U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
REPORT
ON
BARTLHTU\KE
KDOCHICHING COUNTY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 83
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER • CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
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REPORT
ON
BARTLETT LAKE
KDOCHICHING CQUN1Y
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 83
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
fliNNEsoTA NATIONAL GUARD
DECEMBER, 1974
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1
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Minnesota Study Lakes iv, v
Lake and Drainage Area Map vi
Sections
I. Conclusions 1
II. Lake and Drainage Basin Characteristics 3
III. Lake Water Quality Summary 4
IV. Nutrient Loadings 8
V. Literature Reviewed 13
VI. Appendices 14
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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.
OBJECT I V ES
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)],
and water quality monitoring [ lO6 and §305(b)] activities mandated
by the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972.
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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 Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency for professional involvement and to the Minnesota National
Guard for conducting the tributary sampling phase of the Survey.
Grant J. Merritt, Director of the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency, John F. McGuire, Chief, and Joel G. Schilling, Biologist,
of the Section of Surface and Groundwater, Division of Water Quality,
provided invaluable lake documentation and counsel during the course
of the Survey; and the staff of the Section of Municipal Works, Divi-
sion of Water Quality, were most helpful in identifying point sources
and soliciting municipal participation in the Survey.
Major General Chester J. Moeglein, the Adjutant General of
Minnesota, and Project Officer Major Adrian Beltrand, who directed
the volunteer efforts of the Minnesota National Guardsmen, are also
gratefully acknowledged for their assistance to the Survey.
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iv
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
STUDY LAKES
STATE OF MINNESOTA
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Albert Lea Freeborn
Andrusia Beltrami
Badger Polk
Bartlett Koochiching
Bear Freeborn
Bemidji Beltrarni
Big Stearns
Big Stone Big Stone, MN; Roberts,
Grant, SD
Birch Cass
Blackduck Bel trami
Blackhoof Crow Wing
Budd Martin
Buffalo Wright
Calhoun Hennepin
Carlos Douglas
Carrigan Wright
Cass Beltrami, Cass
Clearwater Wright, Stearns
Cokato Wright
Cranberry Crow Wing
Darling Douglas
Elbow St. Louis
Embarass St. Louis
Fall Lake
Forest Washington
Green Kandiyohi
Gull Cass
Heron Jackson
Leech Cass
Le Homme Dieu Douglas
Lily Blue Earth
Little Grant
Lost St. Louis
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V
LAKE NAME COUNTY
Madison Blue Earth
Malmedal Pope
Mashkenode St. Louis
McQuade St. Louis
Minnetonka Hennepin
Minnewaska Pope
Mud Itasca
Nest Kandiyohi
Pelican St. Louis
Pepin Goodhue, Wabasha, MN;
Pierce, Pepin, WI
Rabbit Crow Wing
Sakatah Le Sueur
Shagawa St. Louis
Silver McLeod
Six Mile St. Louis
Spring Washington, Dakota
St. Croix Washington, MN; St. Croix,
Pierce, WI
St. Louis Bay St. Louis, MN; Douglas, WI
Superior Bay St. Louis, MN; Douglas, WI
Swan Itasca
Trace Todd
Trout Itasca
Wagonga Kandiyohi
Wailniark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrarni, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohi
Zumbro Olmstead, Wabasha
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BARTLETT LAKE
Tributary Sampling Site
Lake Sampling Site
Sewage Treatment Facility
470 531
B4RTLETI
LAKE
I
Mi n
Map Location
940 15’
470 52’
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BARTLETT LAKE
STORET NO. 2705
I. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data and the data of others show that Bartlett Lake
is eutrophic. Of the 60 Minnesota lakes sampled in the fall
when essentially all were well-mixed, 38 had less mean total
phosphorus and mean inorganic nitrogen, and 24 had less mean
dissolved phosphorus. Of the 80 Minnesota lakes sampled, 57
had less mean chlorophyll a, and 60 had greater Secchi disc
transparency.
Survey limnologists noted generally poor water quality on
sampling visits with high turbidity and intensive algal
all
blooms.
B. Rate-Limiting Nutrient:
There was a significant loss of nutrients in the assay sample
between the time the sample was collected and the algal assay was
begun. The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in July and
September but phosphorus limitation in October.
