U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NATIONAL EUTROPHICATION SURVEY
WORKING PAPER SERIES
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
An Associate Laboratory of the
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - CORVALLIS, OREGON
and
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Q 697-O32
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REPORT
ON
LAKECALHOUN
HENNEPIN COUNTY
MINNESOTA
EPA REGION V
WORKING PAPER No, 90
WITH THE COOPERATION OF THE
MINNESOTA POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCY
AND THE
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
JUNE, 1975
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•1
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword ii
List of Minnesota 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 [ 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.
* The lake discussed in this report was included in the National
Eutrophication Survey as a water body of interest to the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency. 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, niultivariate 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
Bernidji Beltrami
Big Stearr s
Big Stone Big Stone, MN; Roberts,
Grant, SD
Birch Cass
Blackduck Beltrami
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 Kandlyohi
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
Walimark Chisago
White Bear Washington
Winona Douglas
Wolf Beltrami, Hubbard
Woodcock Kandiyohi
Zumbro Olmstead, Wabasha
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vi
Map Location
/
(
LAKE CALHOUN \\.
® Tributary Sampling Site
)( Lake Sampling Site
Direct Drainage Area Limits
____________________ Ni.
Scale
X02
LAKE
ç CALHOUN )
)co’
930 19’
)
)
/
930 20’
/
56 L.
r
c 5 /7
/7
LAKE
HARRIET
(
)
1’
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LAKE CALHOUN
STORET NO. 27B6
I. INTRODUCTION
Lake Calhoun was included in the National Eutrophication Survey as
a water body of interest to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. No
known wastewater treatment plants impact the lake, and tributary sampling
was minimal because of lack of flows (the data obtained are given in
Appendix C). Therefore, this report primarily relates to lake sampling
data.
II. CONCLUSIONS
A. Trophic Condition:
Survey data show that Lake Calhoun is eutrophic. Of the 60
Minnesota lakes on which sample was completed, 37 had less mean
total phosphorus, 39 had less mean dissolved phosphorus, 44 had
less mean inorganic nitrogen, 24 had less mean chlorophyll a, and
18 had greater mean Secchi disc transparency.
This central Minneapolis lake is characterized by summer fish—
kills and seasonal anaerobic bottom conditions with hydrogen
sulfide formation. High nutrient levels with severe oxygen
depression in the hypolimnion are indicative of excessive organic
loadings to the lake. The lake has a record of high chloride
input, including some storm water pollution (Schilling, 1974).
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2
B. Rate—Limiting Nutrient:
The algal assay sampled collected by Survey limnologists in
October, 1972, was lost in shipment to the laboratory. Personnel
of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency collected another assay
sample on April 27, 1973 , during spring turnover. The results of
the assay indicate Lake Calhoun was phosphorus limited at that
time.
The lake data obtained in 1972 indicate nitrogen limitation
in July, September, and October.
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3
III. LAKE AND DRAINAGE BASIN CHARACTERISTICS
A. Lake Morphometryt:
1. Surface area: 416 acres.
2. Mean depth: 34.8 feet.
3. Maximum depth: 90 feet.
4. Volume: 14,477 acre-feet.
B. Tributary and Outlet:
(See Appendix A for flow data)
1. Tributaries -
Drainage Mean flow
Name area (mi 2 )* ( cfs)*
Lake of Isles outlet 4.4 1.1
Minor tributaries &
immediate drainage - L .
Totals 8.4 2.1
2. Outlet - Closed basin; no normal surface water overflow.
C. Precipitation***:
1. Year of sampling: 27.5 inches.
2. Mean annual: 27.3 inches.
t MN Dept. of Conservation lake survey map (1954).
* Drainage areas are accurate within ±5%; mean daily flows are accurate
within ±10%; and ungaged flows are accurate within ±10 to 25% for drainage
areas greater than 10 mi 2 .
** Includes area of lake.
See Working Paper No. 1, “Survey Methods, 1972”.
t 1
S nvironniental rot
C rv31IIs Env,ronmerit& Res aicb Li ”
200 S W 35ft Stree’
., ‘330
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4
IV. LAKE WATER QUALITY SUMMARY
Lake Calhoun 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 65 feet at station 1 and 78 feet at station 2.
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 in the following table. 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 B.
