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
•foOPO 697.O32
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REPORT
ON
YELLOW LAKE
BURNETT OMIT
WIXONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No,
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 Characteristics 3
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 4
V. Literature Reviewed 9
VI. Appendix 10
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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 [ 3O3(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.
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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 D. 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,
Calumet
Wisconsin Columbia
Wissota Chippewa
Yellow Burnett
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9224
YELLOW
Yellow Lake
LAKE
Map Location
YELLOW LAKE
X LaL Sampling Site
Urban r2a
1/2 1Mj
Scale
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YELLOW LAKE
STORET NO. 5576
I. INTRODUCTION
Yellow Lake 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 no wastewater treatment plants impact
the lake (Schraufnagel, 1975). Therefore, this report only relates to
the lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data indicate Yellow Lake is eutrophic. Of the 46
Wisconsin lakes sampled, 22 had less mean total phosphorus, 20
had less mean dissolved phosphorus, 13 had less mean inorganic
nitrogen, 25 had less mean chlorophyll a, ‘and 18 had greater
mean Secchi disc transparency. Dissolved oxyger was depressed
with depth (to 20 feet) at sampling station 1 in August, 1972.
Survey limnologists observed algal blooms in June and August;
and Yellow Lake has been chemically treated a number of times to
control aquatic weeds and at least once to control algae (Lueschow,
1972).
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2
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results show that Yellow Lake was nitrogen
limited at the time the sample was taken (11/03/72). The lake
data indicate nitrogen limitation in June and August as well.
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3
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS
A. Morphometry t :
1. Surface area: 2,287 acres.
2. Mean depth: 18.9 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 32 feet.
4. Volume: 43,236 acre-feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 154 days*.
B. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 33.4 inches.
2. Mean annual: 28.1 inches.
t Ball, 1973.
* Based on normal outflow of 142 cfs estimated by Blackman and Sather
(1966).
** See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods, 1972”.
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4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Yellow 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 usually from two 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 sta-
tions 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 24 feet at station 1 and 21 feet at station 2.
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 the various parameters at the other sampling
times, refer to Appendix A.
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5
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(11/03/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Minimum
Temperature (Cent.) 5.2 5.2 5.2 5.3
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 9.7 9.9 9.9 10.0
Conductivity ( imhos) 160 170 173 175
pH (units) 7.3 7.4 7.4 7.5
Alkalinity (mg/i) 72 73 73 74
Total P (mg/i) 0.035 0.071 0.050 0.162
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.020 0.026 0.021 0.049
N02 + NO 1 (mg/i) 0.060 0.065 0.060 0.080
Ammonia mg/l) 0.040 0.052 0.050 0.060
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 36 59 59 78
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6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/26/72 1. Microcystis 1,628
2. Dinobryon 868
3. Chroococcus 597
4. Melosira 506
5. Flagellates 326
Other genera 777
Total 4,702
08/27/ 72 1. Anabaena 1 ,356
2. Melosira 244
3. Fragilaria 108
4. Flagellates 99
5. Mallomonas 45
Other genera 354
Total 2,206
11/03/72 1. Dinobryon 2,412
2. Flagellates 1,131
3. Cryptomonas 327
4. Fragilaria 251
5. Cynbella 226
Other genera 1 ,532
Total 5,879
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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 )
06/26/72 01 11.9
02 10.1
08/27/72
11/03/72
Maximum yield
___________ ________ ________ ( mg/l-dry wt. )
3.3
3.1
3.2
3.1
3.2
46.6
16.0
3.9
4.5
35.1
16.6
01
02
01
02
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mq/1) Conc. (mg/i )
Control 0.035 0.119
0.006 P 0.041 0.119
0.012 P 0.047 0.119
0.024 P 0.059 0.119
0.060 P 0.095 0.119
0.060 P + 10.0 N 0.095 10.119
10.0 N 0.035 10.119
2. Discussion -
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the primary productivity of Yellow
Lake was moderately high at the time the sample was taken
(11/03/72). There were no significant increases in yields
with increases in phosphorus until nitrogen was also added.
