U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
BRUSH LAKE
MCLEAN COUNTY
NORTH DAKOTA
EPA REGION VIII
WORKING PAPER No, 567
CORVALLIS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & SUPPORT LABORATORY - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
699-440
-------
REPORT
ON
BRUSH LAKE
MCLEAN COIMY
NORTH DAKOTA
EPA REGION VIII
WORKING PAPER No, 567
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
NORTH DAKOTA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND THE
NORTH DAKOTA NATIONAL GUARD
OCTOBER, 1976
-------
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword i i
List of North Dakota Study Lakes and Reservoirs iv
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 8
VI. Appendices 9
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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 freshwater 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(ej], 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
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 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 North Dakota State Depart-
ment of Health for professional involvement, to the North Dakota
National Guard for conducting the tributary sampling phase of the
Survey, and to those North Dakota wastewater treatment plant oper-
ators who voluntarily provided effluent samples and flow data.
Norman L. Peterson, Director, and the staff of the Division
of Water Supply and Pollution Control of the Department of Health,
provided invaluable lake documentation and counsel during the
Survey, reviewed the preliminary reports, and provided critiques
most useful in the preparation of this Working Paper series.
Major General LaClair A. Mel house, the Adjutant General of
North Dakota, and Project Officer Colonel Irvin M. Sande, who
directed the volunteer efforts of the North Dakota National
Guardsmen, are also gratefully acknowledged for their assistance
to the Survey.
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IV
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES AND RESERVOIRS
STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA
NAME COUNTY
Ashtabula Barnes, Griggs
Audubon McLean
Brush McLean
Darling Renville, Ward
Devils Benson, Ramsey
Jamestown Stutsman
LaMoure LaMoure
Matejcek Walsh
Metigoshe Bottineau
Pelican Bottineau
Sakakawea Dunn, McKenzie,
McLean, Mercer,
Mountrail, Wil-
liams
Spiritwood Stutsman
Sweet Briar Morton
Whitman Nelson, Walsh
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'Xi
Map Location!
10044 00
m I m
XX) 43 30
BRUSH LAKE
X Lake Sampling Site
Km.
1/4 Mi.
Scale
100*4300"
473200-
4731
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BRUSH LAKE
STORE! NO. 3803
I. INTRODUCTION
Brush Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as
a water body of interest to the North Dakota Department of Health.
Tributaries and nutrient sources were not sampled, and this report
relates only to the lake sampling data.
Brush Lake is one of North Dakota's smaller lakes; however, it has
a high recreational use, and a considerable number of cabins are located
along the shoreline. The lake level is maintained by runoff from sur-
rounding agricultural areas as there are no feeder streams to Brush Lake
(Peterson, 1974).
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data indicate that Brush Lake is eutrophic. This lake
ranked fourth in overall trophic quality when the 14 North Dakota
lakes sampled in 1974 were compared using a combination of six
parameters*. Three lakes had less median total phosphorus, two
had less and one had the same median dissolved phosphorus, three
had less median inorganic nitrogen, eight had less mean chloro-
phyll a_, and eight had greater mean Secchi disc transparency.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results are not considered to be representative
See Appendix A.
-------
2
of conditions In the lake at the time of sampling because of
significant changes In nutrients In the sample between the time
of collection and the beginning of the assay.
The lake data indicate phosphorus limitation in April and
nitrogen limitation in July and September.
-------
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS1"
A. Lake Morphometry :
1. Surface area: 0.81 kilometers2.
2. Mean depth: 2.5 meters.
3. Maximum depth: 5.8 meters.
4. Volume: 2.025 x 106 m3.
B. Precipitation*:
1. Year of sampling: 53.1 centimeters.
2. Mean annual: 47.0 centimeters.
t Table of metric equivalents—Appendix B.
tt Henegar, 1975.
* See Working Paper No. 175, "...Survey Methods, 1973-1976".
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4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Brush Lake was sampled three times during the open-water season
of 1974 by means of a pontoon-equipped Huey helicopter. Samples for
physical and chemical parameters were collected from four stations on
the lake and from a number of depths at each station (see map, page v).
