Utah Lake Watch Report Utah State University Water Quality Extension. Prepared by:

Transcription

1 Utah Lake Watch Report 2007 Utah State University Water Quality Extension Prepared by: Andrea Dunn and Susan Anderson

2 Introduction Utah Lake Watch (ULW) is a statewide monitoring program which enlists the help of volunteers to gain insight i on the health of Utah s lakes and reservoirs. These data help the Utah Division of Water Quality in their lake protection programs, and provide lake managers with a better picture of the health of their lake. Major objectives of the program include: acquiring baseline data for Utah s lakes and reservoirs; providing education to the citizens of the state on the importance of healthy lakes, how lakes function, and how we monitor lakes; and demonstrating the effectiveness of citizen monitoring in collecting water quality data which can be used to better manage and protect our lakes and reservoirs. To meet these objectives, Utah Lake Watch participants are trained to measure the transparency of a particular lake or reservoir on a regular basis from May until September. The participants record these readings and weather observations on a data sheet, and return the data to USU Water Quality Extension at the end of the season. USU Water Quality Extension complies the raw data and delivers it electronically to the Utah Division of Water Quality. In addition, they summarize the results for each lake and return these summarizes to the citizen volunteers. All of these results and interpretations are contained in this annual report. Participants measure transparency using a Secchi disk. The measurement itself is very easy; the Secchi disk, which is a white and black weighted disk attached to a line, is lowered into the water until it is no longer visible. The line is pulled slowly back up and the depth at which the Secchi disk reappears is recorded. This is referred to as the Secchi depth, which correlates to other indicators of a lake s health, such as the amount of suspended algae growing in the lake, the amount of nutrients entering the lake, and seasonal patterns of plant growth. The Secchi depth is converted to a Trophic State Index or TSI which is used to classify lake health (see Discussion Section). Results In 2007, 17 lakes and reservoirs were successfully monitored. New monitoring sites for 2007 included Butterfly Lake, Deer Creek Reservoir, Flaming Gorge Reservoir, Grantsville Reservoir, Stansbury Lake, and Vernon Reservoir. Unfortunately, we did not have volunteers on 10 lakes which were previously monitored in We hope to reactivate these volunteers for these sites for the 2008 season, which will greatly increase the breadth of the Utah Lake Watch program throughout the state. A list of the lakes and reservoirs and the volunteer monitors is listed in Table 1. The average Secchi depth measurements are displayed in Figure 1. The number of samples collected varied as well as the dates of collection because the volunteers are not restricted to collection times. The sample collections and dates for each lake or reservoir are summarized in Table 2.

3 Table 1. Participant List *Note: Some site coordinates were obtained from DWQ lake and reservoir reports. Lake / Reservoir Site Coordinates Volunteer(s) Butterfly Lake N ' W ' Dick and Mary Ann Anderson Burreston Pond N ' W ' Scott and Bunny Andrews Causey Reservoir N ' W ' Christian Baker Deer Creek Reservoir N 40 24' 24'' W ' 33'' Dawn Larsen Flaming Gorge Reservoir N 40 54' 52'' W ' 17'' Ken and Gerda Robison Grantsville Reservoir N 40 32' 32'' W ' 13 Mike Enright and Braiden Candelaria Hyrum Reservoir N ' W ' Floyd Powell Newton Reservoir N ' W ' Janet Fisher Pineview Reservoir N ' W ' Craig Haaser Red Fleet Reservoir N ' W ' Mike Murray Smith and Morehouse Reservoir N ' W ' Wayne Edwards Stansbury Lake N 40 38' 40'' W ' 17'' Mike Enright and Braiden Candelaria Starvation Reservoir N ' W ' Mike Nealley Steinaker Reservoir N ' W ' Mike Murray Vernon Reservoir N 39 59' 35'' W ' 15'' Mike Enright and Braiden Candelaria Willard Bay N ' W ' Roland Bringhurst Yuba Lake N ' W ' Chris Evans

