U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
I PETENWELL FLOWAGE
JUNEAU, ADAMS, AND HOOD COUNTIES
I WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 74
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
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REPORT
ON
FLOWAGE
JUNEAU, ADAMS, AND WOOD COUNTIES
WISCONSIN
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 74
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND THE
WISCONSIN NATIONAL GUARD
JUNE, 1975
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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. Reservoir 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 [ 5303(e)], water
quality criteria/standards review [ 5303(c)], clean lakes [ 5314(a,b)],
and water quality monitoring [ 5106 and 5305(b)] activities mandated
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
* The lake discussed in this renort ‘gas 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 samoled, and this reoort 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 Darn Barron
Beaver Darn Dodge
Big Eau Pleine Marathon
Browns Racine
Butte des Morts Winnebago
Butternut Price, Ashland
Castle Rock Flowage Juneau
Corno Walworth
Crystal Vilas
Del avan 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
Oconornowoc 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,
Cal umet
Wisconsin Columbia
Wissota Chippewa
Yellow Burnett
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flap Location
ASTLE
Adams
‘CK
LOWAGE
CASTLE ROCK FLOWAGE
& PETENWELL FLOWAGE
X Lake Sampling Site
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PETENWELL FLOWAGE
STORET NO. 5534
I. INTRODUCTION
Petenwell Flowage 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 reservoir sampling data.
Petenwell Flowage was formed by impoundment of the Wisconsin River
near Necedah by the Wisconsin River Power Company in 1949. Domestic,
food—processing, and pulp and paper mill wastes are discharged to the
Wisconsin River above the Flo iage (McKersie, et al., 1970). Reportedly,
there are seven pulp and paper mills in the 25 river-miles above Petenwell
Flowage (Kluesener and Lee, 1973).
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data and studies by others (Kluesener, 1968; Kluesener
and Lee, 1973) indicate Petenwell Flowage is eutrophic. Of the
46 Wisconsin lakes sampled, 22 had less mean total phosphorus, 30
had less mean dissolved phosphorus, 33 had less mean inorganic
nitrogen, 28 had less mean chlorophyll a, and 36 had greater mean
Secchi disc transparency. Dissolved oxygen was depressed but not
depleted in August, 1972. However, severe dissolved oxygen problems
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2
occur in the Flowage (Schraufnagel, 1974), and partial winterkill
conditions exist (Klick and Threinen, 1969).
Survey lintnologists noted moderate to heavy algal blooms at
sampling stations 2 and 3 in August and reported what appeared to
be surface foam from pulp and paper mill discharges.
B. Rate—Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay results indicate Petenwell Flowage was phos-
phorus limited at the time the sample was taken (11/08/72). However,
the sampling data indicate nitrogen limitation in June and August.
Considering the results of his study, Kluesener (1968) thought
it likely that the Flowage is light-limited due to absorption by
color resulting from pulp and paper mill wastes as well as natural
sources. While this probably was a factor during Survey sampling,
the numbers of phytoplankton and the levels of chlorophyll a indi-
cate light inhibition was not as important as during Kluesener’s
study.
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3
III. RESERVOIR CHARACTERISTICS
A. Morphometryt:
1. Surface area: 23,040 acres.
2. Mean depth: 19.8 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 42 feet.
4. Volume: 456,000 acre-feet.
5. Mean hydraulic retention time: 47 days*.
B. Precipitation**:
1. Year of sampling: 42.7 inches.
2. Mean annual: 30.7 inches.
t Ball, 1973.
* Based on mean Wisconsin River discharge of 4,906 cfs at Wisconsin
Rapids (Anonymous, 1974).
