Delavan Lake: Hydrology, water quality, and biology
Eutrophication of Delavan Lake accelerated from the 1940s to 1980s, resulting in a hypereutrophic lake with severe blue-green algae blooms. Extensive rehabilitation efforts were implemented to improve water quality. The USGS measured nutrients, suspended sediment, water quality, and plankton populations to quantify the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and guide future management decisions.
Problem
Eutrophication of Delavan Lake accelerated from the 1940s to 1980s, resulting in a hypereutrophic lake with severe blue-green algae blooms. Extensive rehabilitation efforts were implemented from 1990–1993 to improve the lake’s water quality. Monitoring of the lake and nutrient and sediment loads to the lake is continuing to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and guide future management decisions.
Objectives
The overall objectives of the project are to: (1) quantify the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts by measuring nutrient and suspended sediment loads at Jackson Creek at Mound Road (wetland outlet) and Delavan Lake Inlet at Highway 50t, and (2) measure water quality and plankton populations in the lake.
Approach
Nutrients, suspended sediments, and streamflow are monitored at Mound Road, and at Highway 50. Nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and planktonic populations are monitored within the lake.
Monitoring and Data
Eutrophication of Delavan Lake accelerated from the 1940s to 1980s, resulting in a hypereutrophic lake with severe blue-green algae blooms. Extensive rehabilitation efforts were implemented to improve water quality. The USGS measured nutrients, suspended sediment, water quality, and plankton populations to quantify the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and guide future management decisions.
Problem
Eutrophication of Delavan Lake accelerated from the 1940s to 1980s, resulting in a hypereutrophic lake with severe blue-green algae blooms. Extensive rehabilitation efforts were implemented from 1990–1993 to improve the lake’s water quality. Monitoring of the lake and nutrient and sediment loads to the lake is continuing to determine the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and guide future management decisions.
Objectives
The overall objectives of the project are to: (1) quantify the effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts by measuring nutrient and suspended sediment loads at Jackson Creek at Mound Road (wetland outlet) and Delavan Lake Inlet at Highway 50t, and (2) measure water quality and plankton populations in the lake.
Approach
Nutrients, suspended sediments, and streamflow are monitored at Mound Road, and at Highway 50. Nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, pH, specific conductance, and planktonic populations are monitored within the lake.
Monitoring and Data