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5
A. Physical and chemical characteristics:
FALL VALUES
(10/27/72)
Parameter Minimum Mean Median Maximum
Temperature (Cent.) 9.3 9.5 9.5 9.6
Dissolved oxygen (mg/l) 7.9 9.0 8.7 10.2
Conductivity (pmhos) 460 476 480 480
pH (unIts) 7.4 7.7 7.7 7.9
Alkalinity (mg/i) 118 119 119 122
Total P (mg/i) 0.069 0.127 0.091 0.303
Dissolved P (mg/i) 0.057 0.104 0.073 0.240
NO 2 + NO 3 (mg/i) 0.070 0.075 0.070 0.100
Ammonia (mg/i) 0.630 0.658 0.650 0.740
ALL VALUES
Secchi disc (inches)
50 72
63 119
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6
B. Biological characteristics:
1. Phytoplankton -
Sampling Dominant Number
Date Genera per ml
07/07/72 1. Anabaena 3,297
2. Microcystis 1,739
3. Dinobryon 797
4. Chroococcus 652
5. Tabellaria 254
Other genera 1,015
Total 7,754
09/05/72 1. Anabaena 3,653
2. Flagellates 344
3. Aphanocapsa 271
4. Closterium 253
5. Dinobryon 235
Other genera 687
Total 5,443
10/27/72 1. Stichococcus 3,367
2. Flagellates 2,814
3. Oscillatoria 2,211
4. Dinobryon 854
5. Syriedra 402
Other genera 2,864
Total 12,512
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 ( ig/1 )
07/07/72 01 12.2
02 9.7
09/05/72 01 6.2
02 7.5
10/27/72 01 19.7
02 18.0
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7
Maximum yield
( mall-dry wt. )
4.3
9.5
13.2
17.5
20.5
26.4
3.8
C. Limiting Nutrient Study:
1. Autoclaved, filtered, and nutrient spiked -
Ortho P Inorganic N
Spike (mg/i) Conc. (mg/fl Conc. (mg/i ) _____________
Control 0.018 0.620
0.010 P 0.028 0.620
0.020 p 0.038 0.620
0.050 p 0.068 0.620
0.050 p + 5.0 N 0.068 1.120
0.050 P + 10.0 N 0.068 1.620
10.0 N 0.018 1.620
2. Discussion -
The control yield of the assay alga, Selenastrum capri—
cornutum , indicates that the potential primary productivity
of Lake Calhoun was moderately high at the time the sample
was taken (April 27, 1973) . Also, the increased yields with
increased levels of orthophosphorus show the lake was phos-
phorus limited at that time.
The 1972 lake data indicate nitrogen limitation in July
(N/P ratio = 8/1), September (N/P = 9/1), and October (N/P =
7/1).
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8
V. LITERATURE REVIEWED
Schilling, Joel, 1974. Personal con iiunicatlon (compendium of
information on Minnesota study lakes). MPCA, Minneapolis.
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9
VI APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
TRIBUTARY FLOW DATA
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TRIBUTARY FLOW INFORMATION FOP MINNESOTA 10/30/74
LA’(E CODE 27B6 CALHOUN LAKE
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE 8.41
SUB—DRAINAGE NORMALIZED FLOWS
TRIRUTARY AREA JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC MEAN
27B6A 1 4.36 0.06 0.09 0.64 2.89 2.52 3.15 1.36 0.45 0.48 0.87 0.43 0.15 1.09
27967 1 4.05 0.05 0.07 0.71 2.61 2.18 2.94 1.17 0.34 0.40 0.65 0.32 0.13 0.96
SUMMARY
