U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
MCQUADE LAKE
ST, LOUIS cnunY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
PAPER *Io, 112
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
697.03Z
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REPORT
ON
MCQUADE LAKE
ST, LOUIS CflUJTY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
FORKING PAPER "lo, 112
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA Pou_imoN CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
MINNESOTA 'JATIONAL GUARD
OCTOBER^ 1974
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1
CONTENTS
Pa g e
Foreword
List of Minnesota Study Lakes iv, v
Lake and Drainage Area Map Vi
Sections
I. Conclusions 1
II. Introduction 2
III. Lake and Drainage Basin Characteristics
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary
V. Nutrient Loadings
VI. Literature Reviewed 12
VII. Appendices 13
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11
F 0 R E W 0 R D
The National Eutrophication Survey was initiated in 1972 in
response to an Administration comitment 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 [ 3O3(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 303(c)], clean lakes [ 3l4(a,b)],
and water quality monitoring [ lO6 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
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 Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency for professional involvement and to the Minnesota National
Guard for conducting the tributary sampling phase of the Survey.
Grant J. Merritt, Director of the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency, John F. McGuire, Chief, and Joel G. Schilling, Biologist,
of the Section of Surface and Groundwater, Division of Water Quality,
provided invaluable lake documentation and counsel during the course
of the Survey; and the staff of the Section of Municipal Works, Divi-
sion of Water Quality, were most helpful in identifying point sources
and soliciting municipal participation in the Survey.
Major General Chester J. Moeglein, the Adjutant General of
Minnesota, and Project Officer Major Adrian Beltrand, who directed
the volunteer efforts of the Minnesota National Guardsmen, are also
gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
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iv
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES
STATE OF MINNESOTA
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Albert Lea Freeborn
Andrusia Beltrami
Badger Polk
Bartlett Koochiching
Bear Freeborn
Bernidji Beltrami
Big Stearns
Big Stone Big Stone, MN; Roberts,
Grant, SD
Birch Cass
Bi ackduck Beltrami
Blackhoof Crow Wing
Budd Martin
Buffalo Wright
Calhoun Hennepin
Carlos Douglas
Carrigan Wright
Cass Beltrami, Cass
Clearwater Wright, Stearns
Cokato Wright
Cranberry Crow Wing
Darling Douglas
Elbow St. Louis
Enibarass St. Louis
Fall Lake
Forest Washington
Green Kandlyohi
Gull Cass
Heron Jackson
Leech Cass
Le Home Dieu Douglas
Lily Blue Earth
Little Grant
Lost St. Louis
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V
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Madison Blue Earth
Malmedal Pope
Mashkenode St. Louis
McQuade St. Louis
Minnetonka Hennepin
Minnewaska Pope
Mud Itasca
Nest Kandiyohi
Pelican St. Louis
Pepin Goodhue, Wabasha, MN;
Pierce, Pepin, WI
Rabbit Crow Wing
Sakatah Le Sueur
Shagawa St. Louis
Silver McLeod
Six Mile St. Louis
Spring Washington, Dakota
St. Croix Washington, MN; St. Croix,
Pierce, WI
St. Louis Bay St. Louis, MN; Douglas, WI
Superior Bay St. Louis, MN; Douglas, WI
Swan Itasca
Trace Todd
Trout Itasca
Wagoriga Kandiyohi
Walimark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrami, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohi
Zumbro Olmstead, Wabasha
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0 1 2 I
I I
Scale
2Mi.
U
Minn.
Map Location
Mc
QUADE LAKE
Tributary Sampling Site
Lake Sampling Site
Sewage Treathient Facility
Direct Drainage Area Limits
1’
1
(
/
/
/
J
/
I
$
92’48’
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MCQUAD [ LAKE
STORET NO. 2757
I. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Limited Survey data indicate ticQuade Lake is eutrophic.
Survey limnologists noted an algal bloom in progress in July,
1972, and reported much rooted aquatic vegetation in the
shal lows.
