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
697.032
-------
REPORT
ON
LAKE GENEVA
WALWORTH COM
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 61
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD
JULY, 1975
-------
1
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Wisconsin Study Lakes iv, v
Lake and Drainage Area Map vi
Sections
I. Introduction 1
II. Conclusions 1
III. Lake and Drainage Basin Characteristics 3
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 4
V. Literature Reviewed 8
VI. Appendices 9
-------
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 [ 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 Wisconsin
Department of Natural Resources. Only the outlet stream was sampled,
and this report relates only to the data obtained from lake sampling.
-------
•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 Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources for professional involvement and to the
Wisconsin National Guard for conducting the tributary sampling
phase of the Survey.
Francis H. Schraufnagel, Acting Assistant Director, and Joseph
R. Ball of the Bureau of Water Quality, and Donald R. Winter, Lake
Rehabilitation Program, provided invaluable lake documentation and
counsel during the Survey. Central Office and District Office per-
sonnel of the Department of Natural Resources reviewed the prelim-
inary reports and provided critiques most useful in the preparation
of this Working Paper series.
Major General James J. Lison, Jr., the Adjutant General of
Wisconsin, and Project Officer CW-4 Donald D. Erickson, who directed
the volunteer efforts of the Wisconsin National Guardsmen, are also
gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
-------
iv
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES
STATE OF WISCONSIN
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Altoona Eau Claire
Beaver Dam Barron
Beaver Dam Dodge
Big Eau Pleine Marathon
Browns Racine
Butte des Morts Winnebago
Butternut Price, Ashland
Castle Rock Flowage Juneau
Conio Walworth
Crystal Vilas
Delavan Walworth
Eau Claire Eau Claire
Geneva Walworth
Grand Green Lake
Green Green Lake
Kegonsa Dane
Koshkonong Jefferson, Rock, Dane
Lac La Belle Waukesha
Middle Walworth
Nagawicka Waukesha
Oconornowoc Waukesha
Okauchee Waukesha
Petenwell Flowage Juneau
Pewaukee Waukesha
Pigeon Waupaca
Pine Waukesha
Poygan Winnebago, Waushara
Rock Jefferson
Rome Pond Jefferson, Waukesha
Round Waupaca
Shawano Shawano
Sinnissippi Dodge
-------
V
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Swan Columbia
Tainter Dunn
Tichigan Racine
Townline Oneida
Trout Vilas
Wapogassett Polk
Wausau Marathon
Willow Oneida
Winnebago Winnebago, Fond Du Lac,
Cal umet
Wisconsin Columbia
Wissota Chippewa
Yellow Burnett
-------
LAKE GENEVA
Lake Sampling Site
Tributary Sampling Site
Direct Drainage Area Boundary
0 1 2 M1.
Scale
/
/
P )
(
1.
-------
LAKE GENEVA
STORET NO. 5561
I. INTRODUCTION
Lake Geneva was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as
a water body of interest to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
No wastewater treatment plants impact the lake, and only the outlet stream
was sampled (Appendix C). Therefore, this report only relates to lake
sampling data.
The villages of Fontana on Lake Geneva and Williams Bay at the west
end of the lake are served by Secondary wastewater treatment plants and
absorption lagoons with no discharge to surface waters; the effluent from
the secondary facilities serving the City of Lake Geneva at the east end
of the lake is discharged to the White River below the outlet of the lake
(McKersie, et al., 1972).
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data and reports of others (Lueschow, et al., 1970;
Poff, et al., 1969) indicate Lake Geneva is mesotronhic. Of
the 46 Wisconsin lakes sampled, four had less and one the same
mean total phosphorus, four had less and one the same mean dis-
solved phosphorus, three had less mean inorganic nitrogen, 11
had less mean chlorophyll a, and five had greater mean Secchi
-------
2
disc transparency. There was little depression of dissolved
oxygen with depth at any of the three sampling stations in
August (to depths of 100 feet); but near-depletion occurred
at station 2 in November, 1972 (at 96 feet).
Although chemicals have been used for a number of years
(Lueschow, 1972), Poff, et al. (1969) noted that rooted aquatic
vegetation and filamentous algae generally were sparse and
observed that “Even under these seemingly ideal conditions,
there have been annual applications of.. .chemicals for the
control of aquatic nuisances...”.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
There was a 50% loss of dissolved phosphorus and a 16%
gain in inorganic nitrogen in the algal assay sample between
the time of collection (11/10/72) and the beginning of the
assay. This change shifted the limiting nutrient from nitro-
gen in the lake (N/P = 8/1) to phosphorus limitation in the
sample (N/P = 15/1), and the assay results are not representa-
tive of lake conditions at the time the sample was taken.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in June as well
(N/P = 7/1) but phosphorus limitation in August (N/P = 18/1).
