U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
           NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
                    WORKING PAPER SERIES
                                        REPORT
                                          ON
                                      PELICAN LAKE
                                     BQTTINEAU COUNTY
                                      NORTH DAKOTA
                                     EPA REGION VI11
                                  WORKING PAPER No, 574
CORVALLIS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY - CORVALLIS, OREGON
                             and
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & SUPPORT LABORATORY - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
 699-440

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                             REPORT
                               ON
                          PELICAN LAKE
                        BOTTINEAU COUNTY
                          NORTH DAKOTA
                        EPA REGION VI11
                     WORKING PAPER No, 574
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
DAKOTA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
          AND THE
NORTH DAKOTA NATIONAL GUARD
      SEPTEMBER, 1976

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                                   CONTENTS

                                                               Page
  Foreword                                                      ii
  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
                          F_0 R i 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 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(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.

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                                 m
    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. Melhouse, 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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                                                                                                  .17  „
                                                                                                48 51 00 —I
                                                                                     N. Dak.
                                                                                   Map Location
    PELICAN LAKE


   X  Lake Sampling Site
           Scale
1001700
100 16 30
                                                               100 16 00
100'15 30

   I

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                                PELICAN  LAKE
                              STORE! NO.  3811

 I.   INTRODUCTION
     Pelican 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.
     Pelican Lake is a controlled woodland lake which  primarily  is used
 for fishing.  There are no waste loads  into  the lake  other  than
 those from nearby marshy areas.  The principal  source of water  to the lake
 is runoff from surrounding wooded areas (Peterson,  1974).
II.   CONCLUSIONS
     A.  Trophic Condition:
             Survey data indicate that Pelican Lake  is meso-eutrophic.
         It ranked second in overall trophic  quality when the  14 North
         Dakota lakes sampled in 1974 were compared  using a  combination  of
         six water quality parameters*.   Two  of the  lakes had  less median
         total phosphorus, none of the lakes  had less  median dissolved
         phosphorus and inorganic nitrogen, three had  less mean  chlorophyll
         a_, and none of the other lakes had greater  mean  Secchi  disc  trans-
         parency.  Some depression of dissolved oxygen with  depth occurred
         in July.
             Survey limnologists noted moderate amounts of surface algae
         and submerged and emergent macrophytes in the shallow coves  and
 * See Appendix A.

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                                 2
    along the shoreline.  Periodic impairment of use of the lake
    due to excessive aquatic vegetation has been reported (Peter-
    son, 1975).
B.  Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
        The algal assay results indicate that Pelican Lake was
    nitrogen limited at the time the sample was taken (09/13/74).
    The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation at all sampling
    times.

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III.   LAKE CHARACTERISTICS1"
      A.   Lake Morphometry  :
          1.   Surface area:  0.50 kilometers2.
          2.   Mean depth:   3.1  meters.
          3.   Maximum depth:   9.1 meters.
          4.   Volume:  1.550 x 106 m3.
          5.   Mean hydraulic retention  time:   Unknown.
      B.   Precipitation*:
          1.   Year of sampling:  53.1 centimeters.
          2.   Mean annual:  47.0 centimeters.
  t Table of metric conversions—Appendix B.
  tt Henegar, 1975.
  * See Working Paper No. 175, "...Survey Methods, 1973-1976,

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                                      4
IV.   LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
     Pelican Lake was sampled two times during the open-water season
 of 1974 by means of a pontoon-equipped Huey helicopter (ice cover
 prevented sampling in April).   Each time,  samples for physical  and
 chemical parameters were collected  from a  number of depths at one
 station on the lake (see map,  page  v).  During each visit, a single
 depth-integrated (4.6 m to surface) sample was collected for phytoplankton
 identification and enumeration,  and a similar sample was taken for
 chlorophyll ^ analysis.  During the September visit, a single 18.9-
 liter depth-integrated sample was collected for algal assays.  The
 maximum depth sampled was 5.8 meters.
     The sampling results are presented in  full in Appendix C and are
 summarized in the following table.