Of the 60 Minnesota lakes on which sampling was completed,
21 had less mean total phosphorus, 15 had less mean dissolved
phosphorus, and 15 had less mean inorganic nitrogen. For all
lakes sampled, 46% had greater mean Secchi disc transparency,
and 32% had less mean chlorophyll a.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
ricQuade Lake was not sampled the third time, so no algal
assay sample was collected. However, the limited lake data
indicate nitrogen limitation in July and September of 1972
(N/P ratios were less than 10/1, and nitrogen limitation
would be expected).
C. Nutrient Controllability:
1. Point sources--During the sampling year, Mcquade Lake
received a total phosphorus load at a rate about 1½ times the
rate proposed by Vollenweider (in press) as “dangerous”; i.e.,
a eutrophic rate (see page 1] ). Of this load, the Village of
Kinney is estimated to have contributed about 46%.
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2
It is concluded that 80% phosphorus removal at the Kinney
waste treatment plant would reduce the loading rate to 6.7 lbs/
acre/yr or 0.75 g/m 2 /yr and thus less than the eutrophic rate
but greater than the oligotrophic rate.
2. f on-point sources--The estimated nutrient exports of
the unnamed stream during the sampling year (see page 11)
compare favorably with the exports of unimpacted Minnesota
streams studied elsewhere. This indicates a lack of inten-
sive agriculture in the area as well as a reasonable estimate
of point-source loads.
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II. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS:
A. Lake Morphometry*:
1. Surface area: 164 acres.
2. Mean depth: 9 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 21 feet.
4. Volume: 1,476 acre/feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 57 days.
B. Tributary and Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
1. Tributaries -
Narre Drainage area Mean flow
Unnamed Creek (B-l) 22.7 mi2 12.1 cfs
Minor tributaries & 2
immediate drainage - 1.8 mi 1.0 cfs
Totals 24.5 mi2 13.1 cfs
2. Outlet -
2tt ft
West Two River 24.8 mi ' 13.1 cfs
C. Preciptation :
1. Year of sampling: 23.0 inches.
2. Mean annual: 26.9 inches.
* Anonymous, 1972.
t Drainage areas are accurate within ±5%; mean daily flows are accurate
within ±10%; and ungaged flows are accurate within ±10 to 25% for drainage
areas greater than 10 mi .
tt Includes area of lake; outflow adjusted to equal sum of inflows.
ttt See Working Paper No. 1, "Survey Methods".
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4
III. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
McQuade Lake was sampled two 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 at two
depths from one station on the lake (see map, page vi). During each
visit, a single depth-integrated (near bottom to surface) sample was
collected for phytoplankton identification and enumeration; and a
depth-integrated sample was collected for chlorophyll a analysis.
The maximum depth sampled was 6 feet.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix B and are
summarized below. The mean values presented in these summary tables
are not volume-weighted; nonetheless, the means are useful as a general
guide to differences in water quality at the different sampling times.
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
ilean Values
1st Sample 2nd Sample
Parameter ( 07/08/72) ( 09/09/72 )
Temperature (Cent.) 21.6 16.3
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) — 9.1
Conductivity (jin* os) 130 145
pH (units) 8.4 7.9
Alkalinity (mg/l) 56 61
Total P (mg/i) 0.032 0.043
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.012 0.021
NO + NO (mg/i) 0.050 0.050
Am onia mg/l) 0.060 0.080
Chlorophyll a ( ig/l) 19.2 2.2
Secchi disc finches) 60 48
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5
Mm. for Max. for llean for
Parameter all samples all samples all samples
Temperature 16.3 21.6 19.8
Dissolved oxygen 9.1 9.1 9.1
Conductivity 130 145 140
pH 7.9 8.4 8.1
Alkalinity 56 61 59
Total P 0.032 0.046 0.039
Dissolved p 0.012 0.023 0.018
NO + NO 0.050 0.050 0.050
Am onia 0.060 0.080 0.073
Chlorophyll a 2.2 19.2 10.7
Secchi disc 48 60 54
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant r um!er
Date Genera per nil
07/08/72 1. Dinobryon 2,754
2. Anabaena 1 ,920
3. rlicrocystis 1 ,087
4. Cryptomonas 435
5. Tabellaria 326
Other genera 869
Total 7,391
09/09/ 72 1. Anabaena 442
2. rIelosira 382
3. Tabellaria 291
4. Cryptomonas 281
5. r’licrocystis 221
Other genera 803
Total 2,420
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6
2. Chlorophyll a -
(Because of Tnstrumentation problems during the 1972 sampling,
the following values may be in error by plus or minus 20
percent.)
