U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
«
ON
AUDUBON LAKE
MCLEAN COUNTY
NORTH DAKOTA
EPAEGIONVIII
WORKING PAPER No, 566
CORVALLIS ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING & SUPPORT LABORATORY - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
699-440
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REPORT
ON
AUDUBONLAKE
fCLEANCOUNIY
NORTH DAKOTA
EPA REGION VI11
WORKING PAPER No, 566
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
NORTH DAKOTA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
AND THE
NORTH DAKDTA NATIONAL GUARD
OCTOBER. 1976
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1
CONT ENTS
Pag e
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
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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 [ 3O3(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 3O3(c)], clean lakes [ 3l4(a,b)],
and water quality monitoring [ g106 and §305(b)] activitIes mandated
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
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111
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.
AC KNOWLEDGMENT
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. Meihouse, 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 Bottlneau
Pelican Bottineau
Sakakawea Dunn, McKenzie,
McLean, Mercer,
Mountrail, Wil-
ii ams
Spi ri twood Stutsman
Sweet Briar Morton
Whitman Nelson, Walsh
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L N. Dak
Map Location
4
Coleha rbor
- -
a
AUDUBON
47045 1—
LAKE
x
Lake Sampling
0
Site
2
0
2
6
? Km
Scale
Mi
47°40’
47035 1
tO1°05’
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AUDUBON LAKE
STORET NO:. 3802
I. INTRODUCTION
Audubon 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 th the lake sampling data.
Audubon Lake is a controlled basin containing water pumped from
Lake Sakakawea via the Bureau of Reclamation’s Snake Creek Pumping
Station. The lake has a relatively high recreational and fishing
usage. A limited amount of agricultural runoff enters the lake
(Peterson, 1974).
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data indicate that Audubon Lake is eutrophic. It ranked
sixth in overall trophic quality when the 14 North Dakota lakes
sampled in 1974 were compared using a combination of six lake
parameters*. Four lakes had less median total and dissolved
phosphorus, seven had less median inorganic nitrogen, four had
less mean chlorophyll a, and seven had greater mean Secchi disc
transparency. Depression of dissolved oxygen with depth occurred
at all stations in July.
The field limnologists noted algal blooms in the open water
in September.
* See Appendix A :
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2
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results indicate that primary productivity
in Audubon Lake was nitrogen limited at the time the sample
was collected (04/26/73). The lake data indicate nitrogen limi-
tation on all sampling dates.
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3
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICSt
A. Lake Morphometrytt:
1. Surface area: 48.56 kilometers 2 .
2. Mean depth: unknown.
3. Maximum depth: 15.2 meters.
4. Volume: unknown.
B. Precipitation*:
1. Year of sampling: 53.1 centimeters.
2. Mean annual: 47.0 centimeters.
t Table of metric equivalents--Appendix B.
i-I- Henegar, 1975.
* See Working Paper No. 175, “...Survey Methods, 1973-1976”.
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4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Audubon Lake was sampled three times during the open-water season
of 1974 by means of a pontoon-equipped Huey helicopter. Each time,
samples for physical and chemical parameters were collected from
three stations on the lake and from a number of depths at each
station (see map, page v). During each visit, a single depth-integrated
(4.6 m or near bottom to surface) sa ple was composited from the
stations for phytoplankton identification and enumeration; and during the
first visit, a single 18.9-liter depth-integrated sample was composited
for algal assays. Also each time, a depth-integrated sample was collected
from each of the stations for chlorophyll a analysis. The maximum
depths sampled were 4.6 meters at station 1, 9.8 meters at station
2, and 6.1 meters at station 3.
The sampling results are presented in full in Appendix C and are
summarized in the following table.
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3 SITES
A. SUMMARY OF PI4YSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR LAKE AtJDU8ON
STORET CODE 3802
1ST SAMPLING ( 4/26/7’.) 2ND SAMPLING ( 7/18/74)
3 SITES
3RD SAMPLING ( 9/13/74)
3 SITES
PARAMETER
RANGE
MEAN
MEDIAN
RANGE
MEAN
MEDIAN
I ANGE
MEAN
MEDiAN
TEMP (C)
5.9
— 6.8
6.5
6.7
22.8
— 27.0
2’..6
24.3
11.8
— 13.7
12.9
13.0
0155 OXY (MG/L)
12.0
— 15.6
13.3
12.8
4.0
— 9.0
6.3
5.8
8.4
— 9.8
9.1
8.9
CNDCTVY (MCROMO)
863.
— 921.
895.
898.
1405.
— 1587.
1483.
1475.
1199.
— 1223.
1209.
1210.
