2011 Lake Almanor Review - Upper Feather River Watershed

Transcription

2011 Lake Almanor Review:
Survey of Water Quality, Trend Analysis, and Recommendations
Prepared by:
Kyle Rodgers and Emily Creely
March 2012 Table of Contents
Introduction
Page 1
Importance of Lake Almanor and Monitoring
Section One
Page 2
Creating a Water Quality Database
Section Two
Page 3
Current State and Trends in Water Quality
Section Three
Page 8
Recommendations for Future Monitoring
Literature Review
Page 10
Appendix A
Minor Elements Review
Acknowlegements:
This report was made possible through the support of the Sierra Institute for Community and
Environment’s Special Project Fund and The California Department of Conservation.
Introduction:
A
Importance of Lake Almanor and Monitoring
t the head of the North Fork of the Feather River sits Lake Almanor. Its
idyllic mountain setting has made Lake Almanor a major draw. With
almost 32,000 acres of water surface to play on, the lake is a major
attraction for watersports enthusiasts and is home to one of California’s top trophy
trout fisheries. In addition to forming the basis of the local economy, Lake Almanor
is the beginning of a system that provides water to millions of Southern Californians
and hydropower for Pacific Gas & Electric customers. Ensuring proper protection of
this headwaters lake is vital to both residents and downstream users. Safeguarding
this valuable asset will require a strong foundation of scientific knowledge.
The Sierra Institute for Community and
Environment began its work in the Almanor
watershed in 2003 after two years of seeking
stakeholder interest. Working with the Plumas
County Board of Supervisors the Almanor
Basin Watershed Advisory Committee
(ABWAC) was formed; and Sierra Institute has
worked with the ABWAC since its inception to
provide stewardship of the Lake Almanor
basin.
Since 2009, the ABWAC has overseen water quality monitoring efforts at Lake
Almanor and Sierra Institute was charged with providing this data to the public in a
useable format. Prior to 2009, water quality data was collected by various groups and
agencies (primarily California Department of Water Resources and Pacific Gas &
Electric) with varied mandates over the years. As a result, no comprehensive dataset
of water quality data existed. Therefore, Sierra Institute undertook an effort to:
(1) develop a database of baseline water quality data using historic and current data;
(2) examine trends to understand the general health of the lake; and
(3) create recommendations for further monitoring and stewardship.
1 2011 Lake Almanor Review:
Section One:
Creating a Water Quality Database
Water quality monitoring at Lake Almanor dates back to the 1960s. Despite this
fact, inconsistencies in the data collection have limited its use for analysis. The first
task Sierra Institute completed was to create a unified database. Such a database
allows future monitoring to build upon past efforts so future changes in lake water
quality can be identified with clarity and confidence.
To create this database, historical data from 56 separate files were reconciled for
comparison. These files contained monitoring data that had been collected at different
depths, during different seasons, and using different protocols. The database was
reviewed and analyzed to identify comparable data. This analysis was conducted for
temperature, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, bacteria, and minor elements. The resulting
excel database is available for download from the Sierra Institute’s website.
The map below illustrates the locations of historical monitoring sites.
Section Two:
Current State and Trends in Water Quality
In general, lake health is good to excellent. This analysis of historic and recent
lake monitoring data shows that Lake Almanor provides generally high water quality
conditions for both recreational use and good habitat for biological organisms. The
lake has benefited from its location in multiple respects. Protected from
overwhelming mass tourism due to its relative remoteness, the introduction of
invasive species has been limited. Furthermore, the relatively cool climate, short
growing season, and cold water temperature could be expected to limit the growth of
some aquatic species that do arrive. However, this review highlighted a number of
changes in the lake’s water quality that may affect future lake health, including the
trends in temperature, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients discussed below.
Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen
Water temperature has been one of the most consistently monitored parameters with
comparable monitoring data available for the past 20 years. When the average yearly
water temperatures were calculated for the period from 1990-2010, an obvious
upward trend appears. Average yearly water temperature increased over this period
from 50.38 °F in 1990 to 56.95 °F in 2010.
Yearly Average Temperature
59
Average Water Temperature
(Farenheight)
58
57
56
Temperature (°F)
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
1985
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
2015
Year
To find the “yearly average temperature” for the lake, available data from all sites was averaged.
