer and
fall, respectively, suggesting primary limitation by phosphorus in
the summer and nitrogen limitation in the fall (a mean N/P ratio of
14/1 or greater generally reflects phosphorus limitation).
*For further information regarding the algal assay test procedure
and selection of test organisms, see U.S. EPA (1971).
-------
10
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Rathbun, Ned L. 1974. Personal Communication (lake morphometry).
Arizona Game and Fish Department, Phoenix, Arizona.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1971. Algal Assay Procedure
Bottle Test. National Eutrophication Research Program,
Corvallis, Oregon.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 1975. National Eutrophica-
tion Survey Methods 1973-1976. Working Paper No. 175. National
Environmental Research Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Pacific
Northwest Environmental Research Laboratory, Corvallis, Oregon.
-------
11
VI. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
CONVERSION FACTORS
-------
Hocu r-.s x 'f..f\'t'\ '•'• ai.rc:-.
Kilo•'•••UTS. x O.G2M - wi'lt-r.
Mot-;'. >: 3.281 - f^et
Cubic uK-1-.ers x 0.107 x 1C"4 - acre/feet
Squr-vc kilomTlcvs x 0.3DG1 =- squ.u (- miles
Cubic metcrs/scc x 35.31.5"» cubic feet/sec
Centimeter? x 0.3937 - inches
Kilograms x 2.205 K pounds . -
Kilograms/square kilon^torx 5.711,= Ibs/square mile
-------
APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL DATA
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 76/11/26
NATL EUTROPHICATION 5- -V/EY
EPA-LAS VEGAS
0*0101
33 S3 18.0 1U9 24 53.0 3
bid LAKE
04001
HEPALES 760109 2111202
0022 FEET OEHTh CLASS 00
UATt TIME DEPTH
I-ROM OF
TO DAY FEET
75/06/19 13 00 0000
13 00 0005)
13 00 0013
^5/10/06 10 30 0000
10 30 0005
10 30 0015
10 30 0020
00010
•iATEH
TEMP
CENT
12.5
12. S
12.5
14. SI
14. V
U.9
14.9
00300
00
M6/L
6.2
6.6
7.6
7.8
7.5
7.8
B.O
000/7
SECChI
INCHES
120
00094
CNOUCTVY
FIELD
MICrtUMHO
113
112
113
102
99
98
97
00400
SU
b.15
8.10
8.05
8.50
8.55
8.60
8.60
00410
T ALK
CAC03
MG/L
77
77
78
76
76
7s
76
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.190
0.180
0.200
0.020K
0.020K
0.020K
0.020K
00623
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
1.200
1.000
1.000
0.700
0.600
0.600
0.600
00630
N02&N03
N-TOTAL
Hb/L
0.0*0
0.080
0.090
0.070
0.060
0.060
0.060
00671
PnOS-UIS
OHTnO
K3/L P
0.019
0.015
0.011
0.006
0.004
0.003
O.OOJ
UATE TIME DEPTH
FrtOK! OF
TO DAY FEET
75/06/19 13 00 0000
13 00 0005
13 00 0018
75/10/06 10 30 0000
10 30 0005
10 30 0015
10 30 0020
0665
S-TOT
/L P
0.033
0.037
0.032
0.032
0.022
0.026
0.02?
32217
CHLKPrlYL
A
UG/L
2.5
1.3
00031
INCOT LT
3EMNING
PEKCENT
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE LESS
THAN INDICATED
-------
APPENDIX C
PARAMETRIC RANKINGS OF LAKES
SAMPLED BY NES IN 1975
STATE OF ARIZONA
Mean or median values for six of the key parameters evaluated
in establishing the trophic conditions of Arizona lakes sampled
are presented to allow direct comparison of the ranking, by parameter,
of each lake relative to the others. Median total phosphorus, median
inorganic nitrogen and median dissolved orthophosphorus levels are
expressed in mg/1. Chlorophyll a^ values are expressed in yg/1.
To maintain consistent rank order with the preceding parameters,
the mean Secchi disc depth, in inches, is subtracted from 500.
Similarly, minimum dissolved oxygen values are subtracted from 15
to create table entries.
-------
RETRIEVAL DATE 76/11/26
V-ATL E.UTKOPHICATIOM b" vEY
C.PA-LAS VEGAS
040102
33 52 35.0 109 25 24.0 3
Bib LAKE
04001
11EPALES 760109 211120*!