C. Nutrient Controllability:
1. Point sources--During the sampling year, Bartlett Lake
received a total phosphorus load at a rate about 1.5 times the
rate proposed by Vollenweider (in press) as “dangerous”; i.e.,
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2
a eutrophic rate (see page 12). It is estimated that the Village
of Northome contributed 87% of that load.
It is calculated that 70% removal of phosphorus at the Northome
wastewater treatment plant would reduce the loading rate to 1.3
lbs/acre/yr or 0.15 g/m 2 /yr (a mesotrophic rate); 80% phosphorus
removal would reduce the loading rate to 1.0 lbs/acre/yr or 0.11
g/m 2 /yr (an oligotrophic rate). Either level of phosphorus removal
should improve the trophic condition of Bartlett Lake.
2. Non-point sources—-It is estimated that non-point sources
contributed about 13% of the total phosphorus load during the
sampling year.
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3
II. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometryt:
1. Surface area:
2. Mean depth: 8.
3. Maximum depth:
4. Volume: 2,575
5. Mean hydraulic
B. Tributary and Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
1. Tributaries -
Name ________________ ___________
None gaged
Minor tributaries &
immediate drainage -
Totals
2. Outlet -
Unnamed Creek (A-i)
C. Precipitation***:
1. Year of sampling: 27.2 inches.
2. Mean annual: 26.0 inches.
t DNR lake survey map (1948); mean depth by random-dot method.
* Drainage areas are accurate within ±5%; mean dai ly flows are accurate
within ±10%; and ungaged flows ar accurate within ±10 to 25% for
drainage areas greater than 10 mi’.
** Includes area of lake.
See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods”
‘ nol l R in
r - :‘ ‘
Corv jL O gc. i 9 33O
303 acres.
5 feet.
>15 feet.
acre/feet.
retention time: 1.9 years.
Drainage area* Mean flow*
2.9 mi 2
2.9 mi 2
1.9 cfs
1.9 cfs
3.4 mi 2 ** 1.9 cfs
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4
III. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Bartlett Lake was sampled three times during the open-water season
of 1972 by means of a pontoon-equipped Huey helicopter. Each time, sam-
ples for physical and chemical parameters were collected from one or
more depths at one station on the lake (see map, page vi). During each
visit, a single depth-integrated (near bottom to surface) sample was corn-
posited 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
for chlorophyll a analysis. The maximum depth sampled was 4 feet.
The results obtained are presented in full in Appendix B, and the
data for the fall sampling period, when the lake essentially was well-
mixed, are summarized below. Note, however, the Secchi disc sumary is
based on all values.
For differences in the various parameters at the other sampling
times, refer to Appendix B.
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5
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(10/21/72)
* O l3ia surface sample was collected in the fall, and temperature and
dissolved oxygen were not determined.
Parameter
Minimum
Mean
Median
Maximum
Temperature (Cent.)*
Dissolved oxygen (rng/i)* —
Conductivity (iimhos) 241
241
241
241
pH (units)
8.5
8.5
8.5
8.5
Alkalinity (mg/i)
107
107
107
107
Total P (mg/i)
0.117
0.117
0.117
0.117
Dissolved P (mg/i)
0.024
0.024
0.024
0.024
NO + NO (mg/i)
Ani onia mg/1)
0.170
0.210
0.170
0.210
0.170
0.210
0.170
0.210
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches)
12 20 18 30
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6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton*
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
07/12/72 1. Anabaena 6,920
2. Dinobryon 1,123
3. Microcystis 616
4. Ankistrodesmus 326
5. Synedra 290
Other genera 508
Total 9,783
09/08/72 1. Microcystls 17,970
2. Chroococcus 7,668
3. Anabaena 4,586
4. Lyngbya 1,955
5. Oscillatorla 1,729
Other genera 2,791
Total 36,699
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 )
07/12/72 01 58.7
09/08/72 01 63.9
10/21/72 01 25.8
* The October sample was lost in shipment.
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7
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
There was a significant loss of nutrients between the time
the sample was collected and the assay was begun. Therefore, the
assay results are not indicative of lake conditions at the time
of sampling.
The lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in July (N/P =
8/1) and September (N/P = 12/1) but phosphorus limitation in
October (N/P = 16/1).
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8
IV. NUTRIENT LOADINGS
(See Appendix C for data)
For the determination of nutrient loadings, the Minnesota National
Guard collected monthly near—surface grab samples from the outlet site
indicated on the map (page vi), except for the high runoff month of
April when two samples were collected. Sampling was begun in October,
1972, and was completed in September, 1973.