Station 1 was sampled three times, station 2 was sampled twice, and
stations 3 and 4 were sampled once. During each visit, a single depth-
integrated (4.6 m or near bottom to surface) sample was composited from
the stations for phytoplankton identification and enumeration; and during
the April and September visits, a single 18.9-liter depth-Integrated sample
was composited for algal assays from stations 1 and 2. Also, a depth-
integrated sample was collected from each of the stations for chlorophyll
a_ analysis. The maximum depths sampled were 3.0 meters at station 1, 6.1
meters at station 2, 2.1 meters at station 3, and near-surface only at
station 4.
The sampling results are presented in full in Appendix C and are
summarized in the following table.
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PARAMETER
TEMP JO
OISS OXY (MG/L)
CNOCTVY
PH (STAND UNITS)
TOT ALK (MG/L)
TOT P (MG/L)
ORTHO P (MG/L)
N02*N03 (MG/L)
AMMONIA (MG/L)
KJEL N (MG/L)
INORG N (MG/D
TOTAL N (HG/L)
CHLRPYL A (UG/L)
SECCHI (METERS)
A. SUMMARY OF PHYSICAL AND
1ST SAMPLING ( 4/26/74)
2 SITES
RANGE MEAN MEDIAN
9.8 - 10.4 10.1 9.9
10.0 - 10.2 10.1 10.2
720. - 730. 726. 72o.
8.5 - 8.6 8.6 8.5
338. - 425. 398. 400.
0.072 - 0.148 0.092 0.079
0.008 - 0.011 0.010 0.010
0.040 - 0.100 0.063 0.060
0.080 - 0.100 0.087 0.090
1.500 - 2.400 1.786 1.700
0.130 - 0.190 0.150 0.140
1.560 - 2.450 1.849 1.770
5.8 - 5.8 5.8 5.8
1.8 - 1.9 1.9 1.9
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOH BRUSH LAKE
STUHET CODE 3803
2ND SAMPLING ( 7/16/74)
3 SITES
RANGE
24.2 - 25.1
6.0 - 7.2
1212. - 1236.
8.6 - 9.0
295. - 415.
0.048 - 0.077
0.008 - 0.01U
0.040 - 0.050
0.040 - 0.060
1.600 - 2.200
0.080 - 0.110
1.640 - 2.240
32.9 - 62.6
1.1 - 1.2
MEAN
24.5
6.6
1222.
8.8
354.
0.060
0.013
0.047
0.047
1.800
0.093
1.847
48.7
1.2
MEDIAN
24.3
6.4
1221.
8.7
366.
0.058
0.011
0.050
0.045
1.650
0.090
1.700
50.6
1.1
3RU SAMPLING ( 9/13/74)
a SITES
RANGE MEAN MEDIAN
12.1 - 13.0 12.6 13.0
8.4 - 9.0 8.8 8.8
H<*5. - 866. 858. 866.
8.5 - 8.6 8.5 8.5
505. - 670. 574. 525.
0.041 - 0.053 0.046 0.049
0.009 - 0.013 0.010 0.009
0.020 - 0.040 0.024 0.020
0.040 - 0.050 0.044 0.040
1.800 - 2.200 1.980 2.000
0.060 - 0.090 0.068 0.060
1.820 - 2.240 2.004 2.020
21.6 - 24.b 23.0 23.0
0.9 - 0.9 0.9 0.9
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B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling
Date
04/26/74
07/16/74
09/13/74
2. Chlorophyll a_ -
Sampling
Date
04/26/74
07/16/74
09/13/74
Dominant
Genera
1. Cryptomonas sp_.
2. Chroomonas sp.
3. Elakatothrix S£.
4. Asterionella sp_.
5. Synura sp_.
Total
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Melosira sp.
Fragilaria sp.
Anabaena sp.
Chroomonas sp.
Schroederia sp.
Other genera
Total
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Microcystis sp.
Fragilaria sp.
Oocystis sp.
Chroomonas sp.
Cryptomonas sp.
