U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
BIRCH LAKE
CASS COUNTY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No,
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
•trOFO 697.032
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REPORT
ON
BIRCH LAI€
CASSCOMY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 145
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
JANUARY, 1975
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I
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 Morphometry 2
IV. Precipitation 2
V. Lake Water Quality Sumary 3
VI. Appendix 8
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ii
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
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 [ 5303(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 5303(c)], clean lakes [ 5314(a,b)],
and water quality monitoring [ 5106 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 lake of special interest to the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency. For this reason, tributaries and nutrient
sources were not sampled, and this report relates only to data ob-
tained from lake sampling.
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lii
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 als9
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 Beltraml
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 Hornnie 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
Wallmark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrami, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohi
Zumbro Olrnstead, Wabasha
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C
2IRCH
LAKE
Pj Loc. rs
BIRCH LAKE
)c 01 ...I 1sie 5 Pnplin 5 t sft.t
c2
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BIRCH LAKE
STORET NO. 2710
I. INTRODUCTION
Birch Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as
a water body of interest to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
Tributaries and nutrient sources were riot sampled, and this report
relates only to data obtained from lake sampling.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data indicate that Birch Lake is eutrophic. Of
the 60 Minnesota lakes sampled in the fall when essentially
all were well—mixed, 11 had less mean total phosphorus, 16
had less mean dissolved phosphorus, but none had less mean
inorganic nitrogen. Of the 80 Minnesota lakes sampled, nine
had less mean chlorophyll a, and 10 had greater Secchi disc
transparency.
Near depletion of oxygen with depth occurred at station 2
in July and September.
B. Rate—Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results show that Birch Lake was nitrogen
limited at the time the sample was collected. However, the
lake data indicate phosphorus limitation in September (N/P
ratio = 24/1) but a borderline condition in July (N/P = 13/1).
* DNR lake survey map (1957).
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2
III. LAKE MORPHOMETRY*
A. Surface Area: 1,283 acres.
B. Mean Depth: 10 feet.
C. Maximum Depth: 45 feet.
D. Volume: 12,830 acre feet.
IV. PRECIPITATION
A. Year of Sampling: 26.7 inches.
B. Mean Annual: 23.8 inches.
* DNR lake survey map (1957).
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V. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Birch 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 two stations on
the lake and from one or more depths at each station (see map, page vi).
During each visit, a single depth-integrated (15 feet or near bottom to
surface) sample was composited from the stations for phytoplankton
identification and enumeration; and during the last visit, a single five-
gallon depth-integrated sample was composited for algal assays. Also
each time, a depth-integrated sample was collected from each of the sta-
tions for chlorophyll a_ analysis. The maximum depths sampled were 4 feet
at station 1 and 34 feet at station 2.
The results obtained are presented in full in the Appendix, and the
data for the fall sampling period, when the lake essentially was well-
mixed, are summarized below. Note, however, the Secchi disc summary
is based on all values.
For differences in the various parameters at the other sampling
times, refer to the Appendix.
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4
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(10/24/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 3.1 4.9 5.4 5.4
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 10.8 11.3 11.0 12.8
Conductivity (pmhos) 190 207 210 210
pH (units) 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.5
Alkalinity (mg/i) 98 105 106 107
Total P (mg/l) 0.015 0.029 0.030 0.037
Dissolved P (mg/l) 0.009 0.019 0.020 0.026
NO + NO (mg/i) 0.020 0.023 0.020 0.030
AJonia mg/l) 0.020 0.023 0.020 0.040
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 54 96 90 168
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5
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
07/12/72 1. Dinobryon 1,628
2. Microcystis 253
3. Cyclotella 229
4. Anabaena 109
5. Navicula 96
Other genera 182
Total 2,497
09/08/72 1. Chroococcus 1,315
2. Flagellates 693
3. Dinobryon 231
4. Anabaena 90
5. Cryptornonas 60
Other genera 272
Total 2,661
10/24/72 1. Flagellates 2,035
2. Dinobryon 1,533
3. Fragilaria 427
4. Anabaena 201
5. Cryptonionas 176
Other genera 1 4O6
Total 5,778
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6
Spike (mg/i )
Con troi
0.005 P
0.010 P
0.020 P
0.050 P
0.050 P + 10.0 N
10.0 N
02
01
02
01
02
and nutrient spiked -
Inorganic N
Conc. (mg/i )
0.100
0.100 *
0.100
0.100
0.100
10.100
Maximum yield N/P
( mg/i-dry wt.) Ratio
1.4 6/1
1.4 -
1.3 -
1.4 -
1.6 -
27.3 151/1
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 )
07/12/72 01 11.7
09/08/72 1.5
4.0
10/24/72 4•9
8.8
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered,
Ortho P
___________ Conc. (mg/i )
0.017
0.022
0.027
0.037
0.067
0.067
(not done)
2. Discussion —
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the primary productivity of Birch
Lake was moderate at the time the sample was collected. Also,
the lack of significant changes in yields with increasing
increments of phosphorus, until nitrogen also was added, indi-
cates that Birch Lake was nitrogen limited at the time of
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7
sampling. The nitrogen/phosphorus ratio in the lake when
the sample was collected (about 2.5 to 1) confirms this
conclusion. However, the N/P ratio of about 24 to 1 in
the September lake sample indicates that Birch Lake may
also be phosphorus limited at times (this has been ob-
served in some other Survey lakes, including Shagawa
Lake).