TOTAL DRAINAGE AREA OF LAKE = 8.41 TOTAL FLOW IN = 24.66
SUM OF SUB—DRAINAGE AREAS = 8.41 TOTAL FLOW OUT 0.0
NOTE *** THIS IS A CLOSED BASIN WITH NO NORMAL SURFACE WATER OUTFLOW
MEAN MONTHLY FLOWS AND DAILY FLOWS
TRIBUTARY MONTH YEAR MEAN FLOW DAY FLOW DAY FLOW DAY FLOW
2786*1 10 72 0.45 14 0.30
11 72 1.00
12 72 0.16
1 73 0.16 9 0.20
2 73 0.11
3 73 0.65
4 73 6.96
5 73 2.57
6 73 1.07 30 0.20
7 73 1.21 31 1.33
8 73 0.43 30 0.41
9 73 0.41 30 0.56
27B6Z7 10 72 0.34 14 0.30
11 7? 0.37
7? 0.14
1 73 0.13 9 0.20
2 73 0.OR
3 73 0.72
4 73 6.?9
5 73 2.22
6 73 1.00 30 0.20
7 73 1.04 31 1.14
B 73 0.33 31 0.29
9 73 Q .34 30
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APPENDIX B
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL DATA
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/10/30
27H60 I
44 56 18.0 093 18 42.0
CALHOUN LAKE
27 MINNESOTA
1IEPALES 2111202
3 0034 FEET DEPTH
00010 00300 00077 00094 00400 00410 00630 00610 00665 00666
DATE TIME DEPTH WATER DO TRANSP CNDIJCTVY P 11 1 ALK N02&N03 NH3—N PHOS—TOT PHOS—DIS
FROM 0 TEMP SECCHI FIELD CACO3 N—TOTAL TOTAL
TO DAY FEET CENT MG/L INCHES MICROMHO SU MG/L MG/L MG/L MG/L P MG/L P
72/01/07 09 35 0000 58 430 8.50 94 0.070 0.130 0.021 0.012
09 35 0004 18.8 P.6 97 0.040 0.050 0.037 0.013
09 0015 12.0 8.4 430 8.40 98 0.040 0.050 0.027 0.014
09 35 0020 9.5
09 35 0025 500 7.30
- 09 35 0028 8.0 0.6 135 0.260 0.540 0.101 0.070
72/09/05 09 40 0000 50 460 8.25 116 0.060 0.210 0.067 0.023
09 40 0004 18.9 6.0 460 8.15 116 0.040 0.250 0.069 0.023
09 40 0015 18.6 3.6 458 7.75 116 0.030 0.380 0.063 0.031
09 40 0021 18.6 3.1 460 7.70 116 0.040 0.400 0.054 0.031
09 40 0027 18.5 2.5 460 7.68 115 0.050 0.460 0.065 0.028
12/10/27 08 45 0000 119 480 7.40 119 0.070 0.650 0.091 0.073
08 45 0004 9.5 7.9 460 7.60 119 0.070 0.650 0.116 0.092
08 45 0015 9.4 9.8 470 7.60 1)9 0.070 0.650 0.140 0.114
08 45 0030 9.4 8.4 470 7.60 119 0.070 0.650 0.141 0.126
08 45 0040 9.4 10.2 480 7.60 120 0.070 0.650 0.189 0.168
08 45 0050 9.4 8.6 480 7.70 120 0.080 0.670 0.303 0.240
08 45 0065 9.3 8.4 480 7.70 122 0.100 0.740 0.222 0.175
_____________ - 32217
DATE TIME DEPTH CHLRPHYL
FROM OF A
TO DAY FEET UG/L
72/07/07 09 35 0000 12.2J
72/09/05 09 40 0000 6.2J
72/10/27 08 45 0000 19.7J
J VALUE KNOwN TO E !‘J ER U
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STOPET PEIPIEVAL PATE 14/I /3C
‘7 60?
44 56 68.0 093 I 39.0
CALIOUN LAKE
21 MINNESOTA
1 IEPALES
3
2111202
0070 FEET DEPTN
)03O0 00077
00 TRANSP
SECCH I
‘lG/L INCHES
00096
CNI)UCTVY
F I ELO
MI CRONHO
00630
N02 NO3
N—TOTAL
MG/L
OOblO
NH3-N
TOTAL
MG/L
7?/07/07 10 45 0000
10 45 0004
10 45 0015
10 45 0020
10 45 0025
10 45 0050
10 45 0077
72/09/05 10 10 0000
10 10 0004
10 10 0015
10 10 0022
10 10 0030
10 10 0060
10 10 0053
10 10 0065
10 10 007M
72/10/27 10 30 0000
10 30 0004
10 30 0015
10 30 00’S
10 30 0035
ID 30 0060
21.0
19 • 0
13.0
P.S
7.0
7.0
18.4
18.5
18.4
18.2
17.9
16.4
12.0
9.5
9.5
9.5
9.6
9.’.