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                             A. SUMMARY OF PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOrf PELICAN LAKE
                                                         STORET CODE Jdll
PARAMETER


TEMP (C)

UISS OXY (MG/L>

CNDCTVY  (MCROMO)

PH  (STAND UNITS)


TOT ALK  (MG/L>

TOT P  (MG/U

ORTHO P  (MG/D

NU2*N03  (MO/D

AMMONIA  (MG/L)

KJEL N  (MG/L>

INORG N  (MG/D

TOTAL N  (MG/L)

CHLHPYL  A  (UG/L)

SECCHI  (METERS)
                             1ST SAMPLING < 7/17/7*)


                                   1 SITES
     RANGE

 12.7  -  25. \

  2.2  -   8.2

 438.  -  562.

  8.3  -   9.0

 272.  -  304.

0.025  - 0.034

0.006  - 0.009

0.020  - 0.060

0.020  - 0.040

1.300  - 1.400

0.0<»0  - 0.100

1.320  - 1.460

 13.6  -  13.6

  4.9  -   4.9
                                             2N0 SAMPLING ( 9/13/74)


                                                   1 SITES
MEAN
20.6
5.2
518.
8.6
286.
0.029
0.007
0.035
0.030
1.350
0.065
1.385
13.6
4.9
MEDIAN
22. J
5.2
536.
8.6
283.
0.028
0.006
0.030
0.030
1.350
0.060
1.380
13.6
4.9
KANbE
12.1
7.2
354.
8.5
288.
0.034
0.006
0.020
0.050
1.200
0.070
1.220
8.3
2.0
- 12.5
8.0
- 357.
8.5
- 312.
- 0.036
- 0.007
- 0.020
- 0.050
- 1.600
- 0.070
- 1.620
8.3
2.0
MEAN
12.3
7.7
355.
8.5
300.
0.035
0.006
0.020
0.050
1.333
0.070
1.35.3
8.3
2.0
MEDIAN
12.4
7.8
355.
8.5
300.
0.036
0.006
0.020
0.050
1.200
0.070
1.220
8.3
2.0
                                                                                 HANGE
              0 SITES

                   MEAN
                                                                                                                            MEDIAN
*««««•  _«»e«««»»««»«««««o«e«««
*«»»«»  _»«««»«»«««««»»»«««•»•»
«oo»oe  -

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B.  Biological Characteristics:

    1.  Phytoplankton -
        09/13/74
    2.  Chlorophyll a_ -

        Sampl i ng
        Date

        07/1 7/74

        09/1 3/74

    Limiting Nutrient Study:
        Spike (mg/1)

        Control
        0.050 P
        0.050 P + 1.0 N
        1.0 N
Dominant
Genera
1 . Fragilaria sp.
2. Cryptomonas sp_.
3. Oscillatoria sp.
4. Microcystis ^p_.
5. Nitzschia sp.
Total
1 . Fragilaria sp.
2. Microcystis sp_.
3. Aphanizomenon sp.
4. Anabaena S£.
5. Cryptomonas S£.
Other genera
Total
Station
Number
1
1
idy:
»red, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Cone, (mg/1) Cone, (mg/1)
0.010 0.081
0.060 0.081
0.060 1.081
0.010 1.081
Algal Units
per ml
883
321
321
120
40
1,685
2,526
450
173
104
104
311
3,668
Chlorophyll a
(ug/1)
13.6
8.3

Maximum yield
(mg/1 -dry wt.)
2.6
3.2
28.9
4.0

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                         7
    The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum. indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Pelican Lake was moderately high at the time the sample
was collected (09/13/74).  Also, the lack of significant
growth response with the addition of phosphorus until
nitrogen was also added indicates the lake was nitrogen limi-
ted at that time.  Note that the addition of nitrogen alone
resulted in a yield greater than that of the control.
    The lake data also indicate nitrogen limitation.   The
mean inorganic nitrogen/orthophosphorus ratios were 9/1 in
July and 11/1 in September, and nitrogen limitation would be
expected.

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                                     8

V.  LITERATURE REVIEWED

    Henegar, Dale, 1975.  Personal communication (lake morphometry).
        ND Game & Fish Dept., Bismarck.

    Peterson, Norman L., 1974.  Personal communication (background
        information on Pelican Lake).  ND Dept. of Health, Bismarck.

                      ., 1975.  Personal communication (State lake
        classification).  ND Dept. of Health, Bismarck.