Sampling Station Chlorophyll a
Date Number ( pg/i )
07/08/72 01 19.2
09/09/72 01 2.2
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
No algal assay sample was collected, since the lake was only
sampled two times.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in July (N/P ratio =
9/1) and September (N/P = 6/1).
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7
IV. NUTRIENT LOADINGS
(See Appendix C for data)
For the determination of nutrient loadings, the rlinnesota National
Guard collected monthly near-surface grab samples from each of the tribu-
tary sites indicated on the map (page vi), except for the high runoff
months of April and May when two samples were collected, and the colder
months when ice cover and access prevented sampling. Sampling was begun
in October, 1972, and was completed in September, 1973.
Through an interagency agreement, stream flow estimates for the year
of sampling and a “normalized” or average year were provided by the Ilinne—
sota District Office of the U.S. Geological Survey for the tributary sites
nearest the lake.
In this report, nutrient loads for sampled tributaries were determined
by using a modification of a U.S. Geological Survey computor program for
calculating stream loadings. Nutrient loads for unsanpied “minor tribu-
taries and imediate drainage” (“ZZ” of U.S.G.S.) were determined by
using the pounds per square mile per year calculated for station B-i (minus
point-source loads) and multiplying that by the ZZ area in square miles.
The Village of Kinney declined participation in the Survey, and
nutrient loads were estimated at 2.5 lbs P and 7.5 lbs N/capita/year.
In the tables that follow, loads attributed to tributaries are
those measured minus point-source loads, if any.
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8
A. Waste Sources:
1. Known municipal -
Pop. 1ean Receiving
Name Served Treatment Flow (mgd) Water
Kinney 325* Imhoff tank O.032** Unnamed Creek
2. Known industrial - None
* Anonymous, 1973.
** Estimated at 100 gal/capita/day.
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9
B. Annual Total Phosphorus Loading — Average Year:
1 . Inputs -
lbs P1 % of
Source yr total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) -
Unnamed Creek (B—i) 840 48.0
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non-point load) - 70 4.0
c. Known municipal —
Kinney 810 46.3
d. Septic tanks - None
e. Known industrial - None - -
f. Direct precipitation* — 30 1.7
Total 1,750 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - West T ,o River 1 ,240
3. Net annual P accumulation - 510 pounds
* See Working Paper No. 1.
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10
C. Annual Total Nitrogen Loading - Average Year:
1 . Inputs -
lbs N/ % of
Source yr total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) —
Unnamed Creek (B—l) 45,720 85.7
b. Minor tributaries & iniiiediate
drainage (non-point load) — 3,630 6.8
c. Known municipal -
Kinney 2,440 4.6
d. Septic tanks - None
e. Known industrial - None - -
f. Direct precipitatlon* - 1,560 2.9
Total 53,350 100.0
2. Outputs —
Lake outlet - West Two River 46,760
3. Net annual N accumulation - 6,590 pounds
* See Working Paper No. 1.
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11
D. Mean Annual Non-point Nutrient Export by Subdrainage Area:
Tributary lbs PJmi 2 /yr lbs N/mi 2 /yr
Unnamed Creek 37 2,014
E. Yearly Loading Rates:
In the following table, the existing phosphorus loading
rates are compared to those proposed by Vollenweider (in press).
Essentially, his “dangerous” rate is the rate at which the
receiving waters would become eutrophic or remain eutrophic; his
“permissible” rate is that which would result in the receiving
water remaining oligotrophic or becoming oligotrophic if n cr-
phometry permitted. A mesotrophic rate would be considered one
between “dangerous” and “permissible”.
Total Phosj orus Total Nitrogen
Units Total Accumulated Total Accumulated
lbs/acr /yr 10.7 3.1 325.3 40.2
grams/m /yr 1.20 0.35 36.5 4.5
Vol1e weider loading rates for phosphorus
(g/m /yr) based on mean depth and mean
hydraulic retention time of McQuade Lake:
“Dangerous” (eutrophic rate) 0.82
“Permissible” (ol igotrophic rate) 0.41
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12
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonymous, 1972. Survey questionnaire. IIPCA, Minneapolis.