-------
III. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometry :
1. Surface area: 5,262 acres.
2. Mean depth: 61 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 135 feet.
4. Volume: 320,984 acre-feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 29 years (24 years with
outflow given below).
B. Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
Name
White River
C. Precipitation***:
1. Year of sampling: 38.7 inches.
2. Mean annual: 32.9 inches.
Drainage area Mean flow
(mi 2)* (cfs)
28.6**
18.5
t Poff, et al., 1969.
* Drainage areas are accurate within ±0.5%; mean daily flows are accurate
within ±40%; mean monthly flows are accurate within ±35%; and normalized
monthly flows are accurate within ±35%.
** Includes area of lake.
*** See Working Paper No. 1, "Survey Methods, 1972".
-------
4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Lake Geneva 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 three
stations on the lake and from a number of depths at each station (see
map, page vi). During each visit, a single depth-integrated (15 feet
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 stations for chlorophyll a analysis. The maximum depths sampled
were 50 feet at station 1, 100 feet at station 2, and 95 feet at sta-
tion 3.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix B, 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 Appendix B.
-------
5
A. Physical arid chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(11/10/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 7.3 9.0 9.2 9.3
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 0.6 8.5 9.0 9.6
Conductivity (pmhos) 390 399 400 400
pH (units) 7.5 8.1 8.1 8.2
Alkalinity (mg/i) 177 184 183 190
Total P (mg/l) 0.015 0.019 0.017 0.047
Dissolved P (mg/l) 0.007 0.010 0.009 0.039
NO 2 + N0 (mg/i) 0.010 0.041 0.040 0.180
Ammonia mg/1) 0.030 0.038 0.040 0.090
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 105 126 123 144
-------
6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. PhytoplanktOfl -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera — per ml
06/21/72 1. Dinobryon 497
2. Oocystis 416
3. Flagellates 226
4. Flagilaria 217
5. Synedra 99
Other genera 425
Total 1,880
08/16/72 1. Microcystis 1,463
2. Merismopedia 875
3. ChroococcUs 634
4. Dinobryon 332
5. Synura 196
Other genera 542
Total 4,042
11/10/72 1. Dinobryon 1,036
2. Flagellates 942
3. Oscillatoria 301
4. Navicula 245
5. Asterionella 245
Other genera 1 ,035
Total 3,804
-------
7
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 )
06/21/72 01 7.8
02 2.8
03 4.4
08/16/72 01 2.0
02 2.2
03 2.2
11/10/72 01 13.4
02 9.4
03 7.7
-------
8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Lueschow, Lloyd A., 1972. Biology and control of aquatic nuisances
in recreational waters. Tech. Bull. No. 57, WI Dept. Nat.
Resources, Madison.
__________ James M. Helm, Donald R. Winter, and Gary W. Karl; 1970.
Trophic nature of selected Wisconsin lakes. Trans. Wisc. Acad.
Sci., Arts & Ltrs., vol. 58, PP. 237-264.
McElwee, William D., 1972. Personal communication (excerpts from “A
comprehensive plan for the Fox River watershed”). SE Wisc. Reg.
Planning Comm., Waukesha.
McKersie, Jerome R., Robert 11. Krill, Bernard G. Schultz, and Terry
A. Moe; 1972. Fox (Illinois) River pollution investigation survey.
WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Poff, Ronald J., and C. W. Threinen, 1961. Surface water resources
of Walworth County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison.