Other genera
Total
Station
Number
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
1
2
3
4
Algal Units
per ml
1,459
9,151
7,215
Chlorophyll a
(ug/1)
5.8
5.8
62.6
50.6
32.9
24.5
21.6
-------
7
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
The algal assay results are not considered to be representative
of conditions in the lake at the time of sampling because of sig-
nificant changes in nutrient levels in the sample between the
time of collection and the beginning of the assay.
The lake data indicate phosphorus limitation in April (the
mean inorganic nitrogen/orthophosphorus ratio was 15/1) but nitro-
gen limitation in July and September (the mean N/P ratio was 7/1
both times).
-------
8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Henegar, Dale, 1975. Personal communication (lake morphometry).
ND Game & Fish Dept., Bismarck.
Peterson, Norman L., 1974. Personal communication (general lake
information). ND Dept. of Health, Bismarck.
-------
VI. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
LAKE RANKINGS
-------
LAKE DATA TO BE USED IN RANKINGS
LAKE
CODE LAKE NAME
3901 LAKE A5HTA8ULA
3803 LAKE AUOUBON
3003 BRUSH LAKE
3804 LAKE DARLING
3805 DEVILS LAKE
3806 JAMESTOWN RESERVOIR
3807 LAKE LA HOURE
3808 HATEJCEK LAKE
3809 LAKE METI60SHE
3811 PELICAN LAKE
3812 LAKE SAKAKAWEA (GARRISON
3813 SPIRIT MOOD LAKE
3B14 SWEET BRIAR RESERVOIR
3815 WHITMAN LAKE
MEDIAN
TOTAL P
0.260
0.0<*7
O.Obb
0.274
0.6 JO
0.144
0.438
0.228
0.032
0.034
0.016
0.156
0.093
0.260
MEDIAN
INOHG N
0.160
0.220
0.095
0.250
0.1*0
0.365
0.380
0.440
o.oao
0.070
0.150
0.290
0.090
0.260
SCO-
MEAN SEC
472.250
446.222
44V. 143
466. 750
444.333
438.667
421.400
475.167
389.167
364.500
408.733
417.833
440.800
478.333
MEAN
CHLORA
40.892
1 1 . 322
29.114
60.075
38.508
19.400
19.720
2.683
10.367
10.950
6.883
34.667
39.000
27.067
15-
MIN DO
10.600
11.000
9.000
11.600
14.600
8.800
15.000
14.400
9.000
12.800
10.800
15.000
8.800
9.200
MEDIAN
OISS ORTHO P
0.170
0.015
0.010
0.180
0.469
0.07B
0.290
0.179
0.010
0.006
0.007
0.082
0.031
0.185
-------
PERCENT OF LAKES WITH HIGHER VALUES (NUMBER OF LAKES WITH HIGHE* VALUES)
LAKE
CODE LAKE NAME
3801 LAKE ASHTABULA
380? LAKE AUDlldON
3803 BHUiH LAKE
3804 LAKE DAKLING
3805 DEVILS LAKE
380b JAMESTOWN RESERVOIR
3807 LAKE LA MOURE
3808 MATEJCEK LAKE
3809 LAKE HETIGOSHE
3811 PELICAN LAKE
3812 LAKE SAKAKAWEA (GARRISON
3813 SPIRIT WOOD LAKE
3814 SHEET BRIAR
3815 WHITMAN LAKE
MEDIAN
TOTAL P
?7 (
69 (
77 «
15 «
0 (
54 (
8 (
38 (
92 (
85 (
100 <
46 (
62 (
27 <
3)
9)
10)
2)
0)
7)
D
5)
12)
11)
13)
6)
8)
3)
MEDIAN
b4 (
46 (
77 <
38 (
69 (
15 (
8 (
0 (
92 <
100 (
62 <
23 <
85 <
31 (
7)
b)
10)
5)
9)
21
1)
0)
12)
13)
8)
3)
11)
4)
500-
MEAN SEC
15 (
46 (
38 I
23 1
31 1
62 1
69 (
8 1
92 1
100 1
85 <
77 1
54 1
0 <
2)
b)
: b)
; 3)
: 4>
[ 8)
[ 9)
1 1)
[ 12)
! 13)
I ID
1 10)
; 7)
I 0)
MEAN
CHLOKA
8 (
69 <
38 I
0 (
23 (
62 (
b4 (
100 1
85 (
77 (
92 (
31 (
IS (
46 (
1>
9)
5)
0)
3)
8)
7)
13)
11)
10)
12)
4)
2>
6)
15-
MIN oo
62 (
46 (
81 (
38 (
15 <
96 I
4 1
23 <
81 1
31 1
54 (
4 1
96 (
69 1
8)
b)
10)
5)
2)
! 12)
: 0)
1 3)
1 10)
! 4)
! 7)
I 0)
1 12)
[ 9)
MEDIAN
OISS ORTHO P
38 (
69 (
81 (
23 (
0 (
54 <
8 (
31 (
81 (
100 (
92 (
46 (
62 <
15 (
5)
9)
10)
3)
0)
7)
1)
4)
10)
13) '
12)
6)
8)
2)
INDEX
NO
20*
345
392
137
138
343
151
200
523
493
485
227
374
188
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LAKES RANKED BY INDEX NOS.
