Cooperator: Green Lake Sanitary District
Project Chief: William J. Rose
Location: Green Lake County
Project Number: 9KB27
Period of Project: October 1977–Continuing
Problem
Silver Creek is the primary source of phosphorus to Green Lake, the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin. Continued documentation of suspended sediment and phosphorus loads from major tributaries are needed to evaluate the lake’s water quality. Data are needed to determine changes in loads over time and loading variability in relation to streamflow.
Objective
The objectives of this project are to determine suspended sediment and phosphorus loads in relation to streamflow in selected tributaries to Green Lake and to monitor the lake’s water quality.
Approach
Streamflow will be monitored continuously at selected sites. Water-sediment samples will be collected manually and by automatic samplers during storm runoff. Suspended-sediment and nutrient concentrations will be determined. Daily, monthly, and annual mean suspended-sediment and nutrient loads will be computed. Lake water quality will be measured at two locations six times per year.
Progress (July 2003–June 2004)
Streamflow and water quality were monitored at the Silver Creek inlet to Green Lake and at the mouth of White Creek. The Silver Creek site is equipped with a Doppler velocity meter, a stage gage, and an automatic water sampler. The White Creek site is a conventional stream-gaging site and is equipped with an automatic water sampler. Streamflow, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loading to the lake were determined for both sites.
A gage on the Puchyan River near the outlet of Green Lake was operated to monitor flow from the lake. Water samples were collected manually for phosphorus analysis. Streamflow, loads, and concentration data were published in the report “Water Resources Data–Wisconsin, Water Year 2003.”
USGS began monitoring lake water-quality in Green Lake in May 2004.
Plans (July 2004–June 2005)
Streamflow and water-quality monitoring at the Silver Creek and White Creek inlets and at the Puchyan River outlet will be continued. Streamflow, phosphorus, and suspended-sediment loads will be published in the annual report, “Water Resources Data—Wisconsin.” Lake water-quality monitoring will continue. These data will be published in the annual lakes data report, “Water-Quality and Lake-Stage Data for Wisconsin.”
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