** See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods, 1972”.
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4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Petenwell Flowage 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
three stations on the reservoir 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 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 chloro-
phyll a analysis. The maximum depths sampled were 38 feet at station 1,
27 feet at station 2, and 4 feet at station 3.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix A, and the
data for the fall sampling period, when the reservoir 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
(11/08/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 5.1 5.7 5.7 5.8
Dissolved oxygen (mg/i) 8.6 9.0 9.0 10.3
Conductivity (pmhos) 120 136 135 150
pH (units) 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.1
Alkalinity (mg/l) 26 29 29 34
Total P (mg/i) 0.047 0.055 0.054 0.070
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.021 0.026 0.025 0.031
NO 2 + N0 (mg/i) 0.250 0.267 0.260 0.300
Ammonia mg/l) 0.110 0.120 0.120 0.140
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches) 23 28 27 36
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6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
06/24/72 1. Melosira 2,206
2. Dinobryon 814
3. Cyclotella 615
4. Anabaena 542
5. Flagellates 452
Other genera 1 ,465
Total 6,094
08/18/72 1. Aphanocapsa 2,929
2. Microcystis 434
3. Nitzchia 180
4. Anabaena 108
5. Cryptomonas 108
Other genera 653
Total 4,412
11/08/72 1. Lyngbya 3,219
2. Raphidiopsis 913
3. Melosira 154
4. Flagellates 81
5. Cryptomonas 72
Other genera 253
Total 4,692
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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 )
06/24/72 01 11.8
02 9.2
03 11.5
08/18/72
01
0.6
02
1.0
03
106.7
11/08/72
01
5.3
.
02
03
5.0
7.3
Spike (ma/i )
Control
0.006 p
0.012 p
0.024 P
0.060 P
0.060 P + 10.0 N
10.0 N
nutrient spiked -
Inorganic N
Conc. (mg/i )
0.302
0.302
0.302
0.302
0.302
10. 302
10. 302
Maximum yield
( mg/i-dry wt. )
3.4
5.2
7.7
7.0
8.4
32.8
2.1
2. Discussion —
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri-
cornutum , indicates the potential primary productivity of
Petenwell Flowage was moderately high at the time the sample
was taken (11/08/72). Also, the increased yields with in-
creased levels of orthophosphorus show that the Flowage was
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and
Ortho P
____________ Conc. (mg/i )
0. 021
0.027
0.032
0.045
0.081
0.081
0.021
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8
phosphorus limited at that time (note the lack of yield
response when only nitrogen was added).
The reservoir data confirm phosphorus limitation in
November (N/P ratio = 17/1) but indicate nitrogen limita-
tion in June (N/P = li/i) and August, 1972 (N/P = 6/1).
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9
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonymous, 1974. Water resources data for Wisconsin. Part 1.
Surface water records. Water Resources Div., U.S.G.S., Madison.
Ball, Joseph R., 1973. Personal communication (flowage ruorphometry).
WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Klick, Thomas A., and C. W. Threinen, 1969. Surface water resources
of Juneau County. WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Kluesener, John W.,, 1968. Oxygen and color relationships in Peten-
well Reservoir, Wisconsin River. M.S. thesis, U. of Wisconsin,
Madison.
_____________ and G. Fred Lee, 1973. Organic loading of Petenwell
Reservoir, Wisconsin. Jour. Water Poll. Contr. Fed., vol. 45,
no. 2, pp. 269-282.
McKersie, Jerome R., Robert M. Krill, William H. Doyle, and Larry L.
Maltbey; 1970. Upper Wisconsin River pollution investigation
survey. WI Dept. Nat. Resources, Madison.
Schraufnagel, Francis H., 1974. Personal communication (review of
preliminary report on Petenwell Flewage). WI Dept. Nat. Resources,
Madison.