Anonymous, 1973. Wastewater disposal facilities inventory—-State
of Ilinnesota. IIPCA, Minneapolis.
Vollenweider, Richard A., (in press). Input—output models. Schweiz.
A. Hydrol.
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13
v i i. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
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FJ’.-bITAWY Fill., ThFO MATION FO. MINNESOTA 10/30/74
LACE CODE ‘757 AC 1J,lflhlF L A’(4-
TOTAL OQAIIIA’,’ A.r.. ( ‘F L 7 74•,s()
SIJ 4_OUAT -t NOlAMAL 1?E’J FLO,S
TQTI.4 IJTA Y A FA JV FE- ’ KlAN APt’ MAY JUN JUL AIl i, SEI-’ OCT NOV DEC MEAN
?7 57A 1 t’ 4 jj 1. 4, ‘.Q5 F.S.,0 13.00 16.’-’O 13.10 4.j4 4.56 9.24 6.18 1.53 13.25
2757-fl 77_il l 3•-Ib 1.3 t’. 4 7 S9.b0 10.20 15.50 12.00 1.75 •.20 9.39 5.60 1.45 12.12
775711 2 •3S Ø•J-. fl•’4 1.15 4.60 ?.Scl 1.44 1.05 0.29 0.42 O.6 0.40 0.10 0.99
SUMMARY
TI)T7L n.QAp-IAr,F ANFA ‘iF LAKF = 24.4, 0 TOTAL FLOW IN = 157.43
Sl l )F ‘,ud—OPAINAOE APFAS = 74•75 TOTAL FLOW OUT 159.13
‘lEAN WI IT t’ q FL’), ‘- N’1 )A IL I FLOI,5
TPIR’ITA Y 104,7-i Yr A 7 ‘ILAN FLfl’v )AY FLOW flAf FLOW DAY FL0
27 c7A I ll 77 5.7’, IS 5.70
II 7’ 1. Y IS 3.90
I’ 7’ I.”) 1 1-4 1.00
I 13 .74 14 0.30
7 ) I..’ ? 4 1.20
71 e. II 10 1.30
11 I ’.. ’0 1-. 1.90 ‘4 25.00
c 7 4, 22.00 21 N.0O
7 1 1’.-)r, I N 14.00
7 71 S_7’ 17 3.50
73 7 . 57 21 12.10
LI 74 ‘.— I ’ 2.”)
27 37 41 11 7 .’ 4_23 I’-’ 5.?’)
II ‘.—) 1’
I ’ 1 ’ ‘ .95 I 0. 0
I 7 1 0.74 1 0.70
7 74 I.’l 4
1 7 4 4,_I” 1 ’ 1.411
4 73 11 _Il I i 7 . 3 74 25.00
5 7 1 71• ‘0 r- 23.00 I 8.00
1- , 74 II.) ,’ It’ 13. 00
7 7 , S.’S If 3.20
a 7 7 ’) t’7 4.40
4 74 ‘.‘-‘ I ’ 2.0)
77577/ 10 77 (,1.4 IS 0 .40
II 7’ 1.”) lb O . 9
1 2 77 ,j_r,b I’
I 74 1.4 I’ 0.0’
4 0 .05
-% 71 ,1_17 It 1.07
6 14 1.1 l- 3.40 2’. 2 .00
S 7 , I.’S — 1.7-’ ‘I 0.10
74 _4 I” l. ’a
7 7 , t.”” If 0 .2- I
U 7. • .;‘ ‘ _a 4 /1 0.34,
-J 1 ’ C’ .’ I ’
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APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STOPET RFEPTEVA, DATE 7’./Ifl/30
275701
47 25 32.0 09? 45 59.0
MC)UADE LAKE
MINNESOTA
1IFPALES 2111202
3 0006 FEET DEPTH
00010 00100 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATF TIME DEPTH WATEP DO T ANSP CNOUCTVY PH 1 ALK NO2 .NO3 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TFMP SECCp-41 FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CVNT INCHES C OM lO StJ MG/L MG/L MG/L MG/L P MG/L P
7?/07/0 Il 30 0000 ?1. 60
13 30 0006 21.6 110 8.40 5F 0.050 0.060 0.032 0.012
72/09/0° 13 00 0000 4P 145 7.9 ’) 61 0.050 0.080 0.040 0.023
Ii 00 0004 I6.T 145 7.90 60 0.050 0.080 0.046 0.020
‘?I 7
DATE TIMF r)FPT -4 C -’L 0 I-fYL
FI Or OF A
TO OAY FEET ‘JG/L
7?/07/0 13 30 0000
72/O /O9 11 00 0000
J V LUE NOWN T) E 1”J P9O ?
