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
------- |