42

Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 19501 OTTO W. TIEMEIEW State College, Manhattan The Kanopolis Dam and Reservoir was constructed under the direc- tion of the Kansas Office of the Corps of Engineers in Ellsworth County Kansas approximately 35 miles southwest of Salina. The primary function of the project is to control flood waters on the Smoky Hill and Kansas Rivers. The conservation pool level (normal water level) of 1459 feet above sea level was first attained in 1948 when there was impounded a lake of 3,550 surface acres constituting 50,000 acre-feet of water. The total reservoir capacity is 450,000 acre-feet of water when there will be a lake of 13,900 surface acres. This level is expected to be reached only in the event of the anticipated peak flood which would occur about every 100 years. An investigation at Kanopolis Reservoir was inaugurated through the cooperation of and by a grant from the U. S. Corps of Engineers and the Department of Zoology at Kansas State College. It was considered important to determine the effects that large artificial impoundments have on the environment of the plants and animals inhabiting the area. A great increase in the number of impoundments in the past few years and an anticipated greater increase in the future makes it essential that information be obtained pertaining to this problem. Studies were begun June 15 and the last observations were made on August 31 with the assistance of Bob T. Chapin. The immediate problems were resolved into the following four phases: I. Study of factors causing turbidity II. Mapping of vegetational types and their development III. Studies on aquatic vegetation present and its changes IV. Plankton and related studies. It was never anticipated that final and conclusive results could be obtained in a few short months of one year. Ecological problems must be studied for years before trends can be ascertained. In the early stages of biological succession nothing is more constant than constant change. Under a certain set of conditions we may anticipate that certain

Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science, Vol. 54, No. 2, 1951. Contribution No. 277 Department of Zoology, Kansas State College. Special acknowledgements are made to Mr. Donald Poole, Biologist for Corps of Engineers and Dr. D. J. Ameel of Kansas State College for their interest in initiating the project; to Dr. F. C. Gates of the Botany Department for verification of plant identifications; and to Mr. Addington and Mr. Kroutil at the Reservoir for their cooperation and freely given assistance. [175] 176 The Kansas Academy of Science biological results will be obtained but reservoirs constructed for flood control are continually changing. They are constructed to store a large volume of water during periods of heavy rainfall and as dangers of flooding are lessened, the water is released and the land that was covered with water is again exposed. If these barren areas are situated on a gentle slope, large mud flats will result which when dried may be the origin for great clouds of dust that rise and obscure the landscape. Within a few days several feet of water may again cover the soil and wave action will cause suspension of the fine soil particles and result in muddy water. The effect of the changes is even more pronounced on plant and animal life. There are no plants which grow vigorously in over 30 feet of water at one period of the year and in moist soil at another, particularly if the marsh plants are inundated for 10 or 12 weeks. Both extremes occurred at Kanopolis Reservoir within a period of 9 weeks in the summer of 1950.

I. Study of Factors Causing Turbidity Turbidity of any marked degree (transparency less than 9 inches) has an adverse effect upon aquatic plant life. The reduced light penetration retards photosyntheses, Low and Bellrose ('44) and may in some cases inhibit gaseous exchange. McAtee ('39) states, "Turbidity from what- ever cause is unfavorable to plant life and in direct proportion to its density." There are several inter-related causes of turbidity. When aquatic and marsh vegetation is growing in water the bottom soil is held by their root systems. The suspended soil particles are settled out by the leaves, and the action of waves is reduced by the barrier-effect of the entire plant. However, when vegetation is absent and the water becomes charged with soil particles, light cannot penetrate to a depth sufficient to produce enough solar energy for plant life. Plant succession may eventually solve this turbidity problem in a stable lake, by slowly invading the water with plants until the transparency is increased. Subsequently plant invasion may gain momentum until the entire shore line is invaded and a semi-stable ecological condition results. Perhaps the most important cause of turbidity in Kanopolis Reservoir is the paucity of any type of vegetation on the mud flats. This, however, is not the only cause for the water being muddy. The feeding activities of fish, as carp and other rough fish, destroy seeds and injure young plants. These fish, by rooting, cause the small soil particles to become suspended in the water and prevent restoration of aquatic growths or destroy those that have been established. Contents of the digestive tracts of 11 Cyprinus carpio caught after a rise of 24 feet in the reservoir level were as follows: vegetation 95% identified as Poly- Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 1950 177 gonum and Setaria and numerous unidentified sprouted and dormant seeds. The remaining material of animal origin consisted of various coleopterous forms and several crustacean plankters. Flood control is the principal purpose of this reservoir which pre- determines one important fact—greatly fluctuating water level—as much as 23 feet above conservation pool level in 3 weeks. Under these adverse conditions plant life is greatly reduced and turbidity increased. During the course of this investigation the areas observed were covered by