RANK LAKE CODE LAKE NAME INDEX NO
LAR.E MtUGOihE 523
2 3rtll ^ELICAN LAM! <»91
j 3812 LAKE SAKAKAMEA (GAPHISON 485
4 3803 BRUSH LAKE 392
S 3814 SWEET tiHIAR rtESEHVOIR 375
7 3806 JAMESTOWN RESEflVOIK 3<»3
8 3U13 SPIRIT WOOD LAKE 227
9 3801 LAKE ASHTABULA 204
10 3808 MATEJCEK LAKE 200
11 3815 WHITMAN LAKE 188
12 3807 LAKE LA MOUKE 151
13 3805 DEVILS LAKE 138
14 3804 LAKE OAKLING 137
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APPENDIX B
CONVERSION FACTORS
-------
CONVERSION FACTORS
Hectares x 2.471 = acres
Kilometers x 0.6214 = miles
Meters x 3.281 = feet
Cubic meters x 8.107 x 10 = acre/feet
Square kilometers x 0.3861 = square miles
Cubic meters/sec x 35.315 = cubic feet/sec
Centimeters x 0.3937 = inches
Kilograms x 2.205 = pounds
Kilograms/square kilometer x 5.711 = Ibs/square mile
-------
APPENDIX C
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 75/11/07
3c0301
47 33 25.0 100 42 tS.Q
BrtUSM LAKE
38055 NOMTH DAKOTA
DATE
FROM
TO
74/04/26
74/07/16
74/09/13
DATE
FROM
TO
74/04/26
74/07/16
74/09/13
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
14 40 0000
14 40 OOOS
14 40 0010
14 40 0000
14 40 0005
14 40 0009
14 00 0000
14 00 0005
14 00 0009
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
14 40 0000
14 40 0005
14 40 0010
14 40 0000
14 40 0005
14 40 0009
14 00 0000
14 00 0005
14 00 0009
00010
WATER
TEMP
CENT
10.4
10.4
10.4
24.4
24.3
24.2
13.0
13.0
13.0
00665
PHOS-TOT
MO/L P
0.072
0.079
0.119
0.069
0.077
0.063
0.041
0.044
0.053
00300
00
MG/L
10.2
10.0
7.2
6.4
6.4
8.6
8.4
8.8
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
5.8
62.6
24.5
00077
TRANSP
SECCHI
INCHES
72
46
36
00031
INCDT LT
REMNING
PERCENT
1.0
1.0
00094
CNDUCTVY
FIELD
MICROMHO
730
730
730
1228
1221
1221
866
866
866
11EPALES
4
00400 00410
PH T ALK
SU
8.55
8. 55
8.55
9.00
8.70
8.70
8.49
8.48
8.48
CAC03
MG/L
388
400
398
300
295
382
525
655
670
2111202
0015 FEET DEPTH
00610 00625 00630
NH3-N TOT KJEL N02&N03
TOTAL
MG/L
0.090
0.080
0.080
0.040
0.050
0.050
0.040
0.040
0.040
N
MG/L
1.700
1.600
1.900
2.200
1.600
2.100
2.000
1.800
2.000
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.100
0.060
0.060
0.040
0.040
0.050
0.020K
0.020K
0.020K
00671
PHOS-DIS
OHTHO
MG/L P
0.008
0.011
0.010
0.011
0.012
0.017
0.009
0.009
0.009
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE
LESS THAN INDICATED
-------
STORE! RETRIEVAL DATE 75/11/07
380302
47 33 10.0 100 42 JO.O
brtUSrl LAKE
38055 NORTrl DAKOTA
HEP ALES
DATE
FROM
TO
74/04/26
74/09/13
DATE
FROM
TO
74/04/26
74/09/13
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
15 00 0000
15 00 0005
15 00 0015
