U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
LAC LA BELIE
WAUKESHA COUNTY
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 62
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
& GPO—697.032
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REPORT
ON
LAC LA BELIE
WAUKESHA COUNTY
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 62
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD
JUNE, 1975
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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 2
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 3
V. Literature Reviewed I 8
VI. Appendices 9
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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 mod l 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 [ 5314(a,b)],
and water quality monitoring [ 1O6 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. 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 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 0. Erickson, who directed
the volunteer efforts of the Wisconsin National Guardsmen, are also
gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
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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
Como 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
Oconomowoc 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
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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
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fl
- •N • ..-- \
(
LAC LA BELLE
Lake Sampling Site
Tributary Sampling Site
Direct Drainage Area Boundary
‘Mi.
cT
6.
z 4
0
11
Wisconsi
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LAC LA BELLE
STORET NO. 5563
I. INTRODUCTION
Lac La Belle was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as
a water body of interest to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
The inlet and outlet of the lake were sampled (Appendix C), but no waste-
water treatment plants impact the lake. Therefore, this report relates
only to the lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data indicate Lac La Belle is meso-eutrophic. Of the
46 Wisconsin lakes sampled, two had less mean total phosphorus,
one had less and two had the same mean dissolved phosphorus, 11
had less mean inorganic nitrogen, 17 had less mean chlorophyll a,
and nine had greater mean Secchi disc transparency. Some depres-
sion of dissolved oxygen occurred at the 24-foot depth in August
at station 2.
Aquatic weeds are a major use-problem (Poff and Threinen, 1963),
and the lake has been chemically treated to control weeds for a
number of years (Lueschow, 1972).
B. Rate—Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results indicate Lac La Belle was phosphorus
limited at the time the sample was taken (11/09/72). The lake
data indicate phosphorus limitation at the other sampling times as
well.
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2
III. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometryt:
1. Surface area: 1,117 acres.
2. Mean depth: 11.6 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 46 feet.
4. Volume: 12,924 acre-feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 93 days.
B. Tributary and Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
1. Tributaries -
Drainage area Mean flow
Name ( mi )* ( cfs)*
Oconomowoc River (Fowler
Lake outlet) 91.0 61.4
Minor tributaries &
immediate drainage - 10.3 8.9
Totals 101.3 70.3
2. Outlet -
Oconomowoc River 103.0** 70.3
C. Precipitation***:
1. Year of sampling: 38.7 inches.
2. Mean annual: 30.7 inches.
t Ball, 1973.
* 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, uSurvey Methods, 1972”.
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3
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Lac La Belle 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 a number of 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 stations for chlorophyll a analysis. The maximum depths
sampled were 31 feet at station 1 and 26 feet at station 2.
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.
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4
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(11/09/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 6.8 6.9 6.9 7.0
Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 10.8 11.0 11.0 11.3
Conductivity (iimhos) 465 471 470 480
pH (units) 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.3
Alkalinity (mg/i) 189 191 191 193
Total P (mg/i) 0.012 0.014 0.014 0.016
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.006 0.007 0.007 0.009
NO 2 + N0 (mg/i) 0.170 0.206 0.210 0.230
Ammonia ‘(mg/i) 0.040 0.055 0.055 0.070
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 60 64 78 101
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5
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/23/72 1. Merismopedia 1,790
2. Microcystis 1,356
3. Chroococcus 362
4. Scenedesmus 307
5. Gloeocapsa 217
Other genera 1 ,049
Total 5,081
08/19/72 1. Merismopedia 8,825
2. Chroococcus 979
3. F agilaria 783
4. Microcystis 512
5. Lagerheima 482
Other genera 1 ,973
Total 13,554
11/09/72 1. Stichococcus 2,453
2. Dinobryon 641
3. Asterionella 528
4. Fragilaria 528
5. Flagellates 283
Other genera 3,378
Total 7,811
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6
01
02
01
02
5.5
4.3
12.2
9.4
Maximum yield
( mg/i-dry wt. )
0.2
0.3
2.0
5.8
6.6
25.2
0.1
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 ( .ig/1 )
06/23/72 01 9.6
02 6.6
08/1 9/72
11/09/72
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Spike ( mg/l) Conc. (m a/1) Conc. (mg/i ) _____________
Control 0.006 0.272
0.006 P 0.012 0.272
0.012 P 0.018 0.272
0.024 P 0.030 0.272
0.060 P 0.066 0.272
0.060 P + 10.0 N 0.060 10.272
10.0 N 0.006 10.272
2. Discussion -
The results of the algal assay with Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicate the potential primary productivity of
Lac La Belle was relatively low at the time the sample was
collected (11/09/72). Also, increased yields with increased
levels of orthophosphorus indicate the lake was phosphorus
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7
limited at that time (note the lack of yield response when
only nitrogen was added).
The lake data indicate phosphorus limitation at the
other sampling times as well; i.e., N/P ratios were 20/1
or greater, and phosphorus limitation would be expected.