Increased temperatures have been accompanied by decreasing availability of dissolved
oxygen in the water column, unwelcome news for a summer-stressed trout and
salmon fishery in the lake. This period of minimal habitat available for coldwater
aquatic species is seen when good habitat is graphed over time, showing the annual
changes, which occur in the lake. The graph below depicts the seasonal changes in habitat availability for
salmonids, an important fisheries component in Lake Almanor, showing the impact of the late summer constriction in
terms of habitat reduction.
Salmonid Habitat
500%
450%
"Good" Samples
400%
350%
2010
300%
2009
250%
2004
200%
2003
2002
150%
100%
50%
0%
April
July
September
October
Month
Beyond simply finding that there is less water both sufficiently cold and with ample
dissolved oxygen to meet the needs of trout and salmon in the lake, it was also found
that high temperatures are increasingly the cause of this limitation.
Parameter of Concern
120
Responsibility (%)
100
80
Temp
DO
60
40
20
19
82
19
85
19
86
19
87
19
89
19
90
19
91
19
92
19
93
19
94
19
95
19
96
19
97
19
98
19
99
20
00
20
01
20
02
20
03
20
04
20
09
20
10
0
Y ear
4 At left this graph
illustrates the growing
role warm temperatures
are playing in the annual
struggle for survival by
Lake Almanor’s trophy
coldwater fishery. The
expanding impact of
temperature on the lake’s
ecology is represented by
the increased proportion
of the columns painted
red.
When temperature and dissolved oxygen are examined together, the results of these
changes and their potential impacts on the lake’s coldwater fishery become clearer.
There has been a gradual decline in the amount of good habitat and an accompanying
increase in the amount of fair habitat since the early 1980s.
To integrate these two
parameters,
“Good”
salmonid waters were
considered to be those
with greater than 6.5
ppm dissolved oxygen
and a temperature of
less than 20 ° C.
“Fair” conditions were
waters in which only
one of these conditions
was unmet and waters
which met neither
condition were labeled
“Poor.”
Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Nutrient data was reviewed and trends identified for total phosphorous and dissolved
ammonia as these nutrient species had the most consistent records to work with.
Total phosphorus has trended gradually upwards for roughly the past 30 years.
Yearly Average of Total Phosphorus
0.07
0.06
mg/L
0.05
0.04
Total P
0.03
0.02
0.01
0
1973 1976 1977 1981 1982 1990 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
This graph demonstrates the increase in phosphorus found in the lake between 1973 and 2009. Phosphorus is a
concern due to its potential role in fostering toxic cyanobacteria blooms.
Dunne and Leopold (1978) suggest that long-term eutrophication of water bodies
should be avoided when total phosphorus remains below 0.5 mg/L – although the
EPA water quality criteria state that total phosphorus should not exceed 0.025 mg/L
in lakes and goes on to find that waters with total phosphorus of 0.03 mg/L or less
are unlikely to support problematic algal blooms. In Lake Almanor, yearly total
phosphorus averages have generally remained at or above the EPA proposed
threshold since the mid-1990s. Phosphorus may enter the lake from a variety of
sources. While the Almanor Basin remains in a state of a limited development and has
retained much of its forest cover, subtle changes in the landscape may increase
phosphorus inputs to the lake.
Interestingly, when the average yearly dissolved ammonia levels are calculated, the
trend that appears is essentially the inverse of what is seen in total phosphorus over
the same period. While dissolved ammonia levels were quite high during the 1990s,
reaching a height of 0.67 mg/L (yearly average) in 1993, they have fallen to levels of
around 0.1 mg/L since the beginning of the 2000s (graphed below).
Yearly Average of Dissolved Ammonia
0.8
0.7
0.6
mg/L
0.5
NH3 average
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
1990 1993 1994 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Year
While some trends in nutrient levels in Lake Almanor have been identified here,
nutrients were one of the more irregularly monitored data points over the period of
record compiled. In order to learn more about the lake’s water quality, how it is
changing, and what management actions should be taken in the future, it is imperative
that additional knowledge be gained on the nutrients available in the lake.
