U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
PEWAUKEE LAKE
WAUKESHA COUNTY
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 73
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
PEWAUKEELAKE
WAUKESHA COUNTY
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 73
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD
JULY, 1975
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I
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 and Drainage Basin Characteristics 3
IV. Lake Water Quality Summary 4
V. Literature Reviewed 8
VI. Appendices 9
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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 [ g303(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 3O3(c)], clean lakes [ 314(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 and nutrient sources
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 Wis-
consin National Guard for conduct of 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
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V
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Sinnissippi Dodge
Swan Columbia
Tainter Dunn
Tichigan Racine
Townline Oneida
Trout Vilas
Wapogassett Polk
Wausau Marathon
Willow Oneida
Winnebago Winnebago, Fond Du Lac,
Calurnet
Wisconsin Columbia
Wissota Chippewa
Yellow Burnett
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Flap Location
PEWAUKEE LAKE
X Lake Sampling
Urban Area
1/2
-1
4303’
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- PEWAUKEE LAKE
STORET NO. 5557
I. INTRODUCTION
Pewaukee 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 relates
only to the lake sampling data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data, field observations, and reports of others (Ketelle
and Uttorniark, 1971; Poff and Threinen, 1963; Poff et al., 1970)
indicate Pewaukee Lake is eutrophic.
Of the 46 Wisconsin lakes studied, 13 had less mean total
phosphorus, 15 had less mean dissolved phosphorus, 17 had less
mean inorganic nitrogen, 27 had less mean chlorophyll a, and 16
had greater mean Secchi disc transparency. Dissolved oxygen was
depleted in the hypolimnion in August, 1972.
Survey limnologists reported heavy growths of submerged aquatic
vegetation in the shallow areas of the lake and noted light algal
blooms in June and November. The lake has a history of efforts to
chemically control algae and weeds (Lueschow, 1972; Lueschow et al.,
1970).
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2
In their comprehensive report, Poff et al. (1970) noted that
unsewered subdivisions bordering Pewaukee Lake were contributing
to the deteriorating water quality because of permeable soils and
septic tank disposal systems (dwellings on the lake shore totaled
609 units in 1970). At this time, a sanitary district has been
formed at the lake, and as soon as Federal funds are available,
an interceptor will be constructed to serve lake-shore housing as
well as the Village of Pewaukee; wastes will be conveyed to an
expanded Brookfield tertiary wastewater treatment plant (Schrauf-
nagel, 1975).
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
Possibly because of sample contamination, there was a 121%
gain in inorganic nitrogen in the algae assay sample between the
time of collection and the beginning of the assay. This nitrogen
gain shifted the limiting nutrient from nitrogen in the lake to
phosphorus in the sample, and the assay results are not representa-
tive of conditions in the lake when the sample was collected.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in June (N/P = 7/1)
and November (N/P = 5/1) but phosphorus limitation in September
(N/P = 18/1).
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3
III. LAKE CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometry*:
1. Surface area: 2,493 acres.
2. Mean depth: 14.8 feet (based on area and volume).
3. Maximum depth: 45 feet.
4. Volume: 36,863 acre—feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 4.2 years.
B. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 38.7 inches.
2. Mean annual: 30.7 inches.
* Poff et al., 1970.
** See Working Paper No. 1, °Survey Methods, 1972”.
U S Erivironmeritij Pro c hon Aq nc
Corv8IIls Environmentai Hesearch Ldh
200 S W 35th Street
Corvallis, Oregon 97330
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4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Pewaukee 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 a number of depths at each sta-
tion (see map, page vi). During each visit, a single depth-integrated
(15 feet or near bottom 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 corn-
posited 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 4 feet at station 1 and 36 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
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 7.2 7.4 7.5 7.5
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 7.6 10.2 10.7 11.0
Conductivity (i.inihos) 460 470 470 480
pH (units) 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.5
Alkalinity (mg/i) 167 172 169 191
Total P (mg/i) 0.017 0.026 0.028 0.031
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.011 0.015 0.016 0.017
NO + NO (mg/i) 0.030 0.040 0.030 0.080
Ain onia mg/l) 0.030 0.038 0.030 0.070
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 36 68 72 84
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6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/21/72 1. Chroococcus 1,566
2. Merismopedia 1,024
3. Marssoniella 994
4. Dinobryon 783
5. Cryptomonas 346
Other genera 1,055
Total 5,768
08/19/72 1. Dinobryon 470
2. Chroococcus 297
3. Anabaena 282
4. Microcystis 224
5. Synura 159
Other genera 428
Total 1 ,860
11/10/72 1. Anabaena 1,306
2. Dinobryon 834
3. Flagellates 779
4. Melosira 452
5. Scenedesmus 352
Other genera 2,257
Total 5,980
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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 )
06/21/72 01 23.7
02 9.0
08/19/72 01 7.7
02 7.0
11/10/72 01 10.4
02 36.1
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8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Ketelle, Martha J., and Paul D. Uttormark, 1971. Problem lakes in
the United States. EPA Water Poll. Contr. Res. Ser., Proj.