Through an interagency agreement, outlet flow estimates for the year
of sampling and a “normalized” or average year were provided by the Minne-
sota District Office of the U.S. Geological Survey.
In this report, nutrient loads for the sampled outlet were determined
by using a modification of a U.S. Geological Survey computer program for
calculating stream loadings*. Nutrient loadings for unsampled “minor
tributaries and immediate drainage” (“ZZ” of U.S.G.S.) were estimated by
using the means of the nutrient loads, in lbs/mi 2 /year, in Leech Lake
tributaries at stations C-i , D-1 , G—l , H-l , and J-i and multiplying the
means by the ZZ area in mi 2 .
The Village of Northome did not participate in the Survey, and nu-
trient loads were estimated at 2.5 lbs P and 7.5 lbs N/capita/year.
* See Working Paper No. 1.
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9
A. Waste Sources:
1. Known muncipal* —
Pop. Mean Receiving
Name Served Treatment Flow (m d) Water
Northome 351 Inihoff tank O.035** Bartlett Lake
2. Known industrial - None
* Anonymous, 1974.
** Estimated at 100 gal/capita/day.
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10
B. Annual Total Phosphorus Loading - Average Year:
1. Inputs -
lbsP/ %of
Source yr total
a. Tributaries (non—point load) -
None gaged
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non-point load) - 80 7.9
c. Known municipal -
Northome 880 87.1
d. Septic tanks - Unknown
e. Known industrial - None —
f. Direct precipitation* - 50 5.0
Total 1,010 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - Unnamed Creek (A-i) 430
3. Net annual P accumulation - 580 pounds
* See Working Paper No. 1.
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11
C. Annual Total Nitrogen Loading - Average Year:
1. Inputs —
lbs N/ % of
Source yr total
a. Tributaries (non-point load) -
None gaged -
b. Minor tributaries & immediate
drainage (non—point load) - 3,630 39.6
c. Known municipal -
Northome 2,630 28.6
d. Septic tanks — Unknown -
e. Known industrial — None - -
f. Direct precipitation* - 2,920 31.8
Total 9,180 100.0
2. Outputs -
Lake outlet - Unnamed Creek (A-l) 7,460
3. Net annual N accumulation - 1,720 pounds
* See Working Paper No. 1.
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12
D. Yearly Loading Rates:
In the following table, the exisitlng phosphorus loading
rates are compared to those proposed by Vollenweider (in press).
Essentially, his “dangerous” rate is the rate at which the
receiving water would become eutrophic or remain eutrophic; his
“permissible” rate is that which would result in the receiving
water remaining oligotrophic or becoming oligotrophic if mor-
phometry permitted. A mesotrophic rate would be considered one
between “dangerous” and “permissible”.
Total Phosphorus Total Nitrogen
Units Total Accumulated Total Accumulated
lbs/acr /yr 3.3 1.9 30.3 5.7
grams/m’/yr 0.37 0.21 3.4 0.6
Volleqweider loading rates for phosphorus
(g/m fyr) based on mean depth and mean
hydraulic retention time of Bartlett Lake:
“Dangerous” (eutrophic rate) 0.24
“Permissible” (oligotrophic rate) 0.12
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13
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Anonymous, 1974. Wastewater disposal facilities inventory. MPCA,
Minneapolis.
Schilling, Joel, 1974. Personal communication (lake map). MPCA, L
Minneapolis.