P 1 (STAND UNITS)
8.6
— 8.9
8.7
8.6
8.8
— 9.3
9.1
9.0
8.2
— 8.6
8.4
8.4
TOT ALK (MG/L)
314.
370.
341.
334.
340.
— 455.
408.
408.
435.
— 665.
550.
575.
TOT P (MG/L)
0.087
— 0.131
0.108
0.105
0.043
— 0.114
0.070
0.066
0.076
— 0.103
0.088
0.086
ORTHO P (HG/L)
0.006
— 0.023
0.012
0,013
0.007
— 0.073
Q.02S
0.023
0.008
— 0.045
0.026
0.022
N02.N03 CMG/L)
0.020
0.210
0.133
0,170
0.020
— 0.100
0.039
0.040
0.020
— 0.440
0.210
0.120
AMMONIA (MG/L)
0.030
— 0.040
0.035
0.030
0.070
— 0.340
0.172
0.180
0.050
— 0.130
0.087
0.080
KJEL N (M6/L)
1.300
— 1.900
1.573
1.500
1.600
— 2.200
1.800
1.700
1.300
— 2.600
1.970
1.900
INORG N (MG/L)
0.050
— 0.240
0.167
0.210
0.090
— 0.380
0.211
0.220
0.070
— 0.530
0.297
0.250
TOTAL N (MG/L)
1.420
— 1.970
1.705
1.680
1. 40
— 2.220
1.839
1.750
1.710
— 2.620
2.180
2.130
CHLRPYL A (UG/L)
15.9
— 23.1
19.3
19.0
3.1
— 12.8
6.4
3.3
5.1
— 13.6
8.2
6.0
U,
SECCHI (METERS) 1.0 — 1.2
1.1
1.2 1.5 — 4.0 2.4 1.5
0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6
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6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Algal Units
Date Genera per ml
04/26/74 1. Centric diatoms 2,039
2. Chiamydomonas p. 1,497
3. Chroomonas p. 542
4. Cryptomonas p•. 181
5. Chiorophytan colonies 129
Other genera 179
Total 4,567
07/18/74 1. Aphanizomenon p. 579
2. Oscillatoria 83
Total 661
09/13/74 1. Aphanizomenon p. 5,350
2. Chroomonas . 132
Total 5,482
2. Chlorophyll a -
Sampling Station Chlorophyll a
Date Number ( ig/l )
04/26/74 1 23.1
2 19.0
3 15.9
07/18/74 1 12.8
2 3.1
3 3.3
09/13/74 1 6.0
2 5.1
3 13.6
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7
Spike (mg/i ) ___________ ___________ _____________
Control
0.050 p
0.050 p + 1.0
1.0 N
2. Discussion -
The control ‘yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Audubon Lake was moderately high when the assay sample
was collected (04/26/74). The results also indicate limi-
tation by nitrogen. There was an increase in yield with the
addition of only nitrogen, but the addition of orthophos-
phorus alone resulted in a yield not significantly different
from that of the control.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation on all
sampling dates; i.e., the mean inorganic nitrogen to ortho-
phosphorus ratios were 13 to 1, 8 to 1, and 11 to 1,
respectively.
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoc1aved filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
___________ Conc. (mgJlj Conc. (mg/i )
0.040 0.312
0.090 0.312
N 0.090 1.312
0.040 1.312
Maximum yield
( mg/l - dry wt. )
5.9
5.7
19.3
12.0
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8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Henegar, Dale, 1975. Personal coninunication (lake morphometry).
ND Game & Fish Dept., Bismarck.
Peterson, Norman L., 1974. Personal comunication (general lake
information). ND Dept. of Health, Bismarck.
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9
VI. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
LAKE RANKINGS
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LAKE DATA TO BE USED IN RANKINGS
LA
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PERCENT OF LAIcES w lTii MIGHER VALUES (NUMBER OF LAKES WITH HIGrIEM VALUES)
LAKE
CODE
LAKt. NAME
MEDIAN
TOTAL P
MEDIAN
INO G
N
500—
MEAN SEC
MEAN
ChLO A
15—
MIN 00
DISS
P-IEULAN
O TriO P
INL) .X
NO
38u1
LAKE ASHTAULJLA
27 (
3)
54 C
7)
15 C
2)
8 C
1)
62 C 8)
38
C 5)
204
3802
LA cE AUO ftION
69 (
9)
46 C
6)
46 (
b)
69
9)
46 ( b)
69
C 9)
345
3803
I3 U r$ LAKE
77 (
10)
77 (
10)
38 C 5)
38 C
5)
81 ( 10)
81
C 10)
392
380’.
