√ Links to Water Quality Reports
- Collected Data Conclusions and Strategies - This report by the Hubbard County Soil and Water Conservation District along with RMB Environmental Laboratories is based in part on historical data collected by LLAA members in water quality monitoring tests done from 1984 through 2011. It is the report which Mark Sommer, SWCD, referenced in his presentation at the 2012 LLAA Annual Meeting.
√ Links to Water Quality Graphs
- Secchi Trend Analysis ending September 2012
- Mean TSI Values through September 2012
- Chlorophyll-a Trend Analysis through September 2012
- Phosphorus Trend Analysis through September 2012
- Summary based on Water Quality Tests by Volunteers
For a treasure chest of information check this page on the RMB Environmental Laboratories website:
RMB Lakes Learning Links____________________________________________________________________
√ Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile for Long Lake
The Hubbard Soil & Water Conservation District's (SWCD) Hydro Lab is used by the Long Lake water quality monitoring volunteers on a monthly basis to monitor the dissolved oxygen (DO) and the temperature of Long Lake in one location, site 202, which is the deepest part of the lake. We started measurements in May of 2012. As you view the charts you can see what cisco experience. Cisco are like the canary in the mine and are the preferred forage of walleye. The information helps us understand better what all fish are experiencing here in Long Lake and the cycles of the lake.
This is a team effort. Volunteers gather the data using a sensitive probe to go down 127 feet, meter by meter, then using the Hydro Lab to electronically store that data while manually writing down the data that flashes and changes momentarily on the screen as the probe bobs around in the water - just in case there is trouble with the electronic file. The data is retrieved from the Hydro Lab by Mark Sommers, SWCD. Doug Kingsley produces the charts using DNR software. This series of charts from Doug Kingsley (MN DNR Fish and Wildlife Area Fisheries Supervisor in Park Rapids) are based on the dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature monitoring manually-recorded data and the Hydro Lab electronically-recorded data.
Doug Kingsley reviewed the August 19, 2012 data and shared his observations...
"...there is only about 26-1/2 feet of suitable habitat for cisco, compared to about 71-1/2 feet of suitable habitat the last time you sampled on 7/15/12. As you might have expected, temperatures of the upper layer of water (epilimnion) decreased with the cooler weather in early August. But, DO in the lower layer of water (hypolimnion) declined substantially.
You can also see those changes in the Lethal Oxythermal Niche Boundary chart, where the higher DO/Temp combinations got better and pulled away (left) from the lethal boundary but the lower DO/Temp combinations got worse and moved closer (down) toward the lethal boundary..."
About the September 16, 2012 samplings Doug commented, "At 65° F. at the surface, water temperatures throughout the water column are well below critical levels for even coldwater species like cisco. Dissolved oxygen was less than 3 ppm at about 40 feet deep, not much different than the last sample. That’s good news."
Charts from May 20, 2012 to September 16, 2012 can be viewed here:
Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Charts for Long Lake
This is a team effort. Volunteers gather the data using a sensitive probe to go down 127 feet, meter by meter, then using the Hydro Lab to electronically store that data while manually writing down the data that flashes and changes momentarily on the screen as the probe bobs around in the water - just in case there is trouble with the electronic file. The data is retrieved from the Hydro Lab by Mark Sommers, SWCD. Doug Kingsley produces the charts using DNR software. This series of charts from Doug Kingsley (MN DNR Fish and Wildlife Area Fisheries Supervisor in Park Rapids) are based on the dissolved oxygen (DO) and temperature monitoring manually-recorded data and the Hydro Lab electronically-recorded data.
Doug Kingsley reviewed the August 19, 2012 data and shared his observations...
"...there is only about 26-1/2 feet of suitable habitat for cisco, compared to about 71-1/2 feet of suitable habitat the last time you sampled on 7/15/12. As you might have expected, temperatures of the upper layer of water (epilimnion) decreased with the cooler weather in early August. But, DO in the lower layer of water (hypolimnion) declined substantially.
You can also see those changes in the Lethal Oxythermal Niche Boundary chart, where the higher DO/Temp combinations got better and pulled away (left) from the lethal boundary but the lower DO/Temp combinations got worse and moved closer (down) toward the lethal boundary..."
About the September 16, 2012 samplings Doug commented, "At 65° F. at the surface, water temperatures throughout the water column are well below critical levels for even coldwater species like cisco. Dissolved oxygen was less than 3 ppm at about 40 feet deep, not much different than the last sample. That’s good news."
Charts from May 20, 2012 to September 16, 2012 can be viewed here:
Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Charts for Long Lake
____________________________________________________________________
September, 2010 Overview
 |
| Preparing Documentat |
LONG LAKE WATER QUALITY MONITORING REPORT AND END OF YEAR AVERAGES (2010)
Submitted by: Harry L. Stock, Water Quality Coordinator,
assisted by Jon Sams.
 |
| Secchi |
(The Long Lake Water Quality Monitoring Program includes elements as referenced in previous reports.)
Expected Ranges:
Phosphorus: 14 – 27 - Is a nutrient for plant food and can enter the
lake through run-off from manure, fertilizer, or seepage from septic
systems.
Chlorophyll-A: 1 – 10 – Is the pigment that makes algae green. It is measured to determine algae concentration.
Secchi Disk: 8 - 15 feet
Results:
How does Long Lake (#29-0161-00) compare to the above expected ranges?
Additional Comments/Observations:
-
Since June, Long Lake has been classified in the Oligotrophic*
category for Phosphorus; Chlorophyll-A results classify Long Lake in the
Mesotrophic* category. We are excited about the results this month,
however, we need to continue to work on our erosion problems.
-
When we compare the water analysis scores for 2009 with our present
2010 scores, one can see a very nice improvement this year.
*Oligotrophic
= Very little nutrients having deep clear water and sandy bottoms with
very little algae. These lakes are found in Northern Minnesota.
*Mesotrophic
= Meso means middle or mid range with medium amount of nutrients
(phosphorus, nitrogen). These lakes are found in north central
Minnesota lakes with clear water and some algae bloom in late summer.
The photos below show some of the process involved in collecting and processing water samples.
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