Vollenweider, Richard A., (in press). Input—output models. Schweiz
A. Hydrol.
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VII. APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
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TRIBUTARY FLOW INFORMATION Fop MINNESOTA 10/30/74
LAKE CODE ?705 kA TLETT LAKE
TOTAL r3PATNAG’E AREA OF LAKE 3.36
S IR—ORt INAGE NORMALIZED FLOWS
TRT81JTA RY AREA JAN FF8 MAR A H MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC MEAN
?706A 1 3.36 0.46 0.22 0.65 4.10 5.17 3.98 2.03 0.92 2.36 1.10 0.66 0.74 1.87
?705?Z 1.36 0.6 O.’R 0.85 4.0? 4.93 3.99 1.95 0.84 2.23 1.02 0.61 0.87 1.86
SUMMARY
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE = 3.36 TOTAL FLOW IN = 22.25
SUM OF SUB—DRAINAGE AREAS = 3.36 TOTAL FLOW OUT = 22.39
MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS AN(j flAILY FLOWS
TRIAIJTAPY MONTH YEAR MEAN FLOW DAY FLOW DAY FLOW DAY FLOW
?705A1 10 72 1.01 14 1.30
I I 7 ? 0.63 S 0.60
17 7? 1.12 3 1.30
1 73 0.51 20 0.40
7 73 Ø•74
3 73 1.77 17 5.10
4 73 0.57 1 1.60 1’. 0.20
5 73 0.67 1 1.30
6 73 0.4S 3 0.70
7 71 0.39 8 0.45
6 73 1.89 11 3.50
9 71 16.20 16 10.00
?7 0S?7 10 7? 0.93 14 1.20
11 7? 0.S7 S 0.60
1’ 7? 1.30 3 1.50
1 73 0.71 20 1.50
2 73 0.31
3 73 2.3? 17 7.00
4 73 0.56 1 1.60 14 0.20
5 73 O. 4 19 1.30
6 71 0.48 3 0.70
7 73 0. 7 A 0.43
8 73 1.72 11 3.20
9 73 15.30 16 9.50
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APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STORFT ETQIEVAL DATE 7 ./1O/1fl
270501
47 52 45.0 Ø 4 16 00.0
A’ TLETT LAKE
27 MINNESOTA
1 1EPALES
2111202
0004 FEET DEPTH
DATE
To
7?/07/ 1’
7?/09/O
72/ C/? I
IIuF flE T’-4
OF
DAY FFET
11. c o o
14 40 0000
I 45 (j30 0
1’?! 7
CHL eP -IYL
A
U’ IL
0001 ’)
oo:” o
00077
000 4
00400
00410
00630
00610
00665
00666
OATF.
TI ’F
OFPTP-l
ATFP
u ’O
TRA’ JSP
CNDUCTVY
PH
T aLtc
N02&N03
N -43—N
PHOS—TOT
PHOS—DIS
FPOM
OF
TFMP
SECCi- I
FIELD
CACO3
N—TOTAL
TOTAL
TO
OAY
FEET
CEIOT
‘ 1G/L
INCHES
P.IICPOMHO
SD
MG/L
M&/L
MG/L
MG/L P
MG/L P
72/07/I?
14 ‘5 0000
30
14 ‘5 0004
22.4
7.2
220
3.30
93
0.080
0.100
0.105
0.022
7?/0 /0
14 40 0000
15.7
1
258
8.M5
121
0.150
0.180
0.157
0.032
14 40 0004
15.’
10.3
255
8.90
118
0.200
0.270
0.156
0.034
7?/19/21
15 45 0000
12
241
8.50
107
0.170
0.210
0.117
0.024
58 • 7J
• J
25 •
J VALUE KNOWN TO [ N -p r)p
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APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY DATA
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STORET PEIPTEVAL DATE 74/l( /30
270541
47 53 00.0 094
UNNAMED STREAM
27 CO u36 .
()/ jA TLETT LAKE
U , 71 I RL)G N OF
I 1E ALES
4
LS27O5A 1
17 00.0
1)RNG bA TLET LAKE
SHEET 1
NO T HO ME
2111204
0000 FEET DEPTH
fl063 )
006?5
00 10
00671
006 ’
DATE
TIME
DEPTH
NO2 NO3
TOT KJFL
NH3—N
PHOS—DIS
PHOS—TOT
FROM
OF
N—TOTAL
N
TOTAL
ORTHO
TO
DAY
FEET
MG/L
¼1G/L
MG/L
Mc /L P
MG/L r’
72/10/14
10
30
0.11 ”
1.670
0.150
0.014
O.LIR
72/11/05
13
30
p.143
1.900
0.260
0.02
0.115
73/03/17
11
S
3. ?0
1.700
0.040
0.054
0.160
73/04/01
16
20
0.035
1.980
0.220
0.009
0.080
73/04/14
1?
15
0e 044
1. 00
0.168
0.024
0.155
73/05/19
12
53
1.400
0.028
0.016
0.12 )
73/06/03
13
10
.04?
1.610
0.036
0.021
0.1 ’S
71/O7/0
1?
55
0.0?4
3.400
o.c30
0.033
0.135
73/08/11
11
40
0.054
?.fl00
0.440
0.0??
0.095
73/09/16
12
70
0.010K
3.500
0.054
0.036
0.185
K VALUE KNOWN TO 8E LESS
THAN INDICATED
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