16010 EHR.
Lueschow, Lloyd A., 1972. Biology and control of selected aquatic
nuisances In recreational waters. Tech. Bull. No. 57, WI Dept.
Nat. Resources, Madison.
____________ 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.
McElwie, William D., 1972. Personal communication (excerpts from
“A comprehensive plan for the Fox River watershed”). SE Wisc.
Reg. Planning Comm., Waukesha.
McKersje, 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, 1963. Surface water resources
of Waukesha County. WI Cons. Dept., Madison.
Poff, Ronald, C. W. Threinen, Donald Mraz, Ronald Piening, Brian
Belonger, Wilbur Byam, Warren Churchill, and D. John O’Donnell;
1970. Pewaukee Lake, an inventory with planning recomendations.
Lake Use Rept. No. FX-2, WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Schraufnagel, Francis H., 1975. Personal communication (status of
Treatment facilities in Pewaukee Lake area). WI Dept. Nat.
Resources, Madison.
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9
APPENDIX A
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
555701
43 04 48.0 088 16 06.0
PEWAUXEE LAXE
55 WISCONSIN
1 IEPALES 2111202
3 0006 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00 0Q4 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER Do TRANSP CNDUCTVY PH T ALX N02&N03 NH3—N Pl4OS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM OF TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMMO SU HG/L MG/L HG/I. MG/I. P MG/I. P
72/06/21 05 44 0000 16.8 5.8 60 340 9.50 120 0.020 0.020 0.055 0.030
72/08/19 11 25 0000 72 360 9.55 127 0.050 0.040 0.024 0.015
- 11 25 0004 25.9 7.7 365 9.45 125 0.080 0.080 0.031 0.021
72/11/10 14 10 0000 7.2 10.9 36 460 8.50 191 0.080 0.070 0.017 0.011
32217
DATE TiME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/06/21 05 44 0000 23.TJ
72/08/19 11 25 0000 6.7J
72/11/10 14 10 0000 10.4J
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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STOPET RETRIFVAL DATE 74/09/30
555702
43 04 06.0 088 18 48.0
PEWAUXEE LAKE
55 WISCONSIN
1 IEPALES
3
2111202
0040 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
TO
72/06/21
77/OR/19
77/11/10
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
06 07 0000
11 40 0000
14 25 0000
32217
C HL PP H Y L
A
UG/L
9.OJ
7 .OJ
36. IJ
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
00
TWAWSP
CNDUCTVY
PH
T
ALK
N02 .NO3
NH3-N
PHOS-TOT
PHOS-DIS
FROM
OF
TEMP
SECCHI
FIELD
CACO3
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
DAY
FEET
CENT
‘IG/L
INCHES
MICROMHO
SU
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L
MG/L P
MG/L P
72/06/21
06 07 0000
16.1
8.8
84
400
8.60
160
0.040
0.050
0.025
0.0 12
06 07 0015
20.2
8.0
420
8.10
157
0.050
0.060
0.031
0.028
06 07 0025
16.0
5.4
420
8.10
165
0.050
0.190
0.025
0.0 12
06 07 0035
9.1
0.4
440
7.60
180
0.030
0.810
0.133
0.119
72/08/19
11 40 0000
71
420
8.65
154
0.050
0.060
0.016
0,010
11 40 0004
24.8
9.1
410
8.70
153
0.060
0.070
0.017
0.011
11 40 0015
23.3
7.4
420
8.40
159
0.060
0.070
0.019
0.009
11 40 0025
20.0
3.6
495
7.75
166
0.040
0.160
0.016
0.009
11 40 0030
17.1
0.0
475
7.45
179
0.050
0.450
0.026
0.012
11 40 0036
12.0
0.0
480
7.40
216
0.110
1.700
0.111
0.091
72/11/10
14 25 0000
84
480
8.40
167
0.030
0.030
0.027
0.014
14 25 0004
7.5
10.7
470
8.40
169
0.040
0.040
0.030
0.016
14 25 0015
7.5
11.0
470
8.40
168
0.030
0.030
0.031
0.017
14 25 0020
7.5
10.6
470
8.40
168
0.030
0.030
0.026
0.015
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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