4 Average Secchi Depth Lake/Reservoir Secch hi Depth (meters) Figure 1. Average Secchi Measurement for each lake or reservoir monitored in 2007 by ULW volunteers. The maximum average depth for 2007 was 8.3 m at Flaming Gorge. The minimum average depth was 1.2m at the Stansbury Lake. The number of samples at each site varied, as well as the dates of collection, see Table 2. Table 2. The number of Secchi depths collected at each site varied, as well as the dates of collection. This table summarizes the number of measurements collected at each site and the months of collection at the site. Lake / Reservoir Number of Measurements Collected Months of Collection Butterfly Lake 1 June Burreston Pond 7 June-August Causey Reservoir 6 May-September Deer Creek Reservoir 4 July-September Flaming Gorge Reservoir 3 July-August Grantsville Reservoir 4 May-July Hyrum Reservoir 15 May-September Newton Reservoir 1 August Pineview Reservoir 9 April-August Red Fleet Reservoir 4 June-September Smith and Morehouse Reservoir 2 July-August Stansbury Lake 4 May-July Starvation Reservoir 14 April-September Steinaker Reservoir 4 June-September Vernon Reservoir 1 May Willard Bay 6 May-July Yuba Lake 7 May-September

5 Discussion Eutrophication, or lake aging, is the natural process by which a lake fills in over geologic time with erosion materials carried by the tributary streams, with materials deposited directly through the air, and with materials produced in the lake itself. The natural process of eutrophication usually requires thousands of years to happen. However, human influence can accelerate the process by altering wetlands and watersheds, shoreline vegetation, discharging sewage into lakes, and improper management of agricultural, development or industrial activities. This is known as cultural eutrophication. Lakes which experience a high degree of cultural eutrophication can experience fish kills, excessive aquatic weed and algal growth, loss of game fish, increased treatment costs for culinary water, loss of recreational usage, and other water quality related problems. As a scientific tool, classification can be a practical method useful in lake management. Scientists have developed lake classification schemes based on origin, shape, thermal range, depth, chemical content, dominant types of organisms, and trophic state. Trophic state is an important factor to use when classifying lakes for lake management decisions. This classification is loosely interpreted as the nutritional status of a lake, and can give insight to the productivity and health of a lake. A Secchi depth is only one parameter used in calculating a Trophic State Index (TSI) and caution must be used when evaluating the overall health of a lake based on one type of data collection. Two other parameters can be used to calculate the TSI value; phosphorus concentration and chlorophyll concentration. Generally water clarity, phosphorus concentration, and chlorophyll concentration correlate with each other. High phosphorus concentrations can stimulate more plant growth (higher chlorophyll concentrations), which can lead to lower water clarity (low Secchi depth). Waterbodies are classified using the TSI index below: Classification Definition TSI Index Value Oligotrophic Mesotrophic A waterbody having low turbidity and abundant dissolved oxygen (i.e. good water quality). A waterbody having moderate turbidity and moderate dissolved oxygen (i.e. moderate water quality). < Eutrophic A waterbody having high turbidity and low dissolved oxygen (impaired water quality). Hypereutrophic A waterbody that is extremely turbid and exceptionally low in dissolved oxygen (i.e. very poor water quality). >70 Table 3. Trophic State Classifications. The average TSI values calculated from the average Secchi depth measurements are shown in Figure 2.