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APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY DATA
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STOPET PET I VAt I)AT (4/1C / )
?7 -/Ai L’-?7 7A1
47 ? 30.0 J’ 2 3u.0
U’J’ iAM t) t- jr FROM LP TO W TWO V
7.5 RU -iL
0/ ACI)JADt LAt E
Co -1 jY ‘.53 r 1)G t . (iF LAI
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ST’)RET PFTQT VAI I) T- 7 /1c / 30
?7 73I L 2757B1
‘+7 5 10.0 09? 4 30.0
U INAMED T 1H 10 NE CF MCQUAOE LK
77 7. , - ‘JHL
I/MCOUADE LAKE
Co HwY 453 ‘-3 OG JUST E OF NE CORNER LAKE
11E’ ALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET DEPTH
0 )0 fl O571 0fif 65
OAT T1M ‘)FPTH ifl ’iQ3 TOT J L r”ri3—t” P-IOS—PIS PHO —TOT
1W JT ) AL TUfAL O FHO
TO I)AY FFT 1i/L ‘.i /L Mt ,/L 4(,/L ‘
7?/ 10/1S QQ 15 O. ’3 ) .‘ M0 (j. 009 .050
71f0 /0 O’ “0 .I’G 0.i’53 G.O’ 0.065
71/j4/24 J’ 15 G.HC C.C I R 0.01? 0.010
71/’)S /0 19 00 ).7’ (j L’. ’?P (‘.0?7 0.040
71/05/?l IM 40 .0IC) ).7 -J 0.C 1 4P 0.0? ) C .U6O
71/06/1 09 10 .O’Y. 1 .’60 ‘.046 O.05F3 0.135
71/07/17 19 35 (‘.017 ,• 54 r). 03 ? 0.070
73/OR/?7 19 25 1 .(H4 ‘.cn 3.lfl S 0.052 0.090
71/09/1 IQ 5 ‘.? lO 1.05? 0.105
K V LUF KNOWN TO B LtSS
Ti-IAN INDICATED
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51)1 ‘ ETQT VAt OAJE 74/))/ 3”
? -. LS27 ’ 7C1
47 30.0 OQ? 43 30.0
UNN MEU OUTLET KINNEY LAKE
d l 7.5 KIPK
I/MCOUADE LAKE
US l6’ XING 2.25 MI BELOw KINNEY STP
I1EPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET DEPTH
. fl6J0 0062 5 00610 00b71 00665
DATE TTME DF TH “4O7 NO3 TOT KJEL NM3—N PHOS—DIS PHOS—TOT
FROM OF N—TOTAL N TOTAL U ’ Tr-iO
TO PAY FEET MO/L ‘1e’/L MG/1 MG/L P M(./L
7?/10/1 09 55 3.510 OeL O O 0.063 0.154
77/11/16 11 10 0. ”.0 1. fl0 1.5 0 0.794 0.33& ’
71/04/06 10 0’ 0.770 6.900 0.?9 0.10?
73/04/p’ 09 )S 0.1’”J ?.730 •).100 ( ‘.02 , 0.060
73/ ’JS/Oh 19 ‘5 ti. ’ lO 0.770 0.110 0.0 3 0.135
73/05/21 19 0’) 0.6 50 0.050 0.04 0.140
71/O6/1 09 50 0.l 9 1.7fl0 0. IOC 0. 1 u 0.250
73/07/17 70 00 u.3 () )•L 4 7’ J.0 54 0.270
73/OR/27 20 00 0.740 7.940 0.100 0.160 0.240
73/09/14 20 00 0.6#,0 5.700 0.360 0. 70 0.330
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