U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
TROUT LJ\KE
VILAS COUNTY
WIXONSIN
REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 71
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
TROUT LAKE
VILAS OMY
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 71
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 2
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 3
V. Literature Reviewed 8
VI. Appendix
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11
F 0 R E W 0 R D
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)J,
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.
AC KNO WL EDGMENT
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 Shawario
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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Map Location
#c:: ± -.
.
- -
X02 LAKE
TROUT LAKE
Lake Samplinq Site
Urban Area
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TROUT LAKE
STORET NO. 5572
I. INTRODUCTION
Trout 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. Therefore, this report only relates to lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data and a report by others (Lueschow, et al., 1970)
indicate Trout Lake is rnesotrophic. Of the 46 Wisconsin lakes
sampled, one had less and one the same mean total phosphorus, one
had less and two the same mean dissolved phosphorus, two had less
mean inorganic nitrogen, two had less mean chlorophyll a, and two
had greater Secchi disc transparency. Dissolved oxygen was depressed
at depth at both sampling stations in August, 1972.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results indicate Trout Lake was co-limited by
phosphorus and nitrogen at the time the sample was taken (11/04/72).
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in June but phosphorus
limitation in August.
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2
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake t4orphometry*:
1. Surface area: 3,870 acres.
2. Mean depth: 37.8 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 115 feet.
4. Volume: 146,152 acre-feet.
C. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 43.3 inches.
2. Mean annual: 31.3 inches.
* Ball, 1973.
** See Working Paper No. 1 , “Survey Methods, 1972”.
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3
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Trout 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 from a number of depths at each station (see
map, page vi). During each visit, a single depth-integrated (15 feet
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 74 feet at station 1 and 40 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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4
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(11/04/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 5.1 5.5 5.7 5.9
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 10.0 10.7 10.6 11.0
Conductivity ( unhos) 100 105 102 122
pH (units) 7.1 7.2 7.2 7.2
Alkalinity (mg/i) 28 33 33 39
Total P (mg/l) 0.008 0.009 0.009 0.011
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.004 0.006 0.005 0.009
N02 + N0 (mg/i) 0.030 0.034 0.030 0.040
Ammonia mg/l) 0.030 0.044 0.040 0.060
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 120 162 162 216
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5
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton —
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/25/72 1. Dinobryon 1,215
2. Microcystis 166
3. Fragilaria 159
4. Anabaena 94
5. Oocystis 72
Other genera 246
Total 1,952
08/23/72 1. Dinobryon 2,550
2. Microcystis 669
3. Anabaena 416
4. Chroococcus 253
5. Schroederia 181
Other genera 217
Total 4,286
11/04/72 1. Stichococcus 1,508
2. Flagellates 1,357
3. Microcystis 754
4. Dinobryon 578
5. Cyclotella 578
Other genera 2,587
Total 7,362
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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/l )
06/25/72 01 2.5
02 2.9
08/23/72
11/04/72
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i) Conc. (mg/i ) _____________
Control 0.008 0.054
0.005 p 0.013 0.054
0.010 P 0.018 0.054
0.020 P 0.028 0.054
0.050 P 0.058 0.054
0.050 p + 1.0 N 0.058 1.054
1.0 N 0.008 1.054
2. Discussion —
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Trout Lake was moderate at the time of sample collection
(11/04/72). Also, the results suggest that the lake was
co—limited by nitrogen and phosphorus. The combined nitrogen
and phosphorus spike resulted in the maximum yield, but no
01
02
01
02
1.5
1.9
3.6
3.7
Maximum yield
( mg/i-dry wt.
0.7
1.0
0.9
1.2
0.9
26.8
0.7
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7
significant growth response resulted when only nitrogen or
phosphorus were added. The lake data also indicate co-
limitation; the mean N/P ratio in November was 13/1.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in June (N/P
3/1) but phosphorus limitation in August (N/P = 17/1).
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8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Ball, Joseph R., 1973. Personal communication (lake morphometry).
WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Black, John J., Lloyd M. Andrews, and C. W. Threinen, 1963. Surface
water resources of Vilas County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison.
Lueschow, Lloyd A., James M. Helm, Donald R. Winter, and Gary W. Karl;
1970. Trophic nature of selected Wisconsin lakes. Trans. Wisc.
Acad. Sci., Arts & Ltrs., vol. 58, pp. 237—264.
