U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
HUNTING™ LAIC
SULLIVAN COUNTY
NEW YORK
EPA REGION II
WORKING PAPER No, 159
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
-------
REPORT
ON
HUNTINGION LAKE
SULLIVAN COUN1Y
NEW YORK
EPA REGION II
WORKING PAPER No, 159
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
AND THE
NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD
DECEMBER, 1974
-------
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword i i
List of New York 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 12
VI. Appendices 13
-------
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
reservoi rs.
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»b)],
and water quality monitoring [§106 and §305(b)] activities mandated
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
-------
iii
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 New York Department of
Environmental Conservation for professional involvement and to
the New York National Guard for conducting the tributary sampling
phase of the Survey.
Henry L. Diamond, Commissioner of the New York Department of
Environmental Conservation, and Leo J. Hetling, Director, and
Halo G. Carcich, Senior Sanitary Engineer, Environmental Quality
Research, Department of Environmental Conservation, provided
invaluable lake documentation and counsel during the Survey.
Major General John C. Baker, the Adjutant General of New York,
and Project Officer Lieutenant Colonel Fred Peters, who directed
the volunteer efforts of the New York National Guardsmen, are also
gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
-------
IV
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES
STATE OF NEW YORK
LAKE NAME
Allegheny Reservoir
Black
Canadaigua
Cannonsville
Carry Falls
Cassadaga
Cayuga
Champlain
Chautauqua
Conesus
Cross
Goodyear
Huntington
Keuka
Long
Lower St. Regis
Otter
Owasco
Raquette Pond
Round
Sacandaga Res.
Saratoga
Schroon
Seneca
Swan
Swinging Bridge Res.
COUNTY
Cattaraugas, NY; McLean,
Warren, PA
St. Lawrence
Ontario
Delaware
St. Lawrence
Chautauqua
Seneca, Tompkins
Clinton, Essex, NY; Addison,
Chittenden, Franklin, VT
Chautauqua
Livingston
Cayuga, Onondaga
Otsego
Sullivan
Ontario
Hami1 ton
Franklin
Cayuga
Cayuga
Franklin
Saratoga
Fulton, Saratoga
Saratoga
Essex, Warren
Seneca, Schyler, Yates
Sullivan
Sullivan
-------
HUNTINGTON LAKE
® Tributary Sampling Site
X Lake Sampling Site
f Direct Drainage Area Boundary
0 | t 1/2
Scale
Lake
Huntington
75-00'
HUNTtNGTQN
LAKE
4l'42'
4141'.
Map Location
74*59'
-------
LAKE HUNTINGTON
STORE! NO. 3615
I. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Although Huntington Lake received a very small phosphorus
load during the sampling year, survey data indicate that the
lake is eutrophic. Of the 26 lakes sampled in the fall of 1972,
when essentially all were well-mixed, 10 had less mean total
phosphorus, 11 had less mean dissolved phosphorus, and 23 had
less inorganic nitrogen. For all New York data, 10 lakes had
less mean chlorophyll a., and five lakes had greater Secchi disc
transparency.
Near-depletion of dissolved oxygen with depth occurred in
July and October.
B. Rate-Limi ting Nutrient:
Algal assay results show that Huntington Lake was phosphorus
limited at the time the sample was collected. The lake data in-
dicate phosphorus limitation at all sampling occasions; i.e., N/P
ratios were always greater than 14/1, and phosphorus limitation
would be expected.
C. Nutrient Controllability:
1. Point sources—During the sampling year, Huntington Lake
received a total phosphorus load at a rate less than that proposed
by Vollenweider (in press) as "permissible"; i.e., an oligotrophic
-------
rate. Of that load, it is estimated that septic tanks contri-
buted about 12%. However, in view of the oligotrophic loading
rate, point-source control is not likely to significantly im-
prove the trophic condition of Huntington Lake.
2. Non-point sources (see page 11)—The phosphorus export
of the unnamed stream at station A-l appears to be somewhat
higher than the exports of tributaries to nearby Swinging Bridge
p
Reservoir* (mean export of four streams was 59 Ibs/mi /yr). How-
2
ever, the drainage area at station A-l is very small (0.2 mi )
and only a minor change in the total phosphorus loading would
result in a sizeable change in the export rate.
In all, it is calculated that non-point sources contributed
about 88% of the rather small phosphorus load to the lake.
Working Paper No. 172.
-------
II. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometry :
1. Surface area: 83 acres.
2. Mean depth: unknown.
3. Maximum depth: >33 feet.
4. Volume: unknown.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: unknown.
B. Tributary and Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
1. Tributaries -
Name Drainage area* Mean flow*
Unnamed stream (A-l) 0.2 mi2 0.3 cfs
Minor tributaries & ?
immediate drainage - 0.4 mi 0.7 cfs
Totals 0.6 mi2
1.0 cfs
2. Outlet -
Unnamed stream (B-l) 0.7 mi ** 1.0 cfs
C. Precipitation:
1. Year of sampling***: 53 inches.
2. Mean annual: 40 inches.
t Greeson and Robison, 1970.