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8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Ball, Joseph R., 1973. Personal communication (lake morphometry).
WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Lueschow, Lloyd A., 1972. Biology and control of aquatic nuisances
in recreational waters. Tech. Bull. No. 57, WI Dept. Nat.
Resources, Madison.
McKersie, Jerome, George Hansel, Floyd Stautz, and Dick Narf; 1969.
Report on an investigation of the pollution in the upper Rock
River drainage made during 1967-1968. WI Dept. Nat. Resources,
Madison.
Poff, Ronald J., and C. W. Threinen, 1963. Surface water resources
of Waukesha County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison.
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9
VI. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
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TRIBUTARY FLOW INFORMATION FOP WISCONSIN
9/30/74
LAcE CODE 5563
LAC LA BELLE
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE 103.00
SUB— OP A IN AGE
TRIBUTARY AREA
NORMALIZED FLOWS
JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AU(,
SEP OCT NOV DEC MEAN
50.60 35.40 44.50 46.60 63.80 39.50 70.27
44.00 31.00 39.00 40.00 56.00 34.00 61.36
5.80 4.10 5.20 5.30 7.30 4.50 8.92
SUMMARY
OF LAKE = 103.00
AREAS = 103.00
TOTAL FLOW IN =
TOTAL FLOW OUT =
843.90
844.00
MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS AND DAILY FLOWS
TRIBUTARY MONTH YEAR
MEAN FLOW DAY
FLOW DAY
FLOW DAY FLOW
9 72 160.00
10 72 180.00
11 72 130.00
12 72 52.00
1 73 120.00
2 73 90.00
3 73 200.00
4 73 440.00
5 73 300.00
6 73 120.00
7 73 33.00
8 73 P2.00
9 72 140.00
10 72 160.00
11 72 120.00
12 72 46.00
1 73 100.00
2 73 73.00
3 73 170.00
4 73 400.00
5 73 270.00
6 73 110.00
7 73 29.00
8 73 20.00
9 72 22.00
10 72 25.00
II 72 18.00
1? 72 7.00
73 8.00
73 4.40
3 73 14.00
4 73 91.00
5 73 44.00
6 73 12.00
7 73 5.30
8 73 3.60
23 250.00
9 44.00
Il 90.00
18 270.00
14 290.00
26 240.00
16 110.00
1 49.00
26 23.00
23 220.00
9 38.00
II 73.00
lB 240.00
14 260.00
26 220.00
16 97.00
1 43.00
26 20.00
23 34.00
9 5.90
II 4.40
18 19.00
14 60.00
26 36.00
lb 12.00
1 7.80
26 3.70
5563b 1
91.00
35.00
39.00
100.00
140.00
82.00
97.00
55632Z
12.00
4.60
5.10
13.00
18.00
21.00
13.00
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA
SUM OF SUB—DRAINAGE
5563A1
5563B I
5563ZZ
29 290.00
28 380.00
29 250.00
28 340.00
29 42.00
28 56.00
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APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STOPET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
DATE
FROM
TO
00010
WATER
TEMP
CENT
00300 00077
DO TRANSP
SECCHI
P46/L INCHES
00094
CNf)UCTVY
FIELD
MICROMHO
556301
43 07 00.0 088 30 30.0
LAC LA BELLE
55 WISCONSIN
00630
NO2 NO3
N—TOTAL
P46/L
00610
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
DATE
FROM
TO
7?/06/23
7?/0S/19
72/1 1/09
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
13 45 0000
06 40 0000
15 10 0000
32217
CI-4LPPHYL
A
UG/L
9.6J
5 • 5J
l2.2J
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
11E ALES
2111202
5
0026
FEET DEPTH
72/06/23 13 45 0000
- 13 45 0024
72/08/19 06 40 0000
06 40 0004
06 40 0015
06 40 0020
- 06 40 0024
72/11/09 15 10 0000
15 10 0004
15 10 0015
15 10 0031
00400 00410
PH TALK
CACO3
SU MG/L
18.9
16.0
25.7
22.9
20.4
19.5
7.0
7.0
7.0
8.9
7.9
8.9
8.3
6.0
4.5
10.8
10.8
10.8
72 400
410
90 400
395
405
410
410
101 480
470
470
475
00665 00666
PHOS—TOT P 1 - 105—015
MG/L P M6/L P
8 • 50
8.30
8 • SO
8.50
8.15
8.00
8.00
8.20
8,20
8.20
8.20
174
176
170
170
172
174
176
193
192
192
193
0.0 70
0 .080
0.060
0.050
0.130
0.110
0.110
0.190
0.180
0.190
0.170
0.050
0.080
0.100
0.090
0.140
0.130
0.190
0.070
0.060
0.060
0.060
0.013
0.013
0.013
0.011
0.013
0.014
0.0 12
0.014
0.014
0.013
0.012
0.007
0.009
0.006
0.007
0.008
0.006
0.006
0.009
0 .007
0.006
0.006
J VALUE KNOWN TO E IN ERROR
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
556302
43 08 00.0 088 32 00.0
LAC LA BELLE
55 WISCONSIN
1IEPALES 2111202
5 0004 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNI)(JCTVY PH T ALK N02&N03 NH3-N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT 4G/L INCHES MICROMHO SU MG/L MG/L M6/L MG/L P MG/L P
7?/06/23 14 05 0000 19.0 8.4 60 405 8.40 177 0.060 0.050 0.015 0.009
72/08/19 07 15 0000 60 400 8.50 166 0.050 0.090 0.010 0.006
- 07 15 0004 25.8 8.5 400 8.50 165 0.060 0.100 0.011 0.006
72/11/09 14 45 0000 99 670 8.30 189 0.230 0.050 0.013 0.007
14 45 0004 6.8 11.3 470 8.30 190 0.230 0.050 0.016 0.007
14 45 0015 6.8 11.0 465 8.30 190 0.230 0.050 0.016 0.007
14 45 0026 6.8 11.0 470 8.30 191 0.230 0.040 0.014 0.008
32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/06/23 14 05 0000 6.6J
72/08/19 07 15 0000 4.3J
72/11/09 14 45 0000 9.4J
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY DATA
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ST’)?FT 2ETPIEVAt )ATE 74/10/0?