LAKE L)ARLING
15 C
2)
38 (
5)
23 ( 3)
0 C
0)
38 C 5)
23
C 3)
137
3805
DEVILS LAKE
0 (
0)
69 C
9)
31 ( 4)
3 (
3)
15 C 2)
0
( 0)
•
138
3806
JAMESTOWN RESERVOIR
54 (
7)
15 C
2)
62 ( 8)
62 (
8)
96 C 12)
54
C 7)
3’3
38U7
LAKE LA HOURE
8 1
1)
8 C
1)
69 ( 9)
54 C
7)
4 C 0)
8
1)
151
3808
HATEJCEK LAKE
38 C
5)
0 1
0)
8 C 1)
100 C
13)
23
1 3)
31
C 4)
200
3809
LAKE METIGOSPIE
92 C
12)
92 C
12)
92 1 12)
8 C
11)
81
C 10)
81
C 10)
523
3811
PELICAN LAKE
85 C
11)
100 C
13)
100 C 13)
77 C
10)
31
C 4)
100
C 13)
493
3812
LAKE SAKAKA4EA (GARRISON
100 1
13)
62 (
8)
85 C 11)
92 C
12)
54
C 7)
92
( 12)
485
3813
SI’IRIT WOOD LAKE
46 C
6)
23 1
3)
77 C 10)
31 1
4)
4
C 0)
46
1 6)
227
3814
SWEET ARIAR RESEHVOIi
62 C
8)
85 1
11)
54 C 7)
15 C
2)
96
1 12)
62
( 8)
374
3815
WHITMAN LAKE
27 (
3)
31 C
4)
0 1 0)
46 C
6)
69
1 9)
iS
( 2)
188
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RANKED BY INDEX NOS,
LAKE CODE LAKE NAME Ii DEX NO
I 3i 09 LAKE M T .,QShE 5?3
2 3eUI ‘ELICAr LAr t:
3 3812 LAKE SAKAPcA EA (GA JSON 4 5
4 3803 8RUSH LAKE 392
5 381’ SwEET 8P 1AR RESEI VOIR 374
6 3 02 LAKE. AUDU8O 1 345
7 3806 JAMESTOWN RESE VOIN 343
8 3813 SPIRIT 0OD LAKE 227
9 3801 LAKE. ASHTABULA 204
10 3808 MATEJC€K LAKE 200
11 3815 WhITMAN LAKt 188
12 3807 LAKE LA MOUWE. 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
Flectares x 2.471 = acres
Kilometers x 0.6214 = miles
Meters x 3.281 = feet
Cubic meters x 8.107 x 1O = 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 = lbs/square mile
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APPENDIX C’
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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TORET WETRIEVAL DATE 76/02/13
380201
41 35 00.0 101 08 00.0 4
LAKE AUDUBON
38 1Oi TH DAKO1A
11EPALES 211120
0019 FEET DEPTH CLASS
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00610 00625 00630 00671
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNDIJCTVY PH T ALK NIi3-N TOT KJEL NO2SNO3 PHOS-DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCe41 FIELD CACO3 TOTAL N N-TOTAL ORTPIO
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMMO SO MG/L P4G ’L MG/L MG/L Mc,/L P
!4/04/26 13 10 0000 5.9 47 902 8.90 332 0.040 1.600 0.070 0.023
13 10 0005 5.9 15.6 883 8.90 332 0.030 1.900 0.040 0.015
13 10 0015 5.9 15.6 898 8.90 334 0.030 1.700 0.050 0.016
r4/07/18 20 50 0000 27.0 5.8 60 1587 9.30 455 0.070 2.100 0.020 0.013
20 50 0005 25.3 6.6 1555 9.20 400 0.080 2.200 0.020 0.018
20 50 0010 24.3 5.6 1531 9.20 385 0,120 2.000 0.030 0.024
20 50 0015 24.0 5.4 1533 9.20 0.220 1.900 0.020 0.040
14/09/13 14 35 0000 12.0 9.8 24 1223 8.65 630 0.060 2.600 0.020 0.008
14 35 0005 11.9 9.8 1219 8.65 600 0.050 2.500 0.020K 0.012
14 35 0014 11.8 9.8 1212 8.65 665 0.050 2.500 0.020K 0.012
00665 32217 00031
TIME DEPTH PHOS—TOT CHLRPHYL 1NCOT LT
OF A REMNING
DAY FEET MG/L P UG/L PERCENT
74/04/26 13 10 0000 0,130 23.1
13 10 0005 0.131
13 10 0015 0.129
74/07/18 20 50 0000 0.059 12.8
20 50 0005 0.074
20 50 0010 0.079
20 50 0015 0.086
74/09/13 14 35 0000 0.102 6.0
1’. 35 0004 1.0
14 35 0005 0.091
14 35 0014 0.103
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE
LESS THAN INDICATED
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 76/02/13
380202
