U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
BROWNS LAKE
RACINE COUNTY
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 67
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
-------
REPORT
ON
BROWNS LAKE
RACINE Wm
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 67
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD
JUNE, 1975
-------
1
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Wisconsin Study Lakes iv, v
Lake and Drainage Area Map v i
Sections
I. Introduction i
II. Conclusions 1
III. Lake Characteristics 2
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 3
V. Literature Reviewed 8
VI. Appendix 9
-------
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
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 [ g303(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 3O3(c)], clean lakes [ 3l4(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. Tributaries were not 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
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
-------
V
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Swan - Columbia
Tainter Dunn
Tichigan Racine
Townline Oneida
Trout Vilas
Wapogassett Polk
t -Iausau Marathon
Willow Oneida
Winnebago Winnebago, Fond Du Lac,
Calumet
Wisconsin Columbia
Wissota Chippewa
Yellow Burnett
-------
Fischer
Par
Map Location
vi
4.
Camp
Mac lean
BROWNS LAKE
X Lake Sampling Site
Urban Area
-------
BROWNS LAKE
STORET NO. 5560
I. INTRODUCTION
Browns Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as
a water body of interest to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
No tributaries were sampled, and no wastewater treatment plants impact
the lake (McKersie, et al., 1972). Therefore, this report only relates
to lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data indicate Browns Lake is eutrophic. Of the 46
Wisconsin lakes sampled, nine had less and one the same mean
total phosphorus, 11 had less and one the same mean dissolved
phosphorus, 12 had less mean inorganic nitrogen, 12 had less
mean chlorophyll a, and 12 had greater mean Secchi disc trans-
parency. Some depression of dissolved oxygen occurred at nine
feet in August, 1972.
Weeds are reported to be a major use-problem (Poff and
Threinen, 1961), and the lake has been treated chemically to
control aquatic plants (Lueschow, 1972).
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
The results of the algal assay show that Browns Lake was
phosphorus limited at the time the sample was taken (11/10/72).
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in June and August.
-------
2
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS
A. Morpholnetry*:
1. Surface area: 396 acres.
2. Mean depth: 7.9 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 44 feet.
4. Volume: 3,135 acre-feet.
B. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 38.7 inches.
2. Mean annual: 31.5 inches.
* Ball, 1973.
** See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods, 1972”.
-------
3
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Browns 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 more 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 9 feet.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix A, 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 thevarious parameters at the other sampling
times, refer to Appendix A.
-------
4
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(11/10/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 8.8 9.1 9.1 9.5
Conductivity ( imhos) 480 490 490 500
pH (units) 7.9 7.9 7.9 7.9
Alkalinity (mg/i) 153 154 154 154
Total P (mg/i) 0.019 0.021 0.022 0.022
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.012 0.013 0.012 0.014
NO 2 + NO 3 (mg/i) 0.130 0.137 0.140 0.140
Ammonia (mg/i) 0.200 0.207 0.210 0.210
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 10 79 84 144
-------
5
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/21/72 1. Chlamydonionas 5,063
2. Schroederia 253
3. Dinobryon 211
4. Chroococcus 175
5. Cryptomonas 151
Other genera 54
Total 5,907
08/16/72 1. Aphanocapsa 642
2. Cocconeis 344
3. Dinobryon 289
4. Navicula 271
5. Nitzschia 244
Other genera 8S9
Total 2,649
11/10/72 1. Dinobryon 609
2. Flagellates 464
3. Melosira 398
4. Achnanthes 24
5. Anabaena 6
Other genera 30
Total 1,531
-------
6
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 12.0
08/16/72 01 5.1
11/10/72 01 2.1
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autociaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N Maximum yield
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i) ( mg/i-dry wt. )
Control 0.005 0.778 0.8
0.006 P 0.011 0.778 2.9
0.012 P 0.017 0.778 4.7
0.024 P 0.029 0.778 7.2
0.060 P 0.065 0.778 7.4
0.060 P + 10.0 N 0.065 10.778 23.1
10.0 N 0.005 10.778 0.4
2. Discussion -
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Browns Lake was moderate at the time the sample was taken
(11/10/72). Also the increased yields with increased levels
of orthophosphorus indicate the lake was phosphorus limited
at that time (note the lack of yield response when only
nitrogen was added).
-------
7
The lake data confirm phosphorus limitation in November
(N/P ratio = 26/1) but indicate nitrogen limitation in June
(N/P = 4/1) and August (N/P = 10/1).
-------
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. 57, WI Dept. Nat. Resources,
Madison.
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 M. 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 Racine County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison.
-------
9
VI. Appendix
APPENDIX A
Physical and Chemical Data
-------
STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
DATE
FROM
TO
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
32217
C ML RPH V L
A
UG/L
556001
42 41 00.0 088 14 30.0
BROWNS LAKE
55 9ISCONSIN
I 1EPALES
5
7?/O6/2 I
72/08/16
72/1 1/10
17 00 0000
OR 40 0000
1? ?5 0000
12.OJ
5. IJ
2. 1J
2111202
0010 FEET DEPTH
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
DO
TRANSP
CNOUCTVY
PH
1
ALK
NO?F,N03
NH3—N
PHOS-TOT
PHOS-DIS
FROM
OF
TEMP
SECCH!
FIELD
CACO3
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
DAY
FEET
CENT
HG/L
INCHES
MICROMHO
SU
HG/L
MG/I
HG/I
HG/L P
HG/L P
7?/06/21
17 00 0000
17.9
9.6
10
345
9.40
119
0.040
0.040
0.022
0.018
72/08/16
OR 40 0000
?3.5
84
418
8.70
131
0.080
0.100
0.021
0.015
08 40 0004
23.2
8.4
405
8.85
122
0.060
0.060
0.020
0.011
08 40 0009
22.1
6.6
405
8.85
122
0.070
0.060
0.022
0.020
72/ 11/10
12 25 0000
144
500
7.90
154
0.140
0.210
0.022
0.012
12 25 0004
7.0
8.8
490
7.90
153
0.140
0.200
0.022
0.014
12 25 0008
7.0
9.5
480
7.90
154
0.130
0.210
0.019
0.012
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
------- |