Limnological data for Donner Lake, California, May 1973 through December 1973

Open-File Report
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Abstract

Donner Lake is easily accessible to the metropolitan areas of Sacramento and San Francisco and is close to many recreational areas in the Sierra Nevada. The lake is used for recreation and is bordered by commercial establishments, summer vacation homes, and a large state campground. Domestic wastes around the lake have received only septic tank treatment. A sewerage system under construction and partly in use at the time of this study has been completed and now (January 1975) all domestic wastes are transported out of the basin.

In September of 1969 and 1970, a brief survey of the lake was conducted (Iwatsubo and others, 1972, p. 28). The results of that study indicated a well-established thermocline between 33 and 66 ft (10 and 20 m). A subsurface maximum in the dissolved-oxygen concentration occurred between 46 and 66 ft (14 and 20 m). In the shallow littoral zone, periphyton and patches of submerged rooted plants were visible.

In order to remain attractive for recreational use, Donner Lake will require sound management. A thorough understanding of the water quality in the lake and the quality of inflow and outflow is of paramount importance.

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Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Unnumbered Series
Title Limnological data for Donner Lake, California, May 1973 through December 1973
Series title Open-File Report
DOI 10.3133/70190186
Year Published 1975
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Description iv, 51 p.
Country United States
State California
Other Geospatial Donner Lake
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