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VI. Appendix
Appendix A
Physical and Chemical Data
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
553401
44 03 42.0 090 01 12.0
PETENWELL FLOWAGE
55 WISCONSIN
1 IEPALES
3
2111202
0022 FEET DEPTH
DATE
FROM
To
32217
DEPTH CIILRPHYL
A
UG/L
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
00
TRANSP
CNOUCTVY
PH
T
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
MICROMMO
SU
MG/L
MG/I
MG/L
MG/I P
MG/I P
72/06/24
07 15 0000
17.0
7.6
30
143
6.51
39
0.160
0.420
0.090
0.066
07 15 0020
18.0
7.9
140
6.52
30
0.150
0.410
0.083
0.071
72/08/IA
12 10 0000
36
155
7.10
25
0.500
0.100
0.072
0.065
12 10 0004
23.2
5.8
160
7.00
27
0.500
0.080
0.069
0.063
12 10 0015
22.2
5.2
160
7.00
23
0.490
0.080
0.077
0.065
12 10 0020
21.1
4.4
165
6.80
25
0.480
0.090
0.076
0.068
12 10 0027
20.3
3.S
168
6.80
23
0.470
0.110
0.129
0.070
12 10 0035
20.2
3.5
170
6.75
28
0.470
0.120
0.094
0.068
72/31/08
08 40 0000
23
145
7.10
31
0.260
0.110
0.052
0.025
OR 40 0004
5.7
9.0
140
7.00
26
0.250
0.110
0.047
0.029
08 40 0015
5.7
9.2
140
7.00
27
0.260
0.120
0.050
0.025
08 40 0022
5.7
9.0
140
7.00
26
0.260
0.120
0.048
0.027
08 40 0030
5.7
9.0
140
7.00
28
0.260
0.120
0.051
0.029
08 40 0038
5.7
9.0
150
7.00
29
0.250
I I ME
OF
DAY FEET
7?/06/24
7?/QA/ 18
72/I I/OR
02 iS
12 10
08 40
0000
0000
0000
11.8J
0.ÔJ
5. 3J
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
DATE
FROM
TO
TIME DEPTH
or
DAY FEET
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
553402
44 08 30.0 089 59 00.0
PETENWELL FLOWAGE
55 WISCONSIN
72/06/24
7?/OM/18
7?/) 1/08
07 30 0000
13 50 0000
og 00 0000
9.2J
1.oJ
5.0J
1 1EPALES
4
2111202
0012 FEET DEPTH
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
00
TRANSP
CNDUCTVY
PH
T ALK
NO2 N03
NH3—N
PHOS—TOT
PHOS—DIS
FROM
OF
TEMP
SECCHI
FIELD
CACO3
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
DAY
FEET
CENT
MG/L
INCHES
MICRONHO
SU
MG/L
MG/L
HG/L
MG/L P
MG/L P
72/06/24
07 30 0000
17.8
7.6
27
125
6.56
35
0.190
0.400
0.062
0.052
07 30 0010
18.0
6.8
125
6.50
35
0.180
0.380
0.078
0.054
72/08/18
13 50 0000
30
180
7.00
30
0.140
0.210
0.064
0.051
13 50 0004
23.3
4.7
175
6.90
32
0.180
0.190
0.062
0.056
•
13 50 0013
22.6
4.3
180
6.90
32
0.130
0.190
0.061
0.052
72/11/08
09 00 0000
24
135
7.10
34
0.280
0.130
0.054
0.025
09 00 0004
5.7
8.6
135
7.10
34
0.280
0.130
0.053
0.027
09 00 0015
5.8
8.9
135
7.10
32
0.260
0.120
0.054
0.025
09 00 0020
5.8
8.7
135
7.00
32
0.260
0.110
0.056
0.024
09 00 0027
5.8
8.6
135
7.00
30
0.250
0.110
0.054
J VALUF I
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/09/30
GATE
FROM
TO
TIME DEPTH
OF
DAY FEET
32217
CHLRPHYL
A
UG/L
553403
44 11 12.0 089 55 37.0
PETENWELL FLOWAGE
55 WISCONSIN
11EPALES 2111202
0008 FEET
72/06/24
7?/OR/ IR
72/11/OR
07 50 0000
13 20 0000
09 30 0000
11.SJ
106.7J
7.3J
3
DEPT H
00010
00300
00077
00094
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
WATER
00
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
MICROMMO
SU
MG/L
P4G/L
MG/L
MG/I P
MG/I P
72/06/24
07 50 0000
18.0
7.1
27
180
6.71
42
0.080
0.530
0.108
0.088
72/08/18
13 20 0000
24
195
7.00
34
0.050
0.100
0.135
0.067
13 20 0004
26.0
5.6
185
6.50
34
0.050
0.110
0.086
0.035
72/11/08
09 30 0000
30
120
7.10
26
0.300
0.140
0.070
0.023
09 30 0004
5.1
10.3
120
7.10
27
0.300
0.130
0.069
0.021
J VALUE KNOWN TO BE IN ERROR
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