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VI. APPENDIX
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STOPET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/10/30
271001
46 56 00.0 094 31 30.0
BIRCH LAKE
27 MINNESOTA
11EPALES 2111202
4 0004 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME OE”TH ATFR 00 TPA! JSP CNDUCTVY PM I ALK N02&N03 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT ‘1G/L INCHES MICROMMO SU NG/ 14G/L MG/I .. MG/L P MG/L P
7?/07/1? 17 50 0000 72
17 50 0004 24.2 10.? 150 8.40 124 0.040 0.040 0.019 0.008
72/09/08 14 40 0000 19.5 9.9 E 0 180 8.70 88 0.050 0.100 0.012 0.008
72/10/24 09 05 0000 3.1 1?.8 5’. 190 8.50 98 0.030 0.040 0.015 0.010
3?717
DATE TIME DEPTH CHL PHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET IJG/L
72/07/1? 17 50 0000 l1.7J
72/09/OM 14 40 0000 1.5J
7?/10/24 09 05 0000 4 JJ
J VALUE KNOWN TO HE jN RR0
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STORET RETpTF VAL DATE 74/1 J/
271002
46 56 45.0 094 32 30.0
eIRCH LAKE
27 MINNESOTA
I IEPALES
4
2111202
0024 FEET DEPTH
00019
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
D 1 E
TIMF DEPTH
WATEP
(30
T’ ANSP
CNDIJCTVY
PH
T
ALK
N02&N03
NM3—N
PHOS—TOT
PHOS—DIS
FROM
OF
TEMP
SECCHI
FIELD
CAC03
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
Day FEET
CENT
‘ G/L
INCHES
MICROMHO
SU
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
M&L P
MG/L P
72/07/12
IA 05 0000
168
IH 05 0004
23 .7
f•4
180
7.90
102
0.030
0.040
0.013
0.008
IA 05 0015
‘1.
6.4
190
7.60
109
0.040
0.050
0.018
0.013
I A 05 0024
11.7
u.6
205
6.50
117
0.050
0.180
0.015
0.008
72/09/08
14 00 0000
108
215
7.95
111
0.050
0.080
0.019
0.010
14 00 000”
19.3
.O
210
7.90
108
0.050
0.060
0.018
0.007
14 00 0015
18.5
7.7
215
7.90
106
0.050
0.060
0.017
0.006
14 00 0020
1F.4
7•c
215
7.85
105
0.040
0.060
0.016
0.007
14 00 0027
1’.O
l. A
225
7.20
115
0.040
0.120
0.021
0.015
14 00 0034
3.Q
‘.3
265
7.10
129
0.080
0.680
0.064
0.007
72/10/24
09 25 oOQØ
115
210
8.20
105
0.020
0.020
0.033
0.023
(19 25 0004
5. ’ .
10.8
710
8.2 o
105
0.020
0.020
0.034
0.026
09 25 0015
5. .
1 1.0
‘10
8.20
106
0.020
0.020
0.037
0.026
09 25 0027
5.4
11.0
210
8.20
107
0.020
0.020
0.027
0.018
09 ?5 0929
5. 1
Ifl.8
210
8.20
106
0.030
0.020
0.027
0.009
DATE
TIMF D PT9
3”l 7
C - L . PHYL
EPOM
OF
TO
I)AY FEET
‘J /L
72/09/OH
14 00 000’)
..JJ
72/10/24
09 “ 000’)
J VALUE KNOW’ TO r L I PP 0
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