6 TSI Value Average TSI Value Lake/Reservoir Figure 2. Average TSI Measurements for each lake or reservoir monitored in For this report, TSI values were calculated using the Carlson equation (Carlson, 1977): TSI = 10(6-log2SD) where SD = Secchi Depth. TSI values greater than 40 indicated oligotrophic conditions or good water quality. Lakes and reservoirs are categorized into trophic classifications by various characteristics associated with each lake. In Utah, hypereutrohpic classification is used to describe lakes in the extreme eutrophic range. An oligotrophic lake (e.g. Bear Lake) is typically a high elevation lake with low nutrient enrichment, crystal clear waters and rocky or sandy shorelines, es, where e planktonic and rooted plant growth are sparse, se, whereas eas a eutrophic lake (e.g. Willard Bay) is usually high in nutrient enrichment and typically shallower with a soft, mucky bottom, and water clarity tends to be poor and has a coloration. Mesotrophic lakes or reservoirs, an intermediate trophic state, display characteristics between oligotrophic and eutrophic states. According to the ULW data, most waterbodies monitored in the state appear to be mesotrophic (see Table 4 for ULW lake and reservoir classifications). This indicates that the water has moderate turbidity and medium dissolved oxygen.

7 Oligotrophic Mesotrophic Eutrophic Hypereutrophic Butterfly Lake Deer Creek Reservoir Flaming Gorge Reservoir Newton Reservoir Starvation Reservoir Burreston Pond* Causey Reservoir Grantsville Reservoir Hyrum Reservoir Pineview Reservoir Red Fleet Reservoir Smith and Morehouse Reservoir Steinaker Reservoir Vernon Reservoir Yuba Lake Stansbury Lake* Willard Bay Table 4. ULW Lake and Reservoir Classifications. Note: This classification is based on 2007 data only and does not account for past trends. * These waterbodies are shallow and the Secchi disk can hit the bottom of the reservoir or lake, which does not allow for an accurate representation of the TSI value or classification. The Utah Lake Watch program has been collecting data since General trends show that many of the lakes and reservoirs are mesotrophic and oligotrophic, likely indicating that the waterbodies are healthy and that there may be few pollutants (nutrients and sediments) making it to the reservoirs. This is a good sign for many lakes and reservoirs throughout the state. We hope that the Utah Lake Watch program will continue to help us further understand the health of our local waterbodies. The results for individual lakes or reservoirs are included in the remainder of this report. Each volunteer monitor receives this portion of the report and their results from the lake or reservoir which they monitored. Thank you to all of the volunteers who participated in the 2007 Utah Lake Watch! References Utah Water Quality Division Lake Reports < Carlson, Robert E. A Trophic State Index for Lakes Limnology and Oceanography.1977:

8 Butterfly Lake Summary Data Volunteer Monitors: Dick and Mary Ann Anderson Butterfly Lake is a small lake in the western portion of the High Uinta mountains. Fishing, camping, picnicking, and hiking are popular p recreational activities at this high mountain lake. According to the ULW TSI value, Butterfly Lake is in an oligotrophic state. 7/8/ : Clear Average

9 Burreston Pond Summary Data Volunteer Monitors: Scott and Bunny Andrews Burreston Pond is located near Mona, Utah. The average Secchi measurement in Burreston Pond for 2007 was 2.1m. Although this average Secchi measurement would normally result in a TSI value of 49.5, it is important to note that Burreston Pond is a shallow body of water and the Secchi disk hit bottom before disappearing on every measurement, therefore the TSI classification does not work properly for this site. It is likely not mesotrophic as the TSI value would suggest. The Secchi disk measurements were taken from two locations on the Burreston Pond (west and east sides). 6/8/ : Clear 6/27/ : Clear 7/30/2007 9: Clear 8/20/ : Clear 8/20/ : Clear 8/30/ : Clear 8/30/ : Clear Average

10 Causey Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Christian Baker Causey Reservoir is located on the South Fork of the Ogden River above Huntsville. The average Secchi measurement in Causey Reservoir for 2007 was 2.5m, decreasing from the 2006 measurement of 3.2m. The average TSI value for 2007 was ULW data collected over the past 5 years indicates a steady Mesotrophic state. 5/28/ : Windy/Cloudy 6/16/ : Clear 7/14/ : Clear 8/4/ : Rain 8/18/ : Clear 9/15/ : Clear Average

