U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
irOPO 697.032
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REPORT
ON
CARRIGANLAKE
WRIGHT COUNTY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 139
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
JULY, 1975
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1
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Minnesota Study Lakes iv, v
Lake and Drainage Area Map vi
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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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 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 [ 3O3(c)], clean lakes [ 314(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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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
Aridrusia Beltrami
Badger Polk
Bartlett Koochiching
Bear Freeborn
Bemidji Beltrami
Big Stearns
Big Stone Big Stone, MN; Roberts,
Grant, SD
Birch Cass
Bl ackduck Bel tranli
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 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 Kandlyohi
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
Walimark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrami, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohi
Zumbro Olmstead, Wabasha
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—
=
-
ly L k•
CARRIGAN LAKE
X Lake Sampling Site
Sewage Treatment Plant
0 1/2 iMi.
L I I
Scale
4504’
- .
- ---; ---
__—
-
-
9356
MINN.
Map Location
9358
4503
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CARRIGAN LAKE
STORET NO. 2714
I. INTRODUCTION
Carrigan Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey
as a water body of interest to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Wastewater treatment plant samples were provided by the Village of
Waverly (Appendix B); however, tributaries were not sampled, and other
nutrient sources were not evaluated. Therefore, this report primarily
relates to the lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data show Carrigan Lake is hypereutrophic. Of the
60 Minnesota lakes sampled in the fall when essentially all were
well-mixed, 52 had less mean total phosphorus, 54 had less mean
dissolved phosphorus, and 29 had less mean inorganic nitrogen.
Of the 80 Minnesota lakes sampled, 66 had less mean chlorophyll a,
and 70 had greater and three had the same mean Secchi disc trans-
parency.
Survey limnologists noted this shallow lake was overgrown with
rooted aquatic plants and observed algal blooms in progress in
August and October, 1972.
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B. Rate—Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results indicate Carrigan Lake was nitrogen
limited at the time the sample was taken (10/26/72). The lake
data indicate nitrogen limitation in June and August as well.
C. Point-Source Nutrient Contribution:
Based on analyses of effluent samples from the activated
sludge plant serving the Village of Waverly*, this point source
contributed 380 pounds of total phosphorus and 810 pounds of
total nitrogen directly to Carrigan Lake during the Survey samp-
ling year.
* Anonymous, 1974.
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III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS
A. Morphometry:
1. Surface area: 162 acres*.
2. Mean depth: unknown.
3. Maximum depth: >4 feet (based on Survey sampling),
4. Volume: unknown.
B. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 26.9 inches.
2. Mean annual: 25.6 inches.
* Anonymous, 1968.
** See Working Paper No. 1, "Survey Methods, 1972".
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IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Carrigan 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
two 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 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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A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(10/26/72)
Parameter Surface Sample Only
Temperature (Cent.) 5.0
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 13.2
Conductivity (iimhos) 600
pH (units) 9.1
Alkalinity (mg/i) 188
Total P (mg/i) 0.810
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.570
NO 2 + NO 3 (mg/l) 0.080
Ammonia mg/l) 0.120
ALL VALUES
Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Secchi disc (inches) 8 11 12 13
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B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/30/72 1. Dinobryon 5,036
2. Mallomonas 344
3. Schroederia 266
4. Cocconeis 45
5. Fragilaria 18
Total 5,709
08/29/72 1. Anabaena 21,818
2. Merismopedia 2,727
3. Mecrocystis 455
4. Mallomonas 455
5. Nitzschia 182
Total 25,637
10/26/72 1. Cyclotella 35,152
2. Dinobryon 5,758
3. Flagellates 5,303
4. Dictyosphaerium 1,364
5. Cryptomonas 606
Other genera 3,787
Total 51 ,970
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 a
Date Number ( pg/i )
06/30/72 01 5.4
08/29/72 01 66.7
10/26/72 01 180.9
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Maximum yield
( mci/i-dry wt. )
13.2
11.3
12.3
12.1
10.8
141 .0
148.5
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autociaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i) Conc. (mg/fl _____________
Control 0.510 0.276
0.006 P 0.516 0.276
0.012 P 0.522 0.276
0.024 P 0.534 0.276
0.060 p 0.570 0.276
0.060 P + 10.0 N 0.570 10.276
10.0 N 0.510 10.276
2. Discussion -
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Carrigan Lake was high at the time the sample was col-
lected (10/26/72). Also, the results show that Carrigan Lake
was nitrogen limited at that time. Note that no growth
response resulted from spikes of phosphorus alone, but the
nitrogen only spike resulted in a yield more than ten-fold
that of the control.
The lake data show nitrogen limitation at all sampling
times; i.e., the N/P ratios were less than 1/i at all samp-
ling times, and nitrogen limitation would be expected.
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V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonynous, 1968. An inventory of Minnesota lakes. Bull. No. 25,
MN Dept. Cons., St. Paul.
Anonymous, 1974. Wastewater disposal facilities inventory. MPCA,
Minneapolis.
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VI. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STU ET •‘ETR1 VAL 34TE ‘/1 j/ 30
271601
L J 10.0 093 57 30.0
C ’1(il t L( ’
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APPENDIX B
WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT DATA
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STOPET PET8IEVAL DATF 74/10/30
?7I 5I AS27 1451 P000564
4 48 10.0 093 57 30.0
WAVERLY
27 15 BUFFALO
D/CARRIGAN LAKE
CARRIGAN LAKE
I IEPALES 2141204
4 0000 FEET OEPTH
00630 i) 06 25 00610 00671 00665 50051 50053
DATE TIME DEPT-I N026N03 TOT IcJEL N -l3—N PHOS—DIS P1-lOS—TOT FLOW CONOUIT
FROM OF N—TOTAL N TOTAL ORTI- lO RATE FLOw—MGD
TO DAY FEET MG/L G/L MG/L MG/L MG/L ‘ INST Mc,r) MONTHLY
73/01/23 II 00
CP(T)— 0.170 4.100 0.730 1.200 1.370 0.070 0.070
73/01/23 13 00
73/02/19 11 00
CP(T)— 0.060 4.000 0.660 1.600 1.800 0.075 0.071
71/02/19 II 00
73/04/23 11 00
CP(T)— 0.045 2.700 0.084 0.240 0.470 0.070 0.065
71/04/23 13 00
73/06/07 11 00
CP(T)— 0.130 2.200 0.?20 1.160 1.350 0.060 0.055
73/06/07 11 00
71/07/11 10 00 1.470 1.300 0.005K 2.100 0.065 0.065
73/09/25 10 00 0.440 6.800 0.440 1.800 4.200 0.060
73/10/30 10 00
CPU)— 2.000 7.600 0.010K 1.200 5.400 0.060
73/10/30 1? 00
73/11/30 10 00
CP(T)— 1.890 5.400 0.110 2.R00 4.900 0.045 0.044
73/Il/3D 1 00
73/12/28 09 00
CP(T)— 0.890 10.500 0.260 4.100 4.300 0.055 0.050
73/12/28 11 (10
74/01/28 10 00
CP(T)— 4.900 5.000 0.063 5.450 7.600 0.064 0.058
74/01/2% 1 00
74/02/26 09 00
CPU)— 11.200 3.700 0.050K 4.900 7.700 0.054
74/02/26 11 00
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE LESS
THAN INDICATED
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