Rates of seston (dry mass) sedimentation, estimated from sediment traps (ST rates) and sediment cores (SC rates), were determined at four water depths to examine seasonal and annual sedimentation patterns in Eau Galle Reservoir, Wisconsin (USA). Annual ST rates overestimated annual SC rates at water depths less-than-or-equal-to 4 m, suggesting that sediment resuspension and redeposition in relatively shallow regions of the reservoir caused the overestimate. In contrast, annual ST and SC rates were similar at depths >4 m, suggesting minimal sediment resuspension and redeposition in deeper regions of the reservoir. Using variations in daily ST rates estimated during the autumn overturn of 1987, we developed a conceptual framework for estimating sediment resuspension, redeposition, and focusing. Resuspension of shallow sediments during this particular period accounted for over 50% of the annual ST rate at depths less-than-or-equal-to 4 m. At the same time, focusing of resuspended shallow sediments to deeper regions accounted for about 20% of the annual ST rate at depths >4 m. Our results indicate that during autumn overturn in this reservoir, peaks in sedimentation in the deep, profundal region, estimated from sediment traps, may reflect sediment focused from shallow regions rather than sediment resuspended from the profundal region.
