Water Quality Data

  Links to Water Quality Reports
  • 2020 Long Lake Water Monitoring Trend Analysis for the 10 most recent years - Our water quality analysis data from RMB Environmental Laboratories Inc “Lakes Database.” We thank our lake’s volunteer citizen scientists who have collected samples based on lab/MPCA protocols since 1997 in accordance with the HC COLA water monitoring program.  Information from the DNR Infested Waters List is included, as well as “Lake Finder,” plus the “Lake Dashboard” from the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
  • Long Lake Report, 20 Years in Depth - This report from RMB Environmental Laboratories contains data through 2016.
  • Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Chart - Patrick Sherman of RMB Client Services explained to us in 2013 that Total Suspended Solids (TSS) include clay, silt, sand, algae, decaying vegetation and pollen. [TSS is a combination of organic suspended solids, referred to as TSVS, plus inorganic suspended solids.]  While pollen is a component of TSS and can decrease clarity, it has minimal impact on lake water quality because it becomes waterlogged and sinks to the bottom after a relatively short time, adding very little nitrogen to the lake.  Moriya Rufer, Aquatic Ecologist, RMB Environmental Laboratory tells us that if one considers "TSS" to be all that is floating around in the water, it can be divided into 2 factions:  
    1. Organic Suspended Solids or TSVS (Total Suspended Volatile Solids):  This consists of primarily living or dead plant matter in Minnesota lakes. For the most part, it’s algae.
    2. Inorganic Suspended Solids:  This consists of primarily soil particles and/or refractory compounds. For the most part it’s soils from runoff after a rain event.
    To interpret the bar charts; one sees some algae and a fair amount of runoff early in the sampling season. By late summer however all the suspended solids is organic, indicating algae.  Read more about TSS at:  TSS - Wikipedia Page
  • Each season our water quality volunteer monitoring team adds five data points (May through September) to the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) chart. The monitoring is done at Long Lake Site 202 near the deepest part of the lake.  The process involves providing a water sample in a specifically designated bottle to RMB Environmental Laboratories for analysis.  We can think of this monthly TSS number as a measurement that speaks to our need for preventing and correcting erosion through shoreline restoration and by arranging rain gardens and buffer zones to keep runoff on land longer, thereby filtering water before it enters the lake.
    Related links:
  • 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 Reports
    For a treasure chest of information check this page on the RMB Environmental Laboratories website:
    RMB Lakes Database
    _______________________________________________________________

    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.


    -------
    2024 Report with explanation and charts can be found with the link below. 
     
    2020 Charts can be scrolled through here:

    2019 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2019 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile

     2018 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2018 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile

     2017 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2017 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile

     2016 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2016 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile

    2015 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2015 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile

    2014 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2014 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile

    2013 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2013 Dissolved Oxygen, Temperature Profile

    2012 Charts can be scrolled through here:
    2012 Dissolved Oxygen/Temperature Profile
     
    Doug Kingsley comments on DO/Temp monitoring and recent results:
    2012-2013 Comments
    2014 Comments
    2015 Comments
    2016 Comments - part I,  2016 Comments - part II
    2017 Comments
    _______________________________________________________________

      September, 2010 Overview

    Preparing Documentation
    LONG LAKE WATER QUALITY MONITORING REPORT AND END OF YEAR AVERAGES (2010)
    Submitted by:  Harry L. Stock, Water Quality Coordinator, 
    Secchi
    assisted by Jon Sams.
    (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.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)