Drainage areas are accurate within ±5%, except for small basins (±10%);
mean daily flows are accurate within ±5 to 25%; and normalized mean
monthly flows are accurate within ±15%.
* Includes area of lake.
** See Working Paper No. 1, "Survey Methods".
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III. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Huntington Lake 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 a single station (see map, page v). During each visit, a
single depth-integrated (15 feet to surface) sample was collected for
phytoplankton identification and enumeration; and during the last visit,
a single five-gallon depth-Integrated sample was taken for algal assays.
Also each time, a depth-integrated sample was collected for chlorophyll a.
analysis. The maximum depth sampled was 33 feet.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix B, and the
data for the fall sampling period, when the lake was essentially 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.) 8.7
Dissolved oxygen (mg/1) 0.6
Conductivity (pmhos) 80
pH (units) 6.2
Alkalinity (mg/1) 14
Total P (mg/1) 0.013
Dissolved P (mg/1) 0.007
N09 + NO, (mg/1) 0.020
Amfflonia fmg/1) 0.110
FALL VALUES
(10/11/72)
Mean Median
Maximum
12.9
5.0
86
6.4
21
0.028
0.013
0.028
0.780
14.3
5.7
82
6.4
14
0.015
0.007
0.020
0.110
14.4
8.2
105
6.6
31
0.053
0.024
0.040
1.790
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 132
138
138
144
-------
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling
Date
05/21/72
07/07/72
10/11/72
Dominant
Genera
1. Dinobryon
2. Gloeocapsa
3. Scenedesmus
4. Ankistrodesmus
5. Cyclotella
Other genera
Total
1. Anabaena
2. Gloeocapsa
3. Fragilaria
4. Dinobryon
5. Navicula
Other genera
Total
1. Anabaena
2. Fragilaria
3. Lyngbya
4. Gloeocapsa
5. Chroococcus
Other genera
Number
per ml
2,224
524
416
289
289
327
4,069
246
211
116
100
85
528
1,286
447
306
181
80
70
382
Total
1,466
-------
2. Chlorophyll a_ -
(Because of Instrumentation problems during the 1972 sampling,
the following values may be in error by plus or minus 20 percent.)
Sampling Station Chlorophyll a^
Date Number (yg/1)
05/21/72 01 1.8
07/07/72 01 9.0
10/11/72 01 8.4
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N Maximum yield
Spike (mg/1) Cone, (mg/1) Cone, (mg/1) (mg/1-dry wt.)
Control
0.010 P
0.020 P
0.050 P
0.050 P + 5.0 N
0.050 P + 10.0 N
10.0 N
2. Discussion -
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum, indicates that the potential primary productivity
was moderately high at the time the sample was collected.
Also, the increased yields with increased orthophosphorus
(to about 36 yg/1), and the lack of response when only nitro-
gen was added, indicates the lake was phosphorus limited.
The lake data indicate phosphorus limitation at all samp-
ling times. The nitrogen to phosphorus ratios were 26 to 1
or greater, and phosphorus limitation would be expected.
0.016
0.026
0.036
0.066
0.066
0.066
0.016
0.291
0.291
0.291
0.291
5.291
10.291
10.291
2.1
6.8
7.4
11.4
20.4
22.5
1.2
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8
IV. NUTRIENT LOADINGS
(See Appendix C for data)
For the determination of nutrient loadings, the New York National
Guard collected monthly near-surface grab samples from each of the
tributary sites indicated on the map (page v), except for the high
runoff months of April and May when two samples were collected. Samp-
ling was begun in November, 1972, and was completed in October, 1973.
Through an interagency agreement, stream flow estimates for the
year of sampling and a "normalized" or average year were provided by
the New York District Office of the U.S. Geological Survey for the
tributary sites nearest the lake.
In this report, nutrient loads for sampled tributaries were deter-
mined by using a modification of a U.S. Geological Survey computer
program for calculating stream loadings*. Nutrient loadings for un-
sampled "minor tributaries and immediate drainage" ("ZZ" of U.S.G.S.)
o
were estimated using the nutrient loads, in Ibs/mi /year, at station
2
A-l and multiplying by the ZZ area in mi .
Other than septic tanks, there are no known point sources impacting
Huntington Lake.
* See Working Paper No. 1.