Poff, Ronald, C. W. Threinen, Ronald Peining, Donald Mraz, Wilbur
Byam, Brian Belonger, Warren Churchill, and D. John O’Donnell;
1969. Lake Geneva, Walworth County; an inventory with planning
recommendations. WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
-------
9
VI APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
-------
TRIBUTARY FLOW INFORMATION FOR WISCONSIN 9/30/74
LAP(E CODE 5561 LAKE GENEVA
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE 28.60
SUB—DRAINAGE NORMALIZED FLOWS
TRIBUTARY AREA JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC MEAN
5561A 1 28.60 12.00 13.00 30.00 30.00 23.00 33.00 14.00 11.00 14.00 14.00 15.00 13.00 18.50
5561Z 1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
SUMMARY
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE = 28.60 TOTAL FLOW IN 0.0
SUM OF SUB—DRAINAGE AREAS = 0.0 TOTAL FLOW OUT = 222.00
NOTE *00 NO INLET STREAMS
MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS AND DAILY FLOWS
TRIBUTARY MONTH YEAR MEAN FLOW DAY FLOW DAY FLOW DAY FLOW
5561A1 9 72 53.00 23 75.00
10 72 36.00 20 21.00
11 72 28.00 29 18.00
12 72 18.00 27 15.00
73 28.00 29 23.00
2 73 21.00 24 13.00
3 73 56.00 20 52.00
4 73 150.00 14 130.00 30 150.00
5 73 62.00 17 48.00 26 48.00
6 73 28.00 22 26.00
7 73 9.00 22 17.00
8 73 5.50 24 8.00
-------
APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
556101
42 33 54.0 088 29 18.0
LAIcE GENEVA
55 WISCONSIN
11EPALES 2111202
3 0020 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER 00 TRANSP CNDUCTVY PH T ALK NO2 NO3 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS-DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICRONHO SU P4G/L MG/L MG/L MG/L P HG/L P
72/06/21 17 20 0000 19.5 9.2 120 340 8.50 178 0.020 0.020 0.013 0.006
17 20 0015 19.4 9.8 345 8.50 177 0.020 0.030 0.016 0.010
72/08/16 16 30 0000 140 370 8.45 164 0.050 0.060 0.010 0.006
16 30 0004 22.5 9.3 365 8.45 165 0.050 0.060 0.010 0.006
16 30 0015 ?1.9 9.4 370 8.40 162 0.060 0.060 0.011 0.006
16 30 0040 17.9 8.? 395 8.20 171 0.050 0.050 0.011 0.005
72/11/10 08 00 0000 105 400 8.20 183 0.020 0.040 0.017 0.009
08 00 0004 8.9 9.4 400 8.20 183 0.020 0.030 0.017 0.008
08 00 0015 8.9 9.? 400 8.20 185 0.020 0.030 0.017 0.009
08 00 0025 8.9 9.6 400 8.20 183 0.010 0.030 0.017 0.008
08 00 0040 8.9 9.5 400 8.20 183 0.020 0.040 0.018 0.009
08 00 0050 8.9 9.1 400 8.10 187 0.020 0.040 0.022 0.009
32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/06/21 17 20 0000 7.8J
7?/08/16 16 30 0000 2.OJ
72/11/10 08 00 0000 13.4J
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
-------
STOPET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
556102
4? 33 48.0 088 32 06.0
LAKE GENEVA
55 WISCONSIN
11EPALES 2111202
3 0070 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNDIJCTVY PH 1 ALK NO? .NO3 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS-DIS
rROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N-TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMHO SU MG/L MG/L MG/L MG/L P MG/L P
7?/06/21 17 35 0000 19.1 10.1 144 340 8.60 178 0.020 0.020 0.013 0.005
17 35 0015 19.0 10.0 340 8.60 180 0.010 0.020 0.014 0.005
17 35 0030 ii . ) 11.0 345 8.40 181 0.010 0.020 0.019 0.008
17 35 0060 6.6 10.4 350 8.20 182 0.020 0.040 0.010 0.005
7?/08/16 15 40 0000 124 382 8.40 165 0. OSO 0.050 0.010 0.005
IS 40 0004 22.3 9.2 380 8.40 165 0.060 0.050 0.009 0.005
15 40 0015 ?2.1 9.1 375 8.30 165 0.060 0.050 0.009 0.005
15 40 0040 13.2 8.2 395 8.00 179 0.050 0.050 0.014 0.006
15 40 0045 9.8
15 40 0050 8.5 7.1 400 7.80 182 0.080 0.050 0.010 0.006
15 40 0055 8.4
