U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
        NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION  SURVEY
                  WORKING PAPER SERIES
                                       REPORT
                                        ON
                                     OWASCOLAKE
                                    OWUGACQUNIY
                                      NEW YORK
                                    EPA REGION II
                                 WORKING PAPER No, 163
   PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
                  An Associate Laboratory of the
      NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER • CORVALLIS, OREGON
                           and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH  CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

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                                          REPORT
                                            ON
                                        OWASCOLAKE
                                       CAYUGA COUNTY
                                         NEW YORK
                                       EPA REGION II
                                   WORKING PAPER No, 163
              WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
                        AND THE
                NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD
                    DECEMBER, 1974

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                               CONTENTS
                                                           Page
  Foreword                                                  ii
  List of New York Study Lakes                              iv
  Lake and Drainage Area Map                                 v

  Sections
  I.   Introduction                                           1
 II.   Conclusions                                            1
III.   Lake and Drainage Basin Characteristics                3
 IV.   Lake Water Quality Summary                             4
  V.   Literature Reviewed                                    9
 VI.   Appendices                                            10

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                          £P_R.! W 0 R.D.


     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,b)],
 and water quality monitoring  [§106  and  §305(b)]  activities  mandated
 by the  Federal  Water Pollution Control Act  Amendments  of 1972.

* The lake discussed in this report was included in the National Eutrophica'
  tion Survey as a lake of special  interest to the New York Department of
  Environmental Conservation.  For  this reason,  tributaries and nutrient
  sources were not sampled and this report relates  only to data obtained
  lake sampling.

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                                 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 State 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
 Italo 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.

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                                IV
                  NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY

                            STUDY LAKES

                         STATE OF NEW YORK
LAKE NAME
Allegheny Reservoir

Black
Canada!gua
Cannonsvilie
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

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OWASCO LAKE
 X|	lake jsamp/ina site
                                     76°'IS

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                            OWASCO LAKE
                          STORE! NO. 3627

 I.  INTRODUCTION
        Owasco Lake was Included 1n the National Eutrophication Survey
    as a lake of special Interest to the New York State Department of
    Environmental Conservation.  For this reason, tributaries and nu-
    trient sources were not sampled, and this report relates only to
    data obtained from lake sampling.
n.  CONCLUSIONS
    A.  Trophic Condition:
            Survey data show that Owasco Lake is mesotrophlc.  Of the
        26 New York lakes sampled 1n the fall of 1972, when all essen-
        tially were well-mixed,  one had  less mean total  phosphorus,
        four  had  less mean dissolved phosphorus, and 25  had less mean
        Inorganic nitrogen.   Inorganic nitrogen values were high com-
        pared to  phosphorus  levels  but this  has been observed  1n other
        Survey  lakes with  low  levels of  phosphorus,  For all New York
        data, ten pf the lakes had  less  mean chlorophyll  a, and nine
        hgd  greater Secchi  disc transparency.
             Survey  Hmnologlsts noted  that the  water was very  clear on
        all  sampling dates,  and no  algal blooms were observed.
             Reportedly, Owasco Lake appears to  be  undergoing fairly
         rapid eutrophication (Ketelle  and Uttormark,  1971),

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B.   Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
        The algal assay results show that Owasco Lake was phosphorus
    limited at the time the sample was collected.  Lake data show
    that phosphorus was limiting at the other sampling times as well
    (N/P ratios were greater than 143/1, and phosphorus limitation
    would be expected).

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III.   LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
      A.   Lake Morphometry*:
          1.   Surface area:   6,592 acres.
          2.   Mean depth:   96 feet.
          3.   Maximum depth:   177 feet.
          4.   Volume:  633,104 acre/feet.
      B.   Precipitation:
          1.   Year of sampling:  52.8 inches.
          2.   Mean annual:  37.6 inches.
   * Birge and Juday, 1914.

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IV.   LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
     Owasco 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  two
 stations on the lake and from a  number of depths at each  station  (see
 map,  page v).   During  each  visit,  a  single depth-integrated  15 feet
 to  surface) sample was composited from the stations for phytoplankton
 identification and enumeration;  and  during the  last visit, a single
 five-gallon depth-integrated sample  was  composited  for algal assays.
 Also  each time,  a depth-integrated sample was collected for  chloro-
 phyll a. analysis.  The maximum depths sampled were  144 feet  at sta-
 tion  1  and  45  feet at  station 2.
    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.