-------
A. Annual Total Phosphorus Loading - Average Year:
1. Inputs -
Ibs P/ % of
Source j^r total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) -
Unnamed stream (A-l) 20 25.0
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non-point load) - 40 50.0
c. Known municipal - None
d. Septic tanks* - 10 12.5
e. Known industrial - None
f. Direct precipitation** - 1_0 12.5
Total 80 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - Unnamed stream (B-l) 40
3. Net annual P accumulation - 40 pounds
Estimate based on 22 lakeshore dwellings; see Working Paper No. 1
* See Working Paper No. 1.
-------
10
B. Annual Total Nitrogen Loading - Average Year:
1. Inputs -
Ibs N/ % of
Source yr total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) -
Unnamed stream (A-l) 600 19.2
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non-point load) - 1,200 38.5
c. Known municipal - None
d. Septic tanks* - 520 16.7
e. Known industrial - None
f. Direct precipitation** - 800 25.6
Total 3,120 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - Unnamed stream (B-l) 1,510
3. Net annual N accumulation - 1,610 pounds
* Estimate based on 22 lakeshore dwellings; see Working Paper No. 1
** See Working Paper No. 1.
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11
C. Mean Annual Non-point Nutrient Export by Subdrainage Area:
Tributary Ibs P/mi2/yr Ibs N/mi2/yr
Unnamed stream (A-l) 100 3,000
D. 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 water 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".
Total Phosphorus Total Nitrogen
Units
Ibs/acre/yr
grams/mvyr
Total
0.96
0.11
Accumulated
0.48
0.05
Total
37.6
4.2
Accumulated
19.4
2.2
Vollenweider loading rates for phosphorus
(g/ro /yr) based on surface area and mean
outflow of Huntington Lake:
"Dangerous" (eutrophic rate) 0.32
"Permissible" (oligotrophic rate) 0.16
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12
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Greeson, Phillip E., and F. Luman Robison, 1970. Characteristics
of New York lakes. Part 1 - Gazetter of lakes, ponds, and
reservoirs. Bull. 68, U.S. Dept. Int. and NY Dept. Env. Cons.,
Albany.
Vollenweider, Richard A. (in press). Input-output models. Schweiz,
A. Hydrol.
-------
13
VII. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
-------
TRIBUTARY FLOW INFORMATION FOR N£W YORK
11/36/74
LAKE CODE 3615 HUNTINGTON LAKE
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE
SUB-DRAINAGE
TRIBUTARY
3615A1
361581
3615ZZ
0.70
NORMALIZED FLOWS
PEA
0.19
0.70
0.51
JAN
0.29
1.08
0.79
FEB
0.31
1.15
0.84
MAR
0.58
1.56
APR
0.64
2.35
1.71
MAY
0.35
1.30
0.95
JUN
0.15
0.55
0.40
JUL
0.09
0.34
0.25
AUG
0.11
0.41
0.30
SEP
0.07
0.27
0.19
OCT
0.11
0.41
0.30
NOV
0.21
0.78
0.57
DEC
0.28
1.01
0.73
MtftN
0.27
0.98
0.71
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE = 0.70
SUM OF SUB-DRAINAGE AREAS = 0.70
MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS AND DAILY FLOWS
TRIBUTARY MONTH YEAR MEAN FLOW DAY
3615A1
3615B1
3615ZZ
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1?
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
\0
72
72
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
72
72
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
72
72
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
73
71
0.48
0.41
0.21
0.18
0.21
0.45
0.41
0.25
0.1?
