U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY WORKING PAPER SERIES REPORT ON BEAVER DAM LAKE (SOUTH BASIN) BARRON COUNTY WISCONSIN EPA REGION V WORKING PAPER No, 69 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 BEAVER DAM LAKE (SOUTH BASIN) BAIWN COMFY WISCONSIN EPA REGION V WORKING PAPER No, 69 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 vi Sections I. Introduction 1 II. Conclusions 1 III. Lake Characteristics 3 IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 4 V. Literature Reviewed 8 VI. Appendix 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 [ 5303(e)], water quality criteria/standards review [ 5303(c)], clean lakes [ 5314(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 Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Tributaries and nutrient sources 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 foriiiulation 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. Lisori, 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 Wausau Marathon Willow Oneida Winnebago Winnebago, Fond Du Lac, Calumet Wisconsin Columbia Wissota Chippewa Yellow Burnett ------- Map Location BEAVER DAM (Barron Co.) Lake Sampling Site AKE Urban Area ------- BEAVER DAM LAKE (SOUTH BASIN) STORET NO. 5503 I. INTRODUCTION The South Basin of Beaver Dam Lake was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as a water body of interest to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Tributaries and nutrient sources were not sampled, and this report only relates to the lake sampling data. The wastewater treatment plant serving the City of Cumberland discharges to the South Basin, and the Stokely-Van Camp cannery dis- charges chlorinated cooling water there also (McKersie, et al., 1971). At this time, the City of Cumberland is considering alternate methods of effluent treatment or disposal; the Stokely-Van Camp waste treatment facilities are considered to be satisfactory (Schraufnagel, 1975). II. CONCLUSIONS A. Trophic Condition: Survey data indicate the South Basin of Beaver Dam Lake is eutrophic. Of the 46 Wisconsin lakes sampled, 43 had less mean total phosphorus, 42 had less mean dissolved phosphorus, ten had less mean inorganic nitrogen, only two had less mean chloro- phyll a, and 44 had greater mean Secchi disc transparency. ------- 2 B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient: The algal assay results indicate the South Basin was nitrogen limited at the time the sample was taken (11/03/72). The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation at the other sampling times as well. ------- 3 III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS A. Lake Morphometry (entire lake)*: 1. Surface area: 1,112 acres. 2. Mean depth: 32.1 feet. 3. Maximum depth: 106 feet. 4. Volume: 35,700 acre-feet. B. Precipitation**: 1. Year of sampling: 33.4 inches. 2. Mean annual: 30.1 inches. * Ball, 1973. ** See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods, 1972”. ------- 4 IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY The South Basin of Beaver Dam 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 a number of 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 taken for chlorophyll a analy- sis. During the last visit, a single five—gallon depth—integrated sample was collected for algal assays. The maximum depth sampled was 7 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 the various parameters at the other sampling times, refer to Appendix A. ------- 5 A. Physical and chemical characteristics: FALL VALUES (11/03/72) Parameter Surface Sample Only Temperature (Cent.) 4.2 Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 13.8 Conductivity (i imhos) 170 pH (units) 9.2 Alkalinity (mg/i) 49 Total P (mg/i) 0.900 Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.680 N02 + NO 3 (mg/i) 0.520 Ammonia (mg/i) 0.120 ALL VALUES Minimum Mean Median Maximum Secchi disc (inches) 22 35 36 48 ------- 6 B. Biological characteristics: 1. Phytoplankton - Sampling Dominant Number Date Genera per ml 06/26/72 1. Melosira 2,892 2. Microcystis 1,988 3. Fragilaria 1,295 4. Scenedesmus 452 5. Anabaena 210 Other genera 1,325 Total 8,162 08/26/72 1. Scenedesmus 10,688 2. Anabaena 6,377 3. Gloeocapsa 652 4. Cryptomonas 471 Other genera 1,087 Total 19,275 11/03/72 1. Cyclotella 6,244 2. Franceia 4,072 3. Scenedesmus 1,629 4. Synedra 1,584 5. Microcystis 1,222 Other genera 4 616 Total 19,367 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 15.0 08/26/72 01 42.0 11/03/72 01 152.9 ------- 7 Maximum yield ( mg/i-dry wt. ) 23.3 22.5 22.9 24.8 23.6 44.8 40.9 C. Limiting Nutrient Study: 1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked - Ortho P Inorganic N Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i ) ______________ Control 0.770 0.650 0.006 P 0.776 0.650 0.012 P 0.782 0.650 0.024 P 0.794 0.650 0.060 p 0.830 0.650 0.060 p + 10.0 N 0.830 10.650 10.0 N 0.770 10.650 2. Discussion — The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri- cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity of South Basin of Beaver Dam Lake was very high at the time the sample was collected (11/03/72). Also, the lack of yield response to increased levels of orthophosphorus and the marked increase in yield when only nitrogen was added show the lake was nitrogen limited at that time. The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation at the other sampling times as well; the N/P ratio in June was 6/1 and in August was less than 1/1, and nitrogen limitation would be expected. ------- 8 V. LITERATURE REVIEWED Ball, Joseph R., 1973. Personal communication (lake morphometry). WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison. McKersie, Jerome R., Robert M. Krill, Charles Kozel, and Danny J. Ryan; 1971. Lower Chippewa River pollution investigation survey. WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison. Sather, LaVerne M., and C. W. Threinen, 1964. Surface water resources of Barron County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison. Schraufnagel, Francis H., 1975. Personal communication (status of waste treatment facilities). WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison. ------- 9 VI. Appendix APPENDIX A PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA ------- STOPET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/11/01 DATF F Q OM TO TIME OE°TH OF i)AY FEET 3?? I C-fLP HYL A IJC ./L 553331 45 11 4 13.0 092 01 00.0 hEA F DAl LAIcE 55 W1SCOr 1SfhJ I IEPALES 3 7?/0 /7 ’ 7?/0’ / 2 ) 7?/1 1/03 06 05 0000 11 40 0000 14 10 0000 J c • ,- j 152 • 2111202 0007 FEET )E?TH 0u010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00’+10 00630 00610 00665 00666 DATE uHF OFPTr-I WATFP DO TRA.NSP CNDUCTVY Pri r ALK NO? NO3 NH3—N P - 0S—TOT PHOS—OIS FROM OF TEMP SECCI- I FIFLI) CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL TO DAY FEET CE’ aT M&/L INCHES MICROMMO $ IJ MG/L MG/L M(/L MG/L P M’ /L P 7?/0A/2(-. 06 05 0000 19.M 40 140 8.10 60 •0.050 0.060 0.079 0.023 06 05 0007 I9. ? 7.5 150 7.90 58 0.060 0.120 0.070 0.034 72/00/?5 11 40 0000 ?? 135 .9o 54 0.050 0.090 0.381 0.165 11 40 0004 1I .7 8.6 130 8.9 c 0.050 0.080 0.443 0.?19 72/11/03 14 10 0000 4 2 11.8 3 ’ 170 9.?e 49 0.520 0.120 0.900 0.650 3 VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR ------- |