McKersie, Jerome R., Robert M. Krill, Charles Kozel, and Danny J. Ryan;
1970. Upper Chippewa River pollution investigation survey. WI
Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
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9
APPENDIX A
PHYSICAL arid CHEMICAL DATA
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SIORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
557201
46 03 56.0 089 39 48.0
TROUT LAKE
55 WISCONSIN
1 IEPALES 2111202
3 0080 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNDUCTVY PH T ALK NO2 .NO3 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMHO SU HG/I MG/I HG/I MG/L P MG/I P
72/06/25 15 20 0000 16.1 10.0 216 90 7.90 42 0.030 0.010K 0.005 0.007
IS 20 0015 15.8 10.3 40 0.030 0.020 0.006 0.007
- 15 20 0072 5.0 8.9 90 8.00 40 0.070 0.030 0.012 0.006
72/08/23 13 00 0000 192 90 7.95 41 0.030 0.060 0.007 0.005
13 00 0004 20.7 8.7 89 7.90 41 0.030 0.060 0.007 0.005
13 00 0015 20.4 8.7 90 8.05 42 0.040 0.050 0.007 0.003
13 00 0020 20.2 9.0 89 7.80 39 0.030 0.050 0.008 0.005
13 00 0028 17.2 9.2 89 7.80 39 0.040 0.080 0.007 0.003
13 00 0036 9.7 9.3 90 7.10 39 0.040 0.060 0.006 0.004
13 00 0046 6.7 8.1 90 6.90 37 0.030 0.050 0.009 0.005
13 00 0056 6.0 5.9 89 6.70 39 0.030 0.060 0.010 0.004
13 00 0066 5.4 5.9 90 6.60 37 0.080 0.050 0.010 0.006
13 00 0074 5.6 93 6.60 34 0.140 0.080 0.042 0.006
72/11/04 13 20 0000 5.8 10.6 120 102 7.10 33 0.030 0.040 0.008 0.004
13 20 0004 34 0.040 0.040 0.011 0.006
13 20 0015 5.7 10.6 100 7.20 35 0.040 0.050 0.009 0.005
13 20 0022 5.8 10.6 100 7.20 35 0.030 0.040 0.009 0.005
13 20 0030 5.8 10.6 100 7.20 36 0.030 0.040 0.008 0.005
13 20 0040 5.8 10.6 118 7.20 37 0.040 0.050 0.009 0.009
13 20 0045 5.9 10.0 100 7.20 39 0.040 0.060 0.009 0.006
32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYI
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
77/06/25 15 20 0000 2.SJ
72/08/23 Ii 00 0000 1. SJ
72/11/04 13 20 0000 3.6J
K VOLUr “lOW ’J TO . L S
T’1A 4 I JflIC4’Tt )
J V LUc KNfl4 J 10 3h !
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74109/30
557202
46 02 00.0 089 41 48.0
TROUT LAKE
55 WISCONSIN
1 1EPALES
3
2111202
0035 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/06/25
72/08/23
7?/ 11/04
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
16 00 0000
12 25 0000
14 20 0000
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
2.9J
1 .9J
3.7J
17.0
16.1
13.3
10.6
10.6
10.5
180
20.3
20.3
20.2
18.1
12.0
144
8.6
8.6
7.1
7.2
4.0
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
DO
TRANSP
CNDUCTVY
PH
T ALK
N02&N03
NH3-N
P1105—TOT
PHOS—DIS
FROM
OF
TEMP
SECCHI
FIELD
CACO3
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
DAY
FEET
CENT
MG/I..
INCHES
ICROMHO
SU
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L P
PIG/L P
72/06/25
16 00 0000
90
8.10
42
0.040
0.040
0.006
0.004
16 00 0015
90
8.00
41
0.030
0.030
0.009
0.009
16 00 0030
90
7.70
40
0.040
0.030
0.110
0.070
72/08/23
12 25 0000
93
7.50
36
0.040
0.060
0.011
0.005
12 25 0004
89
7.80
36
0.040
0.060
0.011
0.005
12 25 0015
90
7.90
36
0.040
0.050
0.008
0.005
12 25 0022
93
7.10
38
0.040
0.050
0.009
0.007
12 25 0030
94
7.15
38
0.030
0.050
0.010
0.005
12 25 0038
95
6.55
38
0.040
0.050
0.012
0.009
72/11/04
14 20 0000
108
7.20
28
0.030
0.040
0.008
0.005
14 20 0004
5.1
11.0
122
7.20
29
0.030
0.040
0.008
0.005
14 20 0015
5.1
11.0
105
7.20
31
0.030
0.040
0.009
0.009
34 20 0022
5.1
13.0
105
7.20
31
0.030
0.040
0.009
0.005
14 20 0030
5.1
11.0
102
7.20
33
0.030
0.030
0.009
0.004
14 20 0040
5.1
10.8
100
7.20
33
0.040
0.060
0.008
0.005
120
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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