Water quality and the effects of changes in phosphorus loading to Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin

Water-Resources Investigations Report 2003-4011
Prepared in cooperation with the Muskellunge Lake Association
By: , and 

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Abstract

Muskellunge Lake is a productive, eutrophic lake because of high nutrient loading. Historical data indicate that water quality has only slightly degraded since the early 1970s, possibly because of phosphorus input from effluent from septic systems. A detailed phosphorus budget for the lake indicated that most of the phosphorus comes from natural sources?ground water and surface water flowing through relatively undeveloped areas surrounding the lake. Modeling results indicated that the natural input of phosphorus was sufficient to maintain the lake's eutrophic condition. Analysis of sediment cores confirmed that only small changes in nutrient and algal concentrations have occurred over the past 100 years; however, the analysis indicated that the macrophyte community has increased over this time period. The aeration system, installed to alleviate winter anoxia, maintains aerobic conditions throughout the main bays of the lake.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water quality and the effects of changes in phosphorus loading to Muskellunge Lake, Vilas County, Wisconsin
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 2003-4011
DOI 10.3133/wri034011
Year Published 2003
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Contributing office(s) Wisconsin Water Science Center
Description vi, 18 p.
Country United States
State Wisconsin
County Vilas County
Other Geospatial Muskellunge Lake
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details