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Lake Uwasso Task Force Summary of .Discussion with the Environmental Panel (12/18l96) Panel Member: Ed Musielewizc-Natural Resources Conservation Service Terry Noonan�Ramsey C;ounty Public Works Deparhnent Tom Peterson Ramszy C�unry Soil and Water Gonservatic�n. District Jc�el Schi.11in�t�Short, Ell�ot and Hendrickson, Cnc. I)a�e Zflppetillo-DNR Fisl�eries Weeds xnd algae: Aquatic vegetation is a problem in Lake Owasso, but less a problem than in many tocal lakes. About 24�31 % of the lake has sbundant p.lant �,rowth in summer. Aquadc plants provide tish. habitat, hut are a problem £or boaters an.d swim.tners. DNR trea,ts 28% of Lake Owasso's littoral zone with herhicides. tierbicides are appliecl f'rom May to Jul,y. '1'his is more that the 15% of'a lake's area allpwed tc� be treated but is allowed because of a grandfather clause. Aquaxic plants and al�ae requ�ire nuficnts f�r �;ro�c�vth. Nutrients can come from internal (lake) or external (watershed} sources. Ttte reiative importance of these saurces for the lake is not precisely k�►own, but internal sour.ces appear to be a significant source of nutrients to the lake. August algae blooms result from warm water and the release of natrients fr�m deeaying plants in the lake, Fish habitat: The lake is m. anaged by the IaNR for walleye and muskie, 'I'he lal:e is below the average, in terms of fish prciductivity, relaf.ive ta similaz lakes, Fish in the lake are generall� not impacted. by the lake's turbidity (suspended solids and algae}, except in the sJ>ri��g, at these ti�nes turbidity and boat traf�ic disturb spawning. F.nvironmental impaet of boAting: :Boatin� has the potential to scour bottom sediments , resu.�end bottorn sedimer�t�, and destroy near-shore rooted plants that protect shorelines from erosion These impacts are most si�;nificant in shallow water (less than six feet or so). Tlie patential impact of reducing the no-walce zone on l�lce qua.lity is unelear, although more tx�ats travelin� eloser to the shore in shallow arcas of'the lake, was considered to be a negaLive factor in tenns of the ecological health of the lake, How has the qu$It'ry of the lake chan�ed over time: The MPCA has su�;bested that t�e clariry of the lake has impraved, on an annual basis. This improvement is less clear �tatistically when data froni c�nly the summer months are examined. Weed harvesting, herbicide application, and boating seem to be signifcant in reducing the amount ofroated weeds in the lake, b�rt do not xmprove a.i�ae or turbidity pxublems in the lake. The turbidity of the lake i.s higher that in other si�nilar iakes. Internal arid extemal 1.oadinKs of.' nutrients and sedi�xt�nt are a significant problem. Excessive boating may result in fewer i•ooied aquatic plants, but in and increase in al�ae and in turbidity. Turbidity is also dependent on the depth and shape of tfie lake and on local wind conditions. The relafive contributions of these factors is difficult to qnantify. Excessive wave ackio.n, from winds er Uoa1s, are also responsible for shore�ine erosion and a pot.ential for an increase in. lake turbidity,