5S6341 LS5563 1
43 07 00.0 OBB 31 00.0
OCONO’IOwOC IVER
55 15 t ATE TOwN
O#’L&C LA BELLE
is 16 H D& ABOVE OCONOMOWOC STP
11€ ALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET DEPTM
00630 00 62 00610 001,71 0O6 S
F)ATE TIME DEPTH NO2F NO3 TOT KJEL N i3—N PHOS—PIS PHUS—TOT
FROM O N-TOTAL N TOTAL OPTHO
TO DAY FEET M ( /L M(/L M(/L MG/L P
7?/09/?3 15 30 0.130 1.600 0.102 0.005K 0.021
7?/11/0 12 45 0.147 0.600 0.0I 0.005K 0.016
7?/1?/09 11 30 0.?60 0.750 0.017 0.011 0.015
71/01/06 14 45 0.2P’) 0.960 0.046 0.005K 0.015
71/02/11 13 40 0.350 0.770 0.024 0.00 ’ 0.015
73/03/1 11 00 0.530 ). O0 0.061, 0.005K
71/04/1 14 10 0.330 0. ’0 0.013 0.005K
71/05/?6 14 ?0 0.270 0.B40 0.009 0.005K 0.O?0
71/05/?H 14 30 0.250 1.000 0.036 0.014 0.020
71/06/16 l4 .0 0.09 . 1.l’ ) 0.0 e- 0.00 K 0.020
71/07/01 Il 00 0.OMH 0. fl 0.039 0.005K O.O.?5
71/0 /26 13 30 0.011 0.560 3. O le 0.011 0.020
r< V’\LUc NOn j TC) R Lc S
T-LL N Iii)TC TEr)
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ST’) ET ?FTPJF ,AL r)arF 7 /1 /u?
L555 ,3R1
‘.1 Yf 00.0 0F P 30 00.0
i- iiLF’ LA OUTLET
1 ‘-lA ?TLANi)
liLAC LA -fELLE
sr i ’ 7 IN OCONUM0 OC
11E - AL 2S 2111?04
0000 FEET DEPTt-i
00630 006)C (,P57 1 006
)ATE TIME flFPT )‘ NO3 TflT ‘ J I N-I1—\’ iOS—flJS PhOS—TOT
OF N—TOTAL TOTAL UPT 1fl
TD OAY F EET 4 G/L /I i (/( N(/L ‘- fr i/L
77/0 /21 IS 0 0.06 1.1’-l ‘).00D
77/Il/OS 1100 () .Q3 4 0.640 r.u34 0.005P( 0.01 5
77/l?/0 14 20 °. 154 fl• 5 o.rls 0.O 0 f 0.010
73/O!/0’ 1400 0.?00 0.kIO 0.04k j.005K 0.015
71/0?/11 1400 0.740 ).024 0.007 0.010
71/O3/1 10 3G fl.?44 0. 5f0 0.02 5 0.00 K
71/114 11 10 0.2 52 0. 0 0.011 ( .005
7l/O’./? 1415 0.1 0 0.9 0 0. O OS’(
71/05/?#’ 14 50 0.1 !.1 0 0.075 0.0fl t< 0.015
73/0S/2 16 50 0.?40 0.P 0 0.030 0.007 0.0 0
71/06/16 14 30 0.0 5 1.000 0.03 0.005K
71/07/01 If) 13 0.01 7.100 0.041 3.00 K 0.01
71/Od/26 1’. 30 0.0 10K . M0 0.) 16 0.fl0 0.111-)
K V .L(1- r jfl4• I T’) r L S
T-i 1DIC’Tfl
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