11 Deer Creek Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Dawn Larsen Deer Creek Reservoir is located at the top of Provo Canyon in northern Utah. Much of the water for the Wasatch front comes from this reservoir and it is a popular pp recreation destination. The average Secchi measurement in Deer Creek Reservoir for 2007 was 4.8m. The average TSI value for 2007 was Deer Creek Reservoir shows as being in an oligotrophic state. 7/8/ : Clear 7/27/ : Clear 8/6/ : Clear 9/3/ : Clear Average

12 Flaming Gorge Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Ken and Gerda Robison Flaming Gorge Reservoir is one of the largest waterbodies in Utah. Fishing, camping, picnicking, and water skiing are popular recreational activities at Flaming Gorge. The average Secchi measurement in Flaming Gorge for 2007 was 8.3m. The average TSI value for 2007 was According the ULW TSI values, Flaming Gorge Reservoir is in an oligotrophic state. 7/7/ : Clear 7/29/ : Clear 8/11/ : Clear Average

13 Grantsville Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitors: Mike Enright and Braiden Candelaria Grantsville Reservoir is located at the base of the Stansbury mountains in western Utah. The reservoir water is used for irrigation and recreational fishing. The average Secchi measurement in Grantsville Reservoir for 2007 was 2.7m. The average TSI value for 2007 was Grantsville Reservoir is in the mesotrophic state. 5/20/ : Clear 6/16/ /28/ : Clear 9/9/ : Clear Average

14 Hyrum Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Floyd Powell Hyrum Reservoir is in Cache Valley, Utah. The reservoir provides recreation, water storage, and wetland habitat. The average Secchi measurement in Hyrum Reservoir for 2007 was 2.8m. The average TSI value for 2007 was Past data collected by the DWQ and the ULW indicate a steady mesotrophic state. 5/25/ : Partly Cloudy 6/9/ : Clear 6/14/ : Clear 6/29/ : Clear 7/4/ : Clear 7/7/ : Overcast 7/13/ : Partly Cloudy 7/21/ : Clear 8/4/ : Overcast 8/17/ : Partly Cloudy 8/28/ : Clear 9/1/ : Clear 9/3/ : Partly Cloudy 9/8/ : Overcast 9/18/ : Overcast Average

15 Newton Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Janet Fisher Newton Reservoir is located in Cache Valley, Utah. The reservoir is used as water storage for irrigation, and it provides recreational facilities as well. The average Secchi measurement in Newton Reservoir for 2007 was 7.05m. The average TSI value for 2007 was According to data collected for the ULW, Newton Reservoir appears to be in an oligotrophic state. 8/29/ : Clear Average

16 Pineview Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Craig Haaser Pineview Reservoir is located on the Ogden River at the top of Ogden Canyon. With its close proximity to urban areas, Pineview Reservoir offers four season recreational opportunities. i The average Secchi measurement in Pineview i Reservoir for 2007 was 2.8m. The average TSI value for 2007 was Past Secchi measurements collected by the DWQ and the ULW program indicate a fairly steady mesotrophic state. 4/30/ : Clear 5/17/ : Clear 6/4/ : Clear 6/20/ : Clear 7/8/ : Clear 7/18/ : Clear 8/5/ : Clear 8/20/ : Wind 8/12/ : Wind Average

17 . Red Fleet Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Mike Murray Red Fleet Reservoir is located at the base of the Uinta mountains in eastern Utah. It is a state park with full recreational facilities. The average Secchi measurement in Red Fleet Reservoir for 2007 was 2.5m. The average TSI value for 2007 was Based on current ULW TSI values, Red Fleet Reservoir is mesotrophic.. 6/15/ : Clear 7/21/ : Clear 8/15/ : Clear 9/20/ : Clear Average Red Fleet State Park Map <