Bacteria
Plumas County Department of Environmental Health has been monitoring bacteria
levels at popular beaches along the shores of Lake Almanor for the past several years
around the Fourth of July weekend. The data from these monitoring events show that
total coliform concentrations have generally increased over this period. In contrast,
concentrations of E. coli at three sites (LA-12, LA-13, LA-16) have shown significant
decreases. Both total coliform and E. coli concentrations are well below the
Freshwater Recreation Standards as provided by the California Department of Health
(DPH). Current levels suggest no immediate health concerns.
During 2009 and 2010, sampling was conducted to investigate the levels of
cyanobacteria in the lake. Higher numbers of phytoplankton were found in 2010, but
this may have been simply a reflection of increased runoff and stream flow due to
high precipitation levels.
Review of Minor Elements
A review of the concentrations of ten important minor elements in Lake Almanor was
conducted using historical data (1986-1999, 2007). Overall, there was little or no cause
for concern seen among any of the elements reviewed. Average concentrations for
each element were calculated and found to be below identified water quality
standards. Elements reviewed were: Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Iron,
Mercury, Manganese, Lead, Selenium, and Zinc. More detailed information can be
found in Appendix A.
Section Three:
F
Recommendations for Future Monitoring
uture water quality monitoring
in Lake Almanor should be
conducted to identify longterm trends by tracking several key
water quality parameters.
By using a select group of parameters,
future monitoring can build on existing
datasets to provide the necessary
background data for drawing
conclusions regarding changes in lake
health. It is important that we continue to monitor the lake’s water quality and
incorporate the knowledge that is obtained into decision-making processes in
order to ensure that Lake Almanor is a great place for people to live and
vacation in future generations, just as it is today.
The following parameters should be monitored in the future as they have biological
significance and indicate changes in water quality in the lake: temperature; phosphorus
and nitrogen; Secchi depth; and phytoplankton.
- Temperature and dissolved oxygen were selected primarily for their importance
as indicators of the lake’s ability to sustain a salmonid fishery, which is
important for the local economy, and for their ability to indicate impacts from
a changing climate.
- Phosphorus and nitrogen should be monitored to assess whether changes
surrounding the lake are increasing its nutrient content and stimulating
cyanobacteria outbreaks.
- Secchi Depth measures the lake’s water clarity, a factor often closely correlated
with eutrophication and cyanobacteria issues.
- Phytoplankton is the only biological parameter recommended for monitoring
and should provide a strong basis for summarizing the impacts of changes in
the physical and chemical parameters. Specifically, phytoplankton monitoring
will provide data regarding lake mixing processes and cyanobacteria blooms.
In addition to focusing consistently on this set of six parameters in the future, it is
recommended that the number of sampling locations be consolidated to permit a
more frequent sampling regime that will help depict the changes in the lake with
greater temporal focus. This recommendation is based on the fact that historical data
has not shown major differences between stations. This report recommends
monitoring at two locations, (LA-03 and LA-04). With a finer chronologic resolution
and consistent monitoring of key parameters, monitoring efforts will be better
equipped to identify changes in the lake over time. Recognizing that variation in
development levels and potential impacts may occur between the lobes because of the
lake’s shape, the decision to include one sampling location in each lobe will enable the
water quality monitoring program to provide a representative picture of the lake as a
whole, while focusing on identifying changes over time.
The map below illustrates the locations of future sampling sites labeled “LA-02” and “LA-03”.
Literature Review
1. Assessment of Biological Indicators of Lake Health in Waikato Shallow Lakes – a
Pilot Study 2006/2007. Prepared by Keri Neilson, Kevin Collier and Mark Hamer.
Environment Waikato. 2008.
2. A Trophic State Index for Lakes. 1977. Robert E. Carlson. Limnology and
Oceanography. 22 361-369.
3. Nutrient and other environmental controls of harmful cyanobacterial blooms
along the freshwater-marine continuum. Hans Paerl. University of North Carolina
-Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Sciences.
4. Kelsey, R.H. and S.L. Powell. 2011. Deep Creek Lake Baseline Assessment Report.
5. Lake Monitoring Field Manual. Meredith Becker Nevers and Richard L. Whitman.
USGS Lake Michigan Ecological Research Station.
6. Prattville Intake Modification and Potential Impacts to Lake Almanor Fishery
Study. Interim report. 2004. Prepared by: Tom Gast, Thomas R. Payne and
Associates.