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8
The marked increase shown when nitrogen alone was added
and when added with phosphorus indicates that Yellow Lake
was nitrogen limited at that time.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation at the other
sampling times as well; the N/P ratios were 9/1 in June and
8/1 in August, and nitrogen limitation would be expected.
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9
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Ball, Joseph R., 1973. Personal communication (lake morphometry).
WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Blackman, Robbin R., and LaVerne M. Sather, 1966. Surface water
resources of Burnett County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison.
Lueschow, Lloyd A., 1972. Biology and control of aquatic nuisances
in recreational waters. Tech. Bull. No. 57, WI Dept. Nat.
Resources, Madison.
McKersje, Jerome R., Robert M. Krill, Charles Kozel, Thomas E.
DeWitt, and Danny J. Rjan; 1972. St. Croix River pollution
investigation survey. WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Schraufnagel, Francis H., 1975. Personal communication (Village
of Webster STP). WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
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10
VI. APPENDIX
Appendix A
Physical and chemical data
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
557601
45 55 30.0 092 25 00.0
YELLOW LAKE
55 WISCONSIN
1IEPALES 2111202
5 0006 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNDUCTVY PH 1 ALK N02&N03 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROP4HO SU MG/L MG/L. MG/L MG/L P MG/L P
72106/26 08 55 0000 20.9 10.3 66 140 8.40 82 0.050 0.060 0.017 0.013
72/08/27 11 00 0000 54 173 7.70 84 0.060 0.200 0.057 0.034
11 00 0004 20.0 6.3 180 7.60 80 0.060 0.210 0.065 0.041
11 00 0015 19.8 5.4 182 7.50 81 0.060 0.290 0.078 0.043
11 00 0020 19.7 3.1 180 7.25 77 0.080 0.520 0.177 0.033
72111/03 08 45 0000 58 175 7.50 74 0.070 0.060 0.035 0.020
08 45 0004 5.2 175 7.50 73 0.060 0.050 0.043 0.021
08 45 0015 5.3 9.7 175 7.40 73 0.060 0.050 0.048 0.020
08 45 0024 5.2 10.0 170 7.40 72 0.060 0.060 0.052 0.021
32217
DATE TINE DEPTH CI-ILRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/06/26 08 55 0000 1 1.9J
72/08/27 11 00 0000 3.9J
7?/1I/03 08 45 0000 35. IJ
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
557602
45 55 00.0 092 23 30.0
YELLOW LAKE
55 WISCONSIN
1 IEPALES
S
2111202
0018 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/06/26
72/08/27
72/11/03
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
09 20 0000
11 15 0000
09 05 0000
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
10.1J
4.sJ
16.6J
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
DO
TRANSP
CNDUCTVY
PH
1
ALK
N02&N03
NH3—N
PHOS—TOT
P’IOS—DIS
FROM
OF
TEMP
SECCHI
FIELD
CACO3
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
DAY
FEET
CENT
MG/L
I 4CHES
MICRONHO
SU
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L P
MG/L P
72/06/26
09 20 0000
20.1
78
190
8.50
84
0.060
0.080
0.020
0.015
09 20 0017
19.0
8.2
195
8.10
82
0.050
0.070
0.016
0.011
72/08/27
11 15 0000
3.
180
8.05
81
0.070
0.230
0.093
0.044
1) 15 0004
20.0
.1
175
8.00
82
0.060
0.220
0.086
0.052
11 15 0015
19.7
6.6
170
7.60
82
0.070
0.270
0.073
0.045
11 15 0021
19.5
8.8
175
7.60
81
0.060
0.250
0.098
0.039
72/11/03
09 05 0000
59
165
7.30
72
0.060
0.040
0.162
0.049
09 05 0004
5.2
9.9
160
7.30
72
0.080
0.050
0.086
0.025
3 VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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