47 36 15.0 101 14 56.0 4
LAPcE AUOU8ON
39 NORTH DAscOTA
I IEPALES 2111202
0035 FEET DEPTH CLASS 00
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00610 00625 00630 00671
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER 00 TRANSP CNDUCTVY PH 1 ALtc NH3—N TOT KJEL N02&N03 PHOS—DIS
FROM OF 1EMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 TOTAL N N—TOTAL ORTHO
TO OAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMMO SU MG/L M .i/L MG/L MG/L M ,/L P
74/04/26 13 25 0000 6.8 47 878 8.60 314 0.030 1.600 0.190 0.013
13 25 0005 6.7 12.0 878 8.60 346 0.030 1.500 0.190 0.010
13 25 0015 6.7 12.4 871 8.60 318 0.030 1.400 0.020 0.015
13 25 0030 6.6 13.0 863 8.70 348 0.030 1.300 0.210 0.014
74/07/18 20 05 0000 26.6 7.2 159 1511 9.00 345 0.160 1.700 0.050 0.007
20 05 0005 25.1 7.2 1467 8.90 340 0.180 1.700 0.040 0.014
20 05 0010 24.0 6.0 1439 8.95 415 0.180 1.700 0.100 0.014
20 05 0020 23.5 5.6 1423 9.00 415 0.210 1.700 0.040 0.023
20 05 0031 22.8 4.0 1405 8.80 450 0.340 1.800 0.040. 0.073
74/09/13 15 20 0000 13.7 9.0 24 1210 8.30 585 0.090 1.800 0.440 0.045
15 20 0005 13.7 8.6 1211 8.29 495 0,080 1.500 0.420 0.043
15 20 0015 13.7 8.4 1210 8.32 565 0.080 1.500 0.420 0.044
15 20 0032 13.6 8.6 1206 8.23 440 0.080 1.300 0.410 0.041
00665 32217 00031
DATE TIME DEPTH PHOS—TOT CHLRPHYL INCDT LT
FROM OF A REMNING
TO DAY FEET M6/L P (JG/L PERCENT
74/04/26 13 25 0000 0.109 19.0
13 25 0005 0.105
13 25 0015 0.103
13 25 0030 0.110
74/07/18 20 05 0000 0.043 3.1
20 05 0005 0.052
20 05 0010 0.055
20 05 0020 0.066
20 05 0031 0.114
74/09/13 15 20 0000 0.088 5,1
15 20 0005 0.093
15 20 0007 1.0
15 20 0015 0.085
15 20 0032 0.083
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 76/02/13
380203
47 39 00.0 101 10 40.0 4
LAKE AUDUBON
38 NORTH DAKOTA
11EPALES 2111202
0025 FEET DEPTH CLASS 00
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00610 00625 00630 00671
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRAPISP CNDUCTVV PH T ALK Nr*3—N TOT KJEI N02&N03 PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 TOTAL N N—TOIAL ORTiIO
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMMO SO MG/L MG/L MG/L MG ,’L P4G/L P
74/04/26 13 55 0000 6.8 39 921 8.65 370 0.040 1.800 0.170 0.007
13 55 0005 6.8 12.6 919 8.65 366 0.040 1.500 0.170 0.007
13 55 0015 6.8 13.0 918 8.65 328 0.040 1.500 0.170 0.006
13 55 0020 6.8 12.6 918 8.65 358 0.040 1.500 0.180 0.009
74/07/18 20 30 0000 25.2 8.4 60 1483 9.25 455 0.090 1.700 0.030 0.013
20 30 0005 24.9 9.0 1475 9.15 395 0.120 1.600 0.040 0.024
20 30 0010 23.6 5.4 1441 9.00 400 0.180 1.600 0.040 0.027
20 30 0016 23.4 5.2 1425 9.05 435 0.280 1.700 0.040 0.035
74/09/13 15 00 0000 13.0 8.8 24 1200 8.42 610 0.120 2.200 0.110 0.015
15 00 0005 13.0 8.8 1200 8.40 475 0.130 1.900 0.120 0.022
15 00 0015 13.0 9.0 1199 8.44 435 0.130 1.900 0.120 0.022
00665 32217 00031
DATE TIME DEPTH PHOS—TOT CHLRPHYL INCDT IT
FROM OF A kENNING
TO DAY FEET N6/L P UG/L PERCENT
74/04/26 13 55 0000 0.093 15.9
13 55 0005 0.089
13 55 0015 0.087
13 55 0020 0.098
74/07/18 20 30 0000 0.045 3.3
20 30 0005 0.105
20 30 0010 0.066
20 30 0016 0.072
74/09/13 15 00 0000 0.076 13.6
15 00 0005 0.078 1.0
15 00 0015 0.085
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