15 00 0020
13 ?5 0000
13 25 0005
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
15 00 0000
15 00 0005
15 00 0015
15 00 0020
13 25 0000
13 25 0005
13 25 0009
00010
WATER
TEMP
CENT
9.9
9.9
9.9
9.8
12.1
12.1
00665
PHOS-TOT
MG/L P
0.080
0.074
0.075
0.148
0.047
0.052
00300
DO
MG/L
10.0
10.2
10.2
8.8
9.6
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
5.8
21.6
00077
THANSP
SECCHI
INCHES
76
36
00031
1NCDT LT
REMNING
PERCENT
1.0
00094
CNDUCTVY
FIELD
M1CROMHO
724
723
722
720
845
845
4
00400
PH
SU
8.55
8.55
8.55
8.56
8.65
8.59
00410
T ALK
CAC03
MG/L
420
420
425
338
505
515
211
0024
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.100
0.090
0.090
0.080
0.050
0.050
1202
FEET DEPTH
00b25
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
1.700
1.500
1.700
2.400
2.200
1.900
00630
N02&N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.070
0.060
0.040
0.050
0.040
0.020K
00671
PHOS-DIS
ORTrtO
MG/L P
0.010
0.009
0.009
0.011
0.013
0.012
K VALUE KNOWN TO riE
LESS THAN INDICATED
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 75/11/07
380303
47 31 48.0 100 13 30.0
twos* LAKE
38055 NORTH DAKOTA
11EPALES 3111202
4 0009 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
74/07/16
DATE
FROM
TO
74/07/16
TIME DEPTH
OF
OAV FEET
15 00 0000
15 00 0005
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
15 00 0000
15 00 0002
15 00 0005
15 00 0007
00010
WATER
TEMP
CENT
25.1
24.2
00665
PHOS-TOT
MG/L P
0.048
0.051
00300
00
MG/L
6.4
6.0
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
50.6
00077 00094 00400 00410 00610 00625 00b30 00671
TRAILS? CNDUCTVY PH T ALK NH3-N TOT KJEL N02&NO3 PHOS-OIS
SECCMI FIELD CACOS TOTAL N N-TOTAL ORTHO
INCHES MICROMHO SU MG/L MG/L MG/L MG/L MG/L P
45 1216 8.80
1212 8.80
00031
INCOT LT
REMNING
PERCENT
50.0
1.0
378 0.040 1.700 0.050. 0.008
354 0.040 1.600 0.050 0.010
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STORE! RETRIEVAL DATE 75/11/07
380304
47 31 52.0 100 13 35.0
BRUSH LAKE
38055 NORTH DAKOTA
DATE TIME DEPTH
FROM OF
TO DAY FEET
74/07/16 15 10 0000
1 1EPALES
4
00010
WATER
TEMP
CENT
24.5
00300
00
MG/L
7.0
00077
TRANSP
SECCHI
INCHES
45
00094
CNDUCTVV
FIELD
MICROMHO
1236
00400
PH
SU
8.60
00410
T ALK
CAC03
HG/L
415
2111202
0005 FEET DEPTH
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.060
00625
TOT KJEL
N
MG/L
1.600
00630
NO2&N03
N-TOTAL
MG/L
0.050
00671
PHOS-OlS
ORTriO
MG/L P
0.018
0066S 32217 00031
DATE TIME DEPTH PHOS-TOT CHLRPHYL INCOT LT
FROM OF A REMNING
TO DAY FECT MG/L P UG/L PERCENT
74/07/16 15 10 0000
0.053
32.9
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