7. Influence of nitrogen to phosphorus supply ratios and physicochemical conditions
on cyanobacteria and phytoplankton species composition in the Experimental
Lakes Area, Canada. SN Levine and DW Schindler. 1998.
8. Sacramento River Basin Report Card: Feather River Watershed: April 2010.
Sacramento River Watershed Program.
9. Water Quality Control Plan (Basin Plan) for the Sacramento River and San Joaquin
River Basins. http://www.swrcb.ca.gov/rwqcb5/water_issues/basin_plans/
10. Summer heatwaves promote blooms of harmful cyanobacteria. Klaus D. Johnk,
Jef Huisman, Jonathan Sharples, Bem Sommeijer, Petra M. Visser and Jasper M.
Strooms. Global Change Biology. 2008. 14, 495- 512.
11. Analysis of Water Quality in Lake Erie using GIS Methods. Mark Hover, Ohio
State University. Thesis. 1997
12. The Mekong River Report Card on Water Quality. Volume 2: June 2010.
Assessment of Potential Human Impacts on Mekong River Water Quality.
Mekong River Commission.
13. Watershed Report Card. Essex Region Conservation Authority. 2006.
14. http://www.erca.org/downloads/watershed_report_card06.pdf
15. Increased nutrient loading and rapid changes in phytoplankton expected with
climate change in stratified South European lakes: sensitivity of lakes with different
trophic state and catchment properties. Nauges, P., Nauges, T., Ghiani, M., Sena,
F., Fresner, R., Friedl, M., Mildner, J. Hydrobiologia. Springer Netherlands. 667,
255-270
10 Appendix A – Minor Elements Review
Period of Record: 1986-1999, 2007
Arsenic: The EPA standard for beneficial use impairment limit is .01 mg/L. The California
Toxics rule established a standard of 0.150 mg/L (4-day average) for protection of aquatic
life. Samples showed the average arsenic level to be approximately 0.002 mg/L and the range
was <0.001 to 0.006 mg/L.
Cadmium: All samples for cadmium were below the detection limit at either <0.005 or
<0.001 mg/L.
Chromium: Data ranges from 0.006 to <0.010 mg/L. Chronic exposure water quality limits
are dependent on hardness but listed as 0.011 mg/L based on a hardness level of 100 mg/L.
Copper: Samples ranged from less than 0.005 to 0.02 mg/L. While the necessary parameters
to calculate the BLM-based copper criterion for Lake Almanor are lacking, the levels are low,
below the requirement to meet drinking water standards – 1.3 mg/L.
Iron: Total iron levels ranged from as low as 0.006 mg/L to as high as 5.2 mg/L with an
average of 0.31 mg/L. The EPA guidelines for ambient water quality state that levels less
than 1.0 mg/L should avoid negative effects of iron on aquatic life. This was exceeded 35
times out of nearly 480 samples taken from 1986 through 1999 and 1 time out of 36 samples
in 2007.
Mercury: Range of 0.000002 mg/L to 0.00416 mg/L with an average concentration of
0.00013 mg/L. This is well below the standard of 0.77 mg/L for chronic exposure.
Manganese: Range from 0.005 to 2.10 mg/L with an average of 0.110 mg/L from 19861999. There is not an ambient water quality standard for this pollutant. The standard for
human health protection for consuming organisms from waters is 1.0 mg/L. The highest
concentration found during 2004 sampling was 0.65 mg/L.
Lead: Water samples during the period of record showed concentrations which range from
<0.00004 to <0.005 mg/L. The chronic exposure standard for protection of aquatic life is
0.0025 mg/L for lead.
Selenium: Range from 0.001 to 0.005 mg/L with an average of 0.002 mg/L from 19861999. Both the average concentration and the range fall below the national recommended
water quality criterion for selenium of 0.005 mg/L. Selenium concentrations did not exceed
0.0002 mg/L during 2004 testing.
Zinc: With an average concentration of 0.029 mg/L and a range of <0.005 mg/L to 0.11
mg/L. The majority of samples (all but 3) were 0.01 mg/L or less – well below the EPA
water quality criterion of 0.120 mg/L.

2011 Lake Almanor Review - Upper Feather River Watershed

Transcription

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