    Vollenweider, R. A., and P. J. Dillon, 1974.  The application of
        the phosphorus loading concept to eutrophication research.
        Natl. Res. Council of Canada Publ. No. 13690, Canada Centre
        for Inland Waters, Burlington, Ontario.

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VI.   APPENDICES
                                   APPENDIX A
                                  LAKE RANKINGS

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LA*£ OATA TO Dt USED IN RANKINGS
LA
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PERCENT OF LAKES WITH HIGHER VALUES (NUMBEK OF LAKES WITH HIGHEn  VALUES)
LAKE
CODE  LAKb NAME
3801  LAKE ASHTAbULA
3802  LAKE AUDlldON
3803  B*UiH LAKE
3804  LAKE JAHLING
3805  DEVILS LAKE
380o  JAMESTOWN RESERVOIR
3807  LAKE LA MOUHE
3808  MATEJCEK LAKE
3809  LAKE METIGOSHE
3811  PELICAN LAKE
3812  LAKE SAKAKA4EA (GARRISON
381J  SPIRIT WOOD LAKE
3810  SHEET BRIAR RESEKVOI*
3815  WHITMAN LAKE
MEDIAN
TOTAL P
?7 <
69 (
77 (
15 I
0 (
54 <
8 (
38 (
92 <
85 (
100 (
46 (
62 (
27 <
3)
9)
10)
2)
0)
7>
1>
5>
12)
11)
13)
6)
8)
3)
MEDIAN
INOWG N
54 (
46 (
77 <
38 (
69 (
15 <
8 (
0 (
92 1
100 (
62 <
23 (
85 <
31 <
7)
6)
10)
5)
9)
2)
1)
0)
12)
13)
8)
3)
11)
4)
500-
MEAN SEC
15 (
46 (
38 (
23 (
31 (
62 I
69 <
8 1
92 1
100 1
85 1
77 1
54 1
0 (
2)
b)
b)
3)
4)
8)
i 9)
[ 1)
! 12)
I 13)
; u>
! 10)
I 7)
I 0)
MEAN
CHLOrtA
8 (
69 (
38 <
0 (
23 (
62 1
54 <
100 (
65 (
77 <
92 <
31 (
IS (
46 (
1)
9)
5)
0)
3)
8>
7)
13)
11)
10)
12)
4)
2)
6)
15-
MIN 00
62 (
46 (
81 1
38 (
15 (
96 I
4 1
23 <
81 1
31 1
54 1
4 <
96 1
69 (
8)
b)
! 10)
: 5)
; 2)
: 12>
: o>
1 3)
I 10)
[ 4)
; 7)
I 0)
I 12)
[ 9)
MEDIAN
OISS OHTHO P
38 <
69 <
81 (
23 <
0 <
54 <
8 1
31 <
81 <
100 1
92 1
46 1
62 1
15 <
5)
9)
10)
3)
I 0)
: 7)
: i)
; 4)
[ 10)
I 13)
I 12)
1 6)
I 8)
! 2)
INObX
NO
204
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                INOE* MO






   1  3IJO-J       LAKE MtTIGOShE             523



   2  3rill       PELICAN LAKE               491



   J  3812       LAKE SAKAKAwEA  (GARHISON  4«5



   4  3803       BRUSH LAKE                 392



   5  381*.       SWEET BRIAR RESERVOIR      374



   6  3802       LAKE AJDUBO.N               345



   7  3806       JAMESTOWN RESERVOIR        343



   8  3013       SPIRIT WOOD LAKE           221



   9  3801       LAKE ASHTABULA             204



  10  3808       MATEJCEK LAKE              200



  11  3815       WHITMAN LAKE               188



  12  3807       LAKE LA MOURC              151



  13  3805       DEVILS LAKE                138



  14  3804       LAKE DARLING               137

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    APPENDIX B
CONVERSION FACTORS

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                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

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        APPENDIX C
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA

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     '  RETRIEVAL  DATE  76/03/16
                                                                  381101
                                                                 43 56 41.0 100 16 04.0  3
                                                                 PELICAN LAKE
                                                                 3«0/L P
0.025
0.029
0.028
0.034
0.036

0.036

0.034
32217
CHLRPHVL
A
UG/L
13.6



8.3




00031
INCDT LT
REMNING
PERCENT



1.0

50.0

5.0
1.0
          K  VALUE KNOWN  TO BE
          LESS THAN  INDICATED

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