1. Long Lake management issues
The Problem/s:
Turbidity caused by
Inorganic (TSS) and organic solids (TVS). Turbidity decreasing?
Zebra mussels
Notice the difference between Long Lake and other lakes in the slide . As of 2015 Long Lake experienced and algal bloom . Lake County Health Department ttracked the bloom across the season and determined that it represented a “potentially hazardous algal bloom or HAB.
2. The algal bloom resulted in in high turbidity and/or lack of water clarity. Turbidity is caused by both organic and inorganic particulates. It is measured by filtering the water sample and “gently “ drying it= TSS. Then the sample is put into an oven and heated to a high temperature. This burns off all of the organic part of the sample and this determines TVS or that part of the sample that is algae and other life forms.
3. Zebra mussels ironically can increase clarity. Lake Michigan has encountered close to 20 ft. of increased water clarity HOWEVER zebra mussels do not like the blue-green algal forms that can cause blooms. They can also mobilize phosphorus as a consequence of their filter feeding. Net result are blooms blue-green algae. They are SELECTIVE filter feeders.
4. Carp are bottom feeders that ROIL the bottom disturbing bottom sediments and putting them into the water column. They also disrupt native plant beds and potentially move system toward algal dominance.
Long Lake Algal Bloom 2015
HAB
Common Carp

2. Potential influences Round lake drain urban non-point
Eagle Creek Drain urban non-point
Squaw Creek ag and urban non-point
Baxter residential sewage ( point source )
Legacy loadings from previous STPs*
Mud Lake ( intercepts P and sediment)
Long Lake is on the Squaw Creek Watershed and the Round Lake Drain, and the Eagle Creek Drain. Total watershed >25,400 acres. Lake = 392 acres Ratio = 65 to 1

3. Anabaena sp. = Annie
Aphanizomenon= Fanny
Blue green algal bloom caused by “Annie, Fanny, and Mike
Microcystis= mike

4. NOT NICE ! Say thank for your oxygen today however
Impact of Blue Green Algal Blooms:
Temporarily closed down drinking water
source on Lake Erie
Increased turbidity
Changes in fish food chains
Changes in macroinvertebrates/aquatic insects
Potential toxicity ( nuerotoxins and liver toxins)
Suppress growth of “good” plants
Interact with zebra mussels/ mussels can actually
promote blue green blooms
Negative impact on recreational fisheries
Potential loss of recreational use….dependent on density
Are found everywhere but size ( population numbers) matters
NOT NICE ! Say thank for your oxygen today however

5. Size ( amount or concentration ) matters
Classes of Pollutants and Their Typical Origin
Salt …. street run-off, winter de-icing ( avg. in county vs. USEPA standard)
Metals ( Cu,Zn,Pb)….street runoff; sewage
Nutrients ( P, NH3-N,NO3 )….Ag. Run-off, sewage, lawn fertilizers
+ legacy in bottom sediments
BOD= Biological oxygen demand…..sewage treatment, animal waste
Suspended Solids ( sediment)….Ag. Run-off, construction sites, bank erosion
Volatile Organics ( special locations like gas stations
PNAs (organics from street treatments)….driveway sealants
Size ( amount or concentration ) matters

6. Phosphorus however drives basic productivity in lakes and is the most important nutrient which is responsible for blue-green algae blooms.
Two ways to evaluate P :
1.) Concentration= weight/volume of liquid
.05 mg/l is State Standard
routinely violate state standard for all yrs
avg. in surface = X state standard
avg. below= X county avg. 10X s.s. Significant
2.) Load= total weight delivered to the lake / unit of time
lbs. or kg /day for the whole lake
lbs. or kg/ year for the whole lake
loading determines concentration
SIZE MATTERS

7. Squaw Creek/Long Lake Watershed & Water Quality Studies

8. 2001 to 2004 Size matters Measured flow, water quality parameters
( weekly) including P and TSS
Measured rainfall, evaporation, soil moisture land use, etc.
Created detailed watershed model
Total cost $500,000
Conclusions and significance:
Annual load and discharge from Baxter
similar to 1.5% of total
2. Principal load for Long Lake= internal load from historic STPs
3. Mud Lake mitigates or intercepts 35% to 85% of P and TSS dependent on flow
4. Model can be “updated” and used in future years
Size matters

9. 2001 to 2004
Conclusions of Stanley Eng. Study
Size matters

10. 2004 Size ( of watershed P and TSS) matters
Multiagency Management Plan
Identified land use practices, green infrastructure, stream bank stabilization opportunities, flood control opportunities
Multiple nutrient and sediment reduction efforts for both agricultural and urban land use
Conservation plan for the watershed
Conclusions and Significance:
SMC has 34 conservation projects on watershed
25,250 acres means significant discharge to Long Lake
Need to update Watershed Plan
Need to validate yearly load assessments
Size ( of watershed P and TSS) matters

11. 2005 to 2016 Size and Origin of the Loading Matters for
Monitored water quality in upper and lower layers of lake
No discernible trend in Total P or TSS
Long Lake P limited in almost all years
Avg. Water clarity decreased by
close to a foot (2005 to 2015)
Documented potential hazardous blue-green
algal bloom ( 2015)
Conclusions and Significance:
Use impairment is increasing
Management intervention is desirable
Need to evaluate internal and external P loads
Need to extend monitoring to the watershed and outlet
Size and Origin of the Loading Matters for
Framing Future Management…..Size Matters

12. 2017 Standards violation TMDL analysis
July of 2017…engineering firm is doing analysis
TMDL= 1. export from watershed model
2. and lake response model
TMDL Analysis = amount of P loading that is required to meet the State Standards for Total P
Long Lake
State Standard

13. So What Needs to Happen ?

14. P Control Options: Analytic Options Aeration ( large scale)
Alum Treatment
Hypolimnetic withdrawal
Dredging
Optimize wetland interception at Mud Lake
Carp removal
Optimize nutrient treatment
across watershed
Baxter sewage rerouting
Analytic Options
Scale up watershed water quality monitoring and analysis
Update Baxter Watershed Model
Update SMC Watershed Plan
Obtain 319 Funds from IEPA and update TMDL analysis
Prepare a Lake Management Plan
Determine Internal Loading estimates w LCHD

15. Some lesser known residents of Squaw Creek/Long Lake
Orangespotted sunfish Lepomis humilis
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