15 40 0060 7.8
15 40 0065 7.6
15 40 0070 7.4
15 40 0075 7.3 6.9 405 7.80 182 0.110 0.050 0.010 0.006
15 40 0100 6.1 6.4 403 7.75 183 0.190 0.050 0.023 0.013
721)1/10 08 50 0000 122 400 8.10 187 0.040 0.030 0.016 0.007
08 50 0004 9.2 8.8 400 8.10 188 0.040 0.030 0.015 0.008
08 50 0015 9.2 8.5 400 8.10 186 0.040 0.040 0.016 0.008
08 50 0035 9.2 9.5 400 8.10 181 0.040 0.030 0.015 0.007
08 50 0055 9.2 8.6 400 8.10 182 0.040 0.040 0.016 0.007
08 50 0075 9.3 8.7 400 8.20 184 0.040 0.040 0.015 0.007
08 50 0096 7.3 0.6 400 7.50 190 0.180 0.090 0.047 0.039
32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
7?/06/2 1 17 35 0000 2.8J
72/09/16 15 40 0000 2.2J
72111/10 08 50 0000 9.4J
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
556103
42 33 12.0 088 33 48.0
LAKE GENEVA
55 WISCONSIN
11EPALES 2111202
3 0065 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNDUCTVv PH T ALK N02&N03 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N-TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHFS MICROMMO SU MG/L MG/I MG/L MG/L P MG/I P
72/06/21 18 05 0000 19.4 345 8.60 178 0.010 0.030 0.012 0.007
18 05 0015 19.4 9.5
LA 05 0030 11.2 10.8 350 8.40 181 0.010 0.030 0.020 0.006
18 05 0060 6.4 9.0 350 8.00 180 0,020 0.040 0.015 0.005
72/08/16 17 00 0000 134 385 8.45 166 0.060 0.060 0.009 0.005
17 00 0004 22.3 9.3 383 8.45 166 0.050 0.060 0.010 0.005
17 00 0015 22.1 9.2 380 8.43 167 0.050 0.060 0.013 0.006
17 00 0025 19.3 8.8 383 9.30 167 0.050 0.060 0.012 0.006
17 00 0035 13.1 8.4 400 7.90 175 0.040 0.050 0.016 0.006
17 00 0045 9.6 7.6 400 7.85 177 0.050 0.050 0.011 0.006
17 00 0055 8.3 7.7 405 7.83 185 0.050 0.050 0.011 0.006
17 00 0065 7.4 7.5 407 7.80 176 0.080 0.060 0.011 0.006
17 00 0075 7.0 7.8 410 7.80 178 0.100 0.060 0.010 0.006
17 00 0085 6.8 7.4 415 7.80 183 0.120 0.060 0.010 0.006
I? 00 0095 6.4 6.9 380 7.85 181 0.140 0.060 0.022 0.009
72/11/10 09 35 0000 120 390 7.90 177 0.040 0.040 0.015 0.008
09 35 0004 9.2 8.7 400 8.00 182 0.040 0.040 0.017 0.009
09 35 0015 9.2 8.7 400 8.00 182 0.040 0.040 0.017 0.009
09 35 0025 9.2
09 35 0035 9.2 9.0 400 8.00 185 0.040 0.040 0.019 0.010
09 35 0045 9.2
09 35 0055 9.2 9.0 400 8.00 182 0.040 0.030 0.019 0.009
09 35 0065 9.2
09 35 0075 9.2 9.2 400 8.00 184 0.040 0.030 0.019 0.009
322)7
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/06/21 18 OS 0000 4.4J
72/09/1’ , 17 00 0000 2.2J
72/11/10 09 35 0000 7.7J
3 VALUE } NOWN TO BE IN ERROR
-------
APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY DATA
-------
STORET PETPTEVAL DATE 74/10/02
556 LA
42 36
WHITE
55
0/LAKE
ST ‘-IWY
I EPALES
4
1 LS556LA1
00.0 088 26 00.0
l U V ER
15 LAKE GENEVA
GENEVA
50 BRDG SE CORNER LAKE GENEVA
2111204
0000 FEET DEPTH
K VALUE KNOWN TO E LESS
THAN INDICATED
00630
00625
00610
00671
00665
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
NO? NO3
TOT KJFL
NH3—N
PHOS-flIS
PHOS—TOT
FROM
OF
N—TOTAL
N
TOTAL
ORTHO
TO
DAY
FFET
MG/L
MG/L
MG/I
MG/L P
MG/I P
7?/09/?3
08
45
0.037
1.760
0.099
0.00 5K
0.016
72/10/20
16
40
0.0F 9
1.200
0.129
0.039
72/11/29
15
30
0.031
0.565
0.009
0.005K
0.0?
72/12/27
09
25
0.066
0.580
0.315
0.005K
0.023
73/01/29
15
30
0.058
0.390
0.01?
0.005K
0.020
73/02/24
1?
15
0.034
0.540
0.012
0.010
0.015
71/03/20
1?
00
0.168
1.300
0.123
0.008
73/04/14
16
?0
0.011
0.500
0.012
0.00 5K
0.025
73/04/30
15
?0
0.044
1.680
0.074
0.006
0.060
71/05/17
17
15
0.015
0.690
0.010
0.012
0.030
73/05/26
12
35
0.010K
1.800
0.046
0.006
0.025
71/06/7?
14
30
0.013
0.460
0.011
0.008
0.015
73/07/22
12
30
o.Oig
0.420
0.031
0.005K
0.020
73/08/?4
09
40
0.04.
1.200
0.080
0.0?0
0.025
------- |