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REPORT
ON
LITHE LAKE
GRANT COUNTY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 120
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
JULY, 1975
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CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Minnesota Study Lakes lv, v
Lake and Drainage Area Map vi
Sections
I. Introduction 1
II. Conclusions 1
III. Lake Characteristics 2
IV. Lake Water Quality Sumary 3
V. Literature Reviewed 7
VI. Appendix 8
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Ii
FOREWORD
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
reservoi rs.
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 [ g303(e)J, water
quality criteria/standards review [ 3O3(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.
* The lake discussed In this report was included In the National
Eutrophication Survey as a water body of interest to the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency. Tributaries were not sampled, and this
report relates only to the data obtained from lake sampling.
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1•11
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, multivarlate 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
Bemidji Beltrami
Big Stearns
Big Stone Big Stone, MN; Roberts,
Grant, SD
Birch Cass
Blackduck 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
Embarass St. Louis
Fall Lake
Forest Washington
Green Kandiyohi
Gull Cass
Heron Jackson
Leech Cass
Le Homme 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
Wagonga Kandiyohi
Wailmark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrami, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohi
Zumbro Olmstead, Wabasha
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95'49'
95'48'
95'47'
46'06 00
|« f MINN.
l_Jb
Map Location
LITTLE LAKE
X Lake Sampling Site
1/2 Mi.
Scale
46'05 30 —
46'05 00
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LITTLE LAKE
STORET NO. 2748
I. INTRODUCTION
Little Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey
as a water body of interest to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Tributaries were not sampled, and nutrient sources were not evaluated.
Therefore, this report relates only to lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data show that Little Lake is hypereutrophic. Of
the 60 Minnesota lakes sampled in the fall when essentially all
were well—mixed, 58 had less and one the same mean total phos-
phorus, 56 had less mean dissolved phosphorus, and 27 had less
mean inorganic nitrogen. Of the 80 Minnesota lakes sampled,
61 had less mean chlorophyll a, and 42 had greater mean Secchi
disc transparency.
Survey limnologists noted that this shallow lake was heavily
overgrown with rooted aquatic plants and observed algal blooms In
progress in September and October, 1972.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
The results of the algal assay show that Little Lake was
nitrogen limited at the time the sample was taken (10/25/72).
The lake data Indicate nitrogen limitation at the other sampling
times as well.
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2
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS
A. Morphometry:
1. Surface area: 69 acres*.
2. Mean depth: unknown.
3. Maximum depth: >4 feet (based on Survey sampling).
4. Volume: unknown.
B. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 22.9 inches.
2. Mean annual: 22.6 inches.
* Anonymous, 1968.
** See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods, 1972”.
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IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Little Lake was sampled three 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 from one
or more depths at a single 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 similar sample was collected for chlorophyll a_ analysis. During
the last visit, a single five-gallon depth-integrated sample was taken
for algal assays. The maximum depth sampled was 4 feet.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix A, and the
data for the fall sampling period, when the lake essentially was well-
mixed, are summarized in the following table. Note, however, the Secchi
disc summary is based on all values.
For differences in the various parameters at the other sampling
times, refer to Appendix A.
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4
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(10/25/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 4.2 (only one value)
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 14.4 (only one value)
Conductivity (pmhos) 825 825 825 825
pH (units) 9.4 9.4 9.4 9.4
Alkalinity (mg/i) 190 195 195 200
Total P (mg/i) 1.480 1.480 1.480 1.480
Dissolved P (mg/i) 1.240 1.250 1.250 1.260
N02 + NO 3 (mg/i) 0.090 0.095 0.095 0.100
Ammonia (mg/i) 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 16 42 30 80
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5
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
07/06/72 1. Merismopedla 2,750
2. Microcystis 1,621
3. Fragilaria 796
4. Flagellates 449
5. Chroococcus 232
Other genera 737
Total 6,585
09/02/72 1. Dictyosphaerium 9,474
2. Merismopedia 6,466
3. Aphanocapsa 4,436
4. Microcystis 3,083
5. Flagellates 2,632
Other genera 5,864
Total 31,955
10/25/72 1. Cyclotella 10,152
2. Flagellates 6,364
3. Microcystis 4,242
4. Fragilaria 2,273
5. Chroococcus 1,970
Other genera 6,060
Total 31,061
2. Chlorophyll a -
(Because of instrumentation problems during the 1972 sampling,
the following values may be in error by plus or minus 20 percent.)
Sampling Station Chlorophyll
Date Number ( pg/l )
07/06/72 01 5.8
09/02/72 01 40.9
10/25/72 01 129.6
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6
C. Lim
iting Nutrient Study:
1.
Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient
spiked -
Ortho P
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i)
Inorganic N
Conc. (mg/i)
Maximum yield
(mg/i-dry wt.
)
0.183
0.183
0.183
0.183
0.183
10.183
10.183
15.8
15.3
14.8
15.7
15.0
108.4
80.8
Control 1.050
0.005 P 1.055
0.010 P 1.060
0.020 P 1.070
0.050 P 1.100
0.050 P + 10.0 N 1.100
10.0 N 1.050
2. Discussion —
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Little Lake was high at the time the sample was collected
(10/25/72). Also, the results show that the lake was nitro-
gen limited at that time. Algal growth was not stimulated
beyond the control yield with orthophosphorus spikes. The
addition of nitrogen alone caused a significant growth
response in comparison to the control yield. However, the
maximum yield was achieved with a combined spike of nitrogen
and phosphorus.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation at the other
sampling times as well; i.e., N/P ratios were 8/1 in June and
less than 1/1 in September, and nitrogen limitation would be
expected.
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7
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonymous, 1968. An inventory of Minnesota lakes. MN Dept. Cons.,
St. Paul.
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VI. APPENDIX
APPENDIX A
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/10/30
DATE
F ROM
TO
00010
Wt TER
TEMP
CENT
00300 00077
DO TRANSP
SE CCM I
MG/L INCHES
00094
CNDUCT VY
FIELD
MICPOMHO
274801
46 05 18.0 095 48 33.0
LITTLE LAKE
27 MINNESOTA
I IEPALFS
3
00630
NOV NO3
N—TOTAL
MG/L
00610
N 113—N
TOTAL
MG/L
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
77/07/06 16 00 0000
72/09/02 14 45 0000
14 45 0004
72/10/25 15 20 0000
15 20 0004
2111202
0000 FEET DEPTH
00400 00410
PH TALK
CACO3
SU MG,
00665 00666
PHOS-TOT PHOS—DIS
MG/L P MG/L P
DATE
FROM
TO
72/07/06
72/09/0 2
77/10/75
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
16 00 0000
14 45 0000
15 20 0000
20.6
9.
80
325
9.00
8
0.060
0.040
0.020
0.012
30
785
9.35
96
0.170
0.180
0.930
0.745
19.)
7.1
16
790
82S
9.30
9.40
2
O
0.120
0.090
0.130
0.100
0.910
1.480
0.765
1.240
4.6
14.4
25
9.40
200
0.100
0.100
1.480
1.260
1’?l 7
CHLRPHYL
A
‘JG/L
5. QJ
40 • 9J
1?9.6J
j VALU KNOWN TO RE IN ERR0
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