9.6
bi 420
440
440
8 • 50
8.00
N. ID
DATE TIME DE°TH
FP0M OF
TO DAY FEET
72/07/07 10 65 0000
10 45 0050
77/09/05 I) 10 000’)
77/10/27 10 10 3’fl
3?? I 7
CML PPMYL
A
UG/L
00010
DATE TIME DEPTH WATEP
FROM OF TEMP
TO DAY FEET CENT
00400 00410
P’-4 T ALK
CACO3
Su MG/L
00665 00666
PHOS—TOl PHOS—DIS
MG/L P MG/L P
97 0.050
97 0.040
106 0.050
130 0.150
10.4
5.0
1.1
1.6
0.4
0.0
4.9
4.0
4.2
3.2
?.0
0.2
0.0
0.0
9.4
8.7
9.6
9.1
0.026
0.032
0.027
0.030
0.011
0.0 14
0.0 13
0.0 13
490
495
68 460
460
460
460
460
460
470
520
520
670
480
480
480
480
1.1*)
7 • 95
7.93
7 • 85
7 • 90
7 • 65
7 • 60
7 • 38
7.15
7.15
7 • $0
7 • 90
7 • 90
7 • 90
7 • 90
7 • 90
131
133
117
114
119
116
117
119
lie
119
143
120
120
121
118
118
lie
0.030
0 • 050
0 • 050
0.100
1.600
0.310
0 • 340
0.350
0.360
0.410
0 • 500
o • 650
0.810
2.540
0.650
0.640
0 • 630
0 • 650
0.680
0.650
0.100
0.070
0 • 040
0 • 040
0 • 040
0 • 040
0.040
0.030
0.030
0.080
0 • 130
0.070
0.0 70
0.070
0.070
0 • 090
0.070
0.281 0.251
0.069 0.024
0.065 0.024
0.061 0.026
0.058 0.030
0.068 0.031
0.072 0.040
0.092 0.056
0.640 0.033
0.558 0.562
0.069 0.060
0.076 0.062
0.076 0.057
0.081 0.061
0.077 0.067
0.073 0.060
9 • 7J
7.2
7. ‘J
I .
j r ; 1 f ) . • ) •- I
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APPENDIX C
TRIBUTARY DATA
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 74/10/30
27 36A1 LS27E 641
44 57 00.0 093 18 30.0
LK OF THE ISLES/LK CALHOUN CONN
27 15 MINNEAPOLIS
I/LAKE CALHOUN
Us 212 BRDG NE CORNER LAKE CALHOUN
11EPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET DEPTH
00630 00625 00610 00671 00665
DATE TIME DEPTH NO2 NO3 TOT KJEL NH3—N PHOS—DIS PHOS—TOT
FROM OF N—TOTAL N TOTAL ORTHO
TO DAY FEET MG/L MG/L MG/L MG/L P MG/L P
72/10/14 15 23 0.091 1.320 0.399 0.058 0.105
73/06/30 08 30 0.010K 1.680 0.042 0.021 0.060
73/07/31 07 30 0.010K 1.540 0.063 0.017 0.055
73/08/31 10 30 0.025 1.100 0.069 0.015 0.045
73/09/30 14 00 0.012 1.850 0.294 0.039 0.105
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE LESS
THAN INDICATED
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STORET RETRIEVAL DATE 7’.,1U/30
27 6’31 LS2786B1
44 56 (10.0 093 18 30.0
LK CALHOUN/LK hARRIET CONNECTION
27 15 ‘ 4INNEAPOLIS
0/LAKE CALHOUN
CO P-tWY 20 XING SSE END NEAPRERPY PARK
1 IEPALES 2111204
4 0000 FEET DEPTrI
00 30 0062 00610 00671 00665
DATE TIME DEPTR NO2 NO3 TOT KJEL NH3—N PHOS—DIS PHOS—TOT
FROM OF N-TOTAL N TOTAL UPTHO
TO DAY FEET MG#’L MC,/L MG/L MG/L P MG/L P
73/06/30 08 00 0.010K 2.400
73/OR/31 10 45 0.010K 1.150 0.069 0.009 0.042
73/09/30 14 00 0.010K 1. ou 0.340 o.O3 0.100
K VALUE KNOWN TO BE LESS
THAN INDICATED
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