U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
WALUW (MUD) LAKE
CHISAGO 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
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REPORT
ON
WALLMARK (MUD) LAKE
CHISAGO COM
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 146
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
JANUARY, 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 Morphometry 2
IV. Precipitation 2
V. Lake Water Quality Summary 3
VI. Literature Reviewed 7
VII. Appendix 8
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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 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 [ 5303(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 5303(c)], clean lakes [ 53l4(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 water body of interest to the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency. Tributaries and nutrient sources 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
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 Kandlyohi
Wailmark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrami, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohl
Zumbro Olrnstead, Wabasha
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La ke
M tt9os1
L A KE
WALLMARtc LME
X 1 ke
%*
Sout.h
L cJs±.i-ori
Lake
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WALLMARK (MUD) LAKE
STORET NO. 27B7
I. INTRODUCTION
Walimark 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 not sampled, and this report
relates only to the data obtained from lake sampling.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data show that Walimark Lake is eutrophic. Of the 60
Minnesota lakes sampled in the fall when essentially all were well-
mixed, none had higher mean total and dissolved phosphorus, and
only 6 lakes had higher mean inorganic nitrogen. Of the 80 Minne-
sota lakes sampled, only one had higher mean chlorophyll a, and
66 had greater Secchi disc transparency.
Survey limnologists observed algal blooms in August and early
November and noted the presence of abundant rooted aquatic vegeta-
tion.
B. Rate—Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results show that Wailmark Lake was nitrogen
limited at the time the sample was collected. The lake data
indicate nitrogen limitation at the other sampling times as well.
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2
III. LAKE MORPHOMETRY*
A. Surface Area: 117 acres.
B. Mean Depth: unknown.
C. Maximum Depth: >8 feet.
0. Volume: unknown.
IV. PRECIPITATION
A. Year of Sampling: 27.5 inches.
B. Mean Annual: 27.3 inches.
* Anonymous, 1968.
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V. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Wallmark 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
or more depths at 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
similar sample was taken for chlorophyll a_ analysis. During the last
visit, a five-gallon depth-integrated sample was collected for algal
assays.
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
(11/05/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 4.8 4.8 4.8 4.8
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 10.8 10.8 10.8 10.8
Conductivity ( .inihos) 360 360 360 360
pH (units) 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4
Alkalinity (mg/i) 110 110 110 110
Total P (mg/i) 5.180 5.220 5.220 5.260
Dissolved P (mg/i) 4.780 4.820 4.820 4.860
NO + NO (mg/l) 0.420 0.425 0.425 0.430
Am onia m/gi) 0.800 0.810 0.810 0.820
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 12 12 12 13
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5
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton* -
Sampling
Date
08/27/ 72
Dominant
Genera
1. Oscillatoria
2. Merismopedia
3. Gleocapsa
4. Cryptomonas
5. Anabaena
Other genera
Total
Number
per ml
22,883
8,198
7,207
3,784
2 ,342
5,946
50,360
1. Kirchneriella
2. Rhaphidiopsis
3. Microcystis
4. Scenedesmus
5. Aphanocapsa
Other genera
Total
2. Chlorophyll a -
(Because of instrumentation problems during the
the following values may be in error by plus or
08/27/72
11/05/72
01
01
13,636
5,090
4,182
3,636
2,364
15,637
44,545
327.1
231 .9
11/05/72
Sampling
Date
Station
Number
07/07/72 01
1972 sampling,
minus 20 percent.)
Chlorophyll a
( pg/i) —
187.8
* The July sample was lost in shipment.
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6
Maximum yield
( mg/i-dry wt. )
34.2
34.6
36.8
37.9
31 .0
84.5
80.8
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i ) ____________
Control 1 .800 1 .070
0.005 P 1.805 1.070
o.oio P 1.810 1.070
0.020 P 1.820 1.070
0.050 P 1.850 1.070
0.050 P + 10.0 N 1.850 11 .070
10.0 N 1.800 11.070
2. Discussion —
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates a high level of primary productivity in
Walirnark Lake at the time the sample was collected. Also,
the lack of significant changes in yield with increasing incre-
ments of phosphorus, until nitrogen was also added, indicates
Wailmark Lake was nitrogen limited (note the markedly greater
yield when only nitrogen was added).
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation at the other
sampling times as well (N/P ratios were less than 1/1).
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7
VI. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonymous, 1968. Inventory of Minnesota lakes. MN Dept. of Cons.,
St. Paul.
Spicer, Richard A., 1960. Report on investigation of Wallmark Lake,
Chisago County, Minnesota. MN Dept. of Health, Minneapolis.
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VII. APPENDIX
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/10/30
278701
45 23 00.0 092 53 00.0
WALLMARK LAKE
27 MINNESOTA
11EPALES 2111202
5 0010 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
PD
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
7?/07/07 13 25 0000
13 5 0004
13 25 0008
72/08/27 11 55 0000
11 65 0004
72/11/05 12 00 0000
1? 00 0004
00300 00077
DO TRANSP
SECCI-4 1
1G/L INCHES
. I
12
7.#,
13
10.8
00094
CNDUCTVY
FIELD
MICROMHO
305
105
315
311
360
360
00400 00410
PH TALK
C ACO 3
SU MG/L
8.90 96
92
8.90 93
8.65 97
8.72 96
8.40 110
8.40 110
00010
WATER
TEMP
CENT
20.0
‘0.0
18.3
18.1
4.8
3 ’2 17
CHL PHYL
A
UC’IL
1 7 •
1’7 • I J
?31 .9J
00665 00666
PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
MG/L P MG/L P
00630
NO2&N 03
N—TOT AL
MG/I
0.100
0.110
0.060
0.200
0.180
0.420
0.430
00610
NH3—N
TOTAL
MG/L
0.610
0.550
0.590
0.580
0.480
0.800
0.820
DATE
FROM
TO
72/07/07
7?/0R/27
72/1 1/05
2 • 680
2.830
3.040
4. 240
3. 660
5.180
5.260
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
13 75 0000
LI c 0000
1? 00 0000
2.280
2 • 460
2.430
3.680
3.580
4.860
4.780
J VALUE KNOWN TO 8E ERROR
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