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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