18 Smith and Morehouse Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Wayne Edwards Smith and Morehouse Reservoir is located on the upper reaches of the Weber River drainage in the western High Uinta mountains. Smith and Morehouse Reservoir is a popular summer recreational destination. The average Secchi measurement in Smith and Morehouse Reservoir for 2007 was 2.6m. The average TSI value for 2007 was DWQ data from 15 years ago may have suggested the reservoir was in a eutrophic state; however, current data from ULW suggests the reservoir is in a steady mesotrophic state. 7/9/ : Partly Cloudy 8/23/ : Clear Average

19 Stansbury Lake Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Mike Enright and Braiden Candelaria Stansbury Lake is an artificial lake between Tooele and the Great Salt Lake. It was created as part of the landscape for Stansbury Park, a residential community. Although this average TSI value is 57.8 (indicating a eutrophic state) it is important to note that Stansbury Lake is a shallow body of water with the deepest depth site being recorded as m. It is likely that the Secchi disk hits bottom before disappearing on every measurement, therefore the TSI classification may not work properly for this site. 5/10/ : Clear 5/29/ : Clear 6/15/ /25/ : Clear Average

20 Starvation Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Mike Nealley Starvation Reservoir is located in the Uinta Basin, and is a popular state park in Duchesne County, Utah. This state park offers camping, boating, and fishing facilities. The average Secchi measurement in Starvation Reservoir for 2007 was 4.0m and the average TSI value for 2007 was This data indicates that Starvation Reservoir is in an oligotrophic condition. 4/14/ : Partly Cloudy 4/21/ : Partly Cloudy 6/2/ : Overcast 6/10/ : Clear 6/18/ : Clear 6/23/ : Partly Cloudy 6/29/ : Partly Cloudy 7/4/ : Clear 7/15/ : Partly Cloudy 7/22/ : Partly Cloudy 8/4/ : Partly Cloudy 8/12/ : Partly Cloudy 8/26/ : Overcast 9/2/ : Partly Cloudy Average

21 Steinaker Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Mike Murray Steinaker Reservoir is located north of Vernal, Utah. As a state park, the reservoir offers year round recreational opportunities. The average Secchi measurement in Steinaker Reservoir for 2007 was 2.6m and the average TSI value for 2007 was According to ULW data, Steinaker Reservoir is in a mesotrophic state. 6/15/ : /21/ : Clear 8/15/ : Clear 9/20/ : Clear Average

22 Vernon Reservoir Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Mike Enright and Braiden Candelaria Vernon Reservoir is located in the Uinta National Forest, near Vernon, Utah. The reservoir is primarily used as water storage for irrigation and offers fishing opportunities. The average Secchi measurement in Vernon for 2007 was 2.1m and the average TSI value for 2007 was Based on the data collected for the ULW, Vernon appears to be mesotrophic; however, future data would be needed to confirm this. 5/20/ : Clear Average

23 Willard Bay Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Roland Bringhurst Willard Bay is located west of Willard, Utah. It serves as water storage for irrigation in the Wasatch front. Willard Bay is a state park, providing recreational benefits such as boating, swimming, fishing, and camping. The average Secchi measurement in Willard Bay for 2007 was 1.7m and the average TSI value was According to past DWQ data and current ULW data, Willard Bay is in a eutrophic state. 5/27/2007 9: Windy 6/3/ : Clear 6/9/ : Clear 6/23/2007 8: Clear 7/4/ : Clear 7/23/ : Windy Average

24 Yuba Lake Summary Data Volunteer Monitor: Chris Evans Yuba Lake is located south of Nephi, Utah. It is a state park and provides a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors including fishing, boating, camping, and swimming. The average Secchi measurement in Yuba Lake for 2007 was 2.6m and the average TSI value was According to ULW data, Yuba Lake fluctuates between mesotrophic and eutrophic states. In 2007, the TSI value implied a mesotrophic state. 5/12/ : Clear 5/20/ : Overcast 6/10/ : Clear 6/29/ : Clear 7/14/2007 8: Clear 7/29/2007 8: Clear 8/12/2007 8: Clear 9/9/2007 8: Partly Cloudy Average