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A.  Physical and chemical characteristics;
    Parameter

    Temperature  (Cent.)
    Dissolved oxygen  (mg/1)
    Conductivity  (umhos)
    pH  (units)
    Alkalinity  (ma/1)
    Total P  (mg/1)
    Dissolved P  (mg/1)
    N0? + N03 (mg/1)
    Ammonia  \mg/l)
                                           FALL VALUES

                                           (10/12/72)

                                          Mean       Median
                                  Maximum
II 1 1 1 1 IIIMI"
5.8
8.2
260
7.8
f • w
100
0.007
0.005
0.100
0.020
12.2
9.1
266
8.1
105
0.008
0.005
0.820
0.024
13.5
9.2
260
8.2
105
0.008
0.005
0.900
0.020
14.0
9.4
280
8.3
109
0.010
0.007
1.080
0.050
                                           ALL VALUES
     Secchi  disc  (inches)
90
106
108
                                                                 126

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B.  Biological  characteristics:

    1.   Phytoplankton -
        Sampling
        Date

        05/28/72
       07/24/72
       10/12/72
 Dominant
 Genera

 1.   Dinobryon
 2.   Rhaphidiopsis
 3.   Polycystis
 4.   Cyclotella
 5.   Navicula
     Other  genera
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1,
2.
3.
4.
5.
          Total

 Fragilaria
 Dinobryon
 Flagellates
 Rhaphidiopsis
 Synedra
 Other genera

         Total

 Fragilaria
 Melosira
 Dinobryon
 Flagellates
 Polycystis
Other genera
                         Number
                         per ml
                                                         1,531
                                                        1,627
                                         Total
                            2,651

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        (Because^f Instrumentation problems during the 1972 sampling,
        the  following  values may be in error by plus or minus 20 percent.)
Sampling
Date
05/28/72
07/24/72

10/12/72
Station
Number
01
02
01
02
01
02
Chlorophyll a
(ua/1 )
7.2
29.3
4.6
2r
.6
4.5
3.0
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)    (mq/l-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

        of Owasco  Lake was low at the time the assay sample was

        collected.   Increasing yields with increasing levels of phos-

        phorus, and  the lack of  increase  in yield with the addition
0.005
0.015
0.025
0.055
0.055
0.055
0.005
1.026
1.026
1.026
1.026
6.026
11.026
11.026
0.2
1.4
5.5
17.1
11.6
12.6
0.1

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                     8
of only nitrogen, indicate that the lake was phosphorus
limited at the time the sample was collected.  Lake data
at that time, as well as the other sampling times, indicate
that Owasco Lake is phosphorus limited (N/P ratios were
above 143/1).'

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LITERATURE REVIEWED

Blrge, Edward A., and Chancey Juday, 1914.   A limnological  study
    of the Finger Lakes of New York.  Bull.  32, U.S.  Bur.  Fish.

Ketelle, Martha J., and Paul D. Uttormark,  1971.  Problem lakes  of
    the United States.  EPA Water Poll. Contr. Res.  Ser.,  Proj.
    #16010 EHR.

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        APPENDIX A
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA

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 STORET RETRIEVAL  DATE  74/11/36
                                                                  3
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STORE! RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/26
                                                                  362702
                                                                 42 53 40.0 076 32 13.0
                                                                 OWASCO LAKE
                                                                 36      NEW YORK
DATE
FROM
TO
72/05/28


72/07/24




72/10/12





00010
TIME DEPTH WATER
OF TEMP
DAY FEET
11
11
11
14
14
14
14
14
09
09
09
09
09
09
17
17
17
00
00
00
00
00
05
05
05
05
05
05
0000
0010
0020
0000
0004
0015
0030
0045
0000
0004
0015
0022
0031
0040
CENT
14.
13.
13.

?3.
20.
14.
11.

14.
14.
13.
13.
14.

5
8
7

0
5
4
0

0
0
8
9
0
00300
DO
MG/L
11
11
11

9
. 7
a
q

9
9
9
9
9

.7
.8
.8

.0
.6
.2
.0

.3
.4
.4
.2
.2
11EPALES

00077
TRANSP
SECCHI
INCHES
90


IIP




108






00094
CNDUCTVY
FIELD
MICROMHO
315
310
315
?80
280
280
290
290
275
260
260
260
260
260
3
00400
PH

SU
8.30
8.30
8.30
8.50
8.50
8.00
8.00
8.00
7.90
8.00
8.10
8.20
8.20
8.25

00410
T ALK
CAC03
MG/L
116
114
114
112
112
107
105
107
103
100
101
106
102
100
2111202
0030
00630
N02&N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.940
0.900
0.900
0.900
0.920
0.970
1.060
1.010
0.890
O.B90
0.890
0.880
0.890
0.880
FEET DEF
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.020
0.030
0.050
0.020
0.050
0.060
0.040
0.040
0.020
0.020
0.030
0.020
0.050
0.020
                                                                                                      00665     00666
                                                                                                    PHOS-TOT  PHOS-DIS
                                                                                                     MG/L P

                                                                                                       0.012
                                                                                                       0.013
                                                                                                       0.011
                                                                                                       0.012
                                                                                                       0.014
                                                                                                       0.013
                                                                                                       0.011
                                                                                                       0.015
                                                                                                       0.009
                                                                                                       0.008
                                                                                                       0.008
                                                                                                       0.008
                                                                                                       0.008
                                                                                                       0.009
MG/L P

  0.006
  0.003
  0.003
  0.010
  0.006
  0.006
  0.006
  0.006
  0.006
  0.005
  0.005
  0.005
  0.005
  0.006
                       32217
   DATE   TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
   FROM    OF           A
    TO    DAY  FEET    UG/L

  72/05/28 11 17 0000     29.3J
  72/07/24 14 00 0000      2.6J
  72/10/1? 09 05 0000      3.0J
               J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR

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