0.17
0.05
0.05
3.49
2.95
1.54
1.28
1.33
2.88
2.61
3.75
1.86
5.70
1.31
1.23
3.01
2.54
1.33
1.10
1.12
2.43
2.?0
3.50
1.74
5.53
1.26
1.1R
4
2
6
3
3
7
5
2
7
4
7
6
4
2
6
3
3
7
5
2
7
4
7
6
2
7
4
7
fe
FLOW DAY
0.10
0.30
0.21
0.78
0.09
0.64
0.14
0.16
0.11
0.34
0.05
0.05
0.68
2.14
1.51
5.60
0.68
4.01
0.88
2.43
1.68
11.50
1.35
1.48
4
21
18
4
21
20
2.27
1.57
11.20
1.30
1.43
SUMMARY
TOTAL FLOW IN = 11.78
TOTAL FLOW OUT = 11.79
FLOW DAY
0.62
0*14
1.78
FLOW
4.46
0.91
11.40
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APPENDIX 8
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STORE! RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/26
361501
41 40 58.0 074 59 27.0
HUNTINGTON LAKE
36 NEW YORK
11EPALES
3
2111202
0020 FEET
DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/05/21
72/07/22
72/10/11
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
16 00 0000
14 00 0006
14 00 0016
12 20 0000
12 20 0004
12 20 0015
12 20 0020
12 20 0033
16 30 0000
16 30 0004
16 30 0015
16 30 0020
16 30 0028
00010
MATER
TEMP
CENT
17.7
16.fi
9.4
28.0
18.5
13.3
6.8
14.4
14.4
14.2
8.7
00300
DO
MG/L
8.9
9.7
10.6
7.4
9.0
4.2
0.4
8.1
8.2
3.3
0.6
00077
TRANSP
SECCHI
INCHES
144
132
00094
CNDUCTVY
FIFLD
MICROMHO
60
80
80
80
80
80
90
100
83
80
80
82
105
00400
PH
SU
7.30
7.30
6.60
7.80
7.90
7.90
6.50
6.60
6.30
6.50
6.55
6.40
6.20
00410
T ALK
CAC03
MG/L
10K
11
13
14
14
16
16
27
14
14
14
31
30
00630
N02&N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.200
0.210
0.260
0.040
0.040
0.180
0.180
0.040
0.020
0.020
0.020
0.040
0.040
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.060
0.030
0.030
0.060
0.080
0.120
0.120
0.810
0.110
0.110
0.110
1.790
1.790
00665
PHOS-TOT
MG/L P
0.014
0.013
0.032
0.012
0.012
0.021
0.018
0.059
0.015
0.014
0.013
0.053
0.047
00666
PHOS-DIS
MG/L P
0.003
0.013
0.015
0.008
0.008
0.013
0.010
0.018
0.007
0.007
0.007
0.020
0.024
32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/05/21 14 00 0000 1.8J
72/07/2? 12 20 0000 9.0J
72/10/11 16 30 0000 8.*»J
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE LESS
THAN INDICATED
J VALUE KNOWN TO 8E TN ERROR
-------
APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY DATA
-------
STORE! RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/26
3615A1 LS3615A1
41 41 00.0 074 59 30.0
UNNAMED BROOK
36077 7.5 LK HUNTINGTO
T/LAKE HUNTINGTON
BRDG ALONG NE PART OF LAKE
11EPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET
DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/11/04
72/12/02
73/01/06
73/02/03
73/03/03
73/04/07
73/04/21
73/05/05
73/05/18
73/06/02
73/07/07
73/08/04
73/09/07
73/10/06
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
14 00
13 15
11 20
13 05
12 20
14 00
14 00
11 00
15 00
14 30
14 45
14 30
15 00
15 15
00630 00625
N028.N03 TOT KJEL
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.670
0.371
0.378
0.240
0.340
0.294
0.350
0.280
0.154
0.132
0.290
0.230
0.550
0.390
N
MG/L
0.480
0.260
0.340
0*240
0.270
3.360
0.860
0.400
0.850
0.960
1.200
0.440
1.600
0.560
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.105
0.031
0.024
0.060
0.092
0.095
0.089
0.092
0.210
0.073
0.038
0.02R
0.123
0.090
00671 00665
PHOS-DIS PHOS-TOT
ORTHO
MG/L P
0.019
0.015
0.011
0.016
0.019
0.014
0.028
0.058
0.016
0.016
0.024
0*026
0.028
MG/L P
0.021
0.026
0.017
0.040
0.045
0.035
0*050
0.080
0.025
0.040
0.040
0*035
0.040
0.045
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5TORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/26
3615B1 LS3615B1
41 40 30.0 074 59 30.0
UNNAMED BKOOK
36 7.5 LK HUNTINGTO
0/LAKE HUNTINGTON
BUFF RO BROG SE OF TOWN OF HUNTINGTON LK
11EPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/11/04
72/12/02
73/01/06
73/02/03
73/03/03
73/04/07
73/04/21
73/05/05
73/05/18
73/06/02
73/07/07
73/08/04
73/10/06
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
14 05
13 25
11 25
13 15
12 30
14 20
14 20
11 05
15 50
15 00
15 00
14 40
15 30
00630
N02&N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.051
0.110
0.150
0.190
0.220
0.230
0.198
0.189
0.160
0.120
0.010K
0.022
0.033
00625
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
0.330
0.630
0.480
0.380
0.500
1.100
0.780
0.180
1.150
0.500
0.690
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.047
0.160
0.100
0.115
0.138
0.140
0.046
0.050
0.012
0.126
0.039
0.006
0.060
00671
PHOS-DIS
OPTHO
MG/L P
0.005K
0.005K
0.005K
0.005K
0.005K
0.005K
0.005K
0.009
0.005K
0.011
0.005K
0.007
0.012
00665
PHOS-TOT
MG/L P
0.160
0.016
0.014
0.015
0.016
0.030
0.015
0.015
0.015
0.030
0.015
0.015
0.030
K VALUE KNOWN TO RE
LESS THAN INDICATED
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