0024 FEET UEPTH CLASS 00
L»ATt
F*0'"
TO
75/06/19
75/10/06
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
13 20 0000
13 20 0005
13 20 0020
10 15 0000
10 15 0005
10 15 OOib
10 15 0020
00010
• ATER
TC.MH
CENT
12.6
12.6
12.7
IS. 7
15.2
15.0
14.9
00300
DO
MG/L
7.4
6.6
6.0
7.8
7.6
8.0
7.4
OC077
THAwSP
StCCrtl
INCHES
108
00094
CNOUCTVY
FIELD
MICKOMHO
113
114
114
99
99
97
97
00400
f»h
SU
8.00
8.00
8.00
8.65
8.55
8.50
8.45
00410
T ALK
CAC03
MG/L
77
76
77
77
77
76
76
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.220
0.230
0.200
0.020K
0.020K
0.020
0.020
00625
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
1.200
1.000
1.000
0.600
0.600
0.600
0.800
00630
N02&N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.0*0
0.080
0.070
0.060
0.070
0.060
0.070
00671
PHOS-OIS
CMTrtO
MG/L P
0.009
0.009
0.004
0.021
0.009
0.006
0.006
UATE TIME DEPTH
FHOM OF
TO DAY FEET
75/06/19 13 20 0000
13 20 0005
13 20 0020
75/10/06 10 15 0000
10 15 0005
10 15 0015
10 15 0020
0665
b-TOT
/L P
0.038
0.042
0.030
0.050
0.024
0.023
0.049
32217
CHLHPHYL
A
UG/L
4.0
3.8
00031
INCUT LT
SEMNING
PEHCENT
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE LESS
THAN INDICATED
-------
LAKE DATA TO BE USED IN RANKINGS
LAKE
CODE LAKE NAME
0401 BIG LAKE
0402 FOOLS HOLLOW
0403 LAKE HAVASU
040^ LUNA LAKE
0405 LYMAN LAKE
0406 LAKE HOHAVE
0407 LAKE PLEASANT
0408 LAKE POWELL
0409 RAINBOW LAKE
0410 ROOSEVELT LAKE
0411 SAN CARLOS RESERVOIR
3201 LAKE HEAD
MEDIAN
TOTAL P
0*032
0.059
0.015
0.1S2
0.099
0.017
0.027
0.009
0.046
0.020
0.056
0.020
MEDIAN
INORG N
0.090
0.090
0.173
0.050
0.060
0.2
-------
PERCENT OF LAKES WITH HiuriER VALUES (NUMBER OF LAKES WITH HIGHER VALUES)
LAKE
CODE LAKE NAME
0401 BIG LAKE
0402 FOOLS HOLLOW
0403 LAKE HAVASU
0404 LUNA LAKE
0405 LYMAN LAKE
0406 LAKE MOHAVE
0407 LAKE PLEASANT
0408 LAKE POWELL
0409 RAINBOW LAKE
0410 ROOSEVELT LAKE
0411 SAN CARLOS RESERVOIR
3201 LAKE HEAD
MEDIAN
TOTAL P
45 (
18 <
91 (
0 (
9 <
82 (
55 (
100 1
36 1
68 1
27 1
68 1
5)
2)
10)
0)
1)
: 9)
; 6)
; ID
I 4)
I 7)
[ 3)
[ 7)
MEDIAN
INORG N
41 (
41 <
27 <
73 <
64 (
18 1
95 (
9 1
82 <
95 1
•55 I
0 I
4)
; 4)
3)
: 8)
; 7)
; 2)
: 10)
E i)
[ 9)
: io>
[ 6)
t 0)
500-
MEAN SEC
82 (
18 <
64 <
73 (
0 (
91 1
36 I
100 <
45 1
55 *
9 <
27 i
9)
; 2>
; 7)
: 8>
; o)
; 10)
[ 4)
E ID
[ 5)
( 6)
( 1)
( 3)
MEAN
CHLORA
73 (
13 (
55 (
64 (
82 <
36 <
27 (
91 1
0 1
45 1
9 1
100 <
8)
2)
6)
; 7)
! 9)
! 4)
; 3)
[ 10)
[ 0)
[ 5)
[ 1)
I 11)
15-
MIN DO
77 (
9 (
64 I
41 (
77 <
91 <
0 (
41 1
55 1
27 1
18 1
100 !
8)
1)
; 7)
: 4)
: 8)
: 10)
: 0)
I 4)
[ 6)
[ 3)
1 2)
I 11)
MEDIAN
UISS OHTHO
73 (
18 (
91 (
0 <
9 <
32 <
100 (
32 1
45 1
64 1
55 I
82 1
6)
2)
: 10)
: 0)
; i)
; 3)
: ID
1 3)
I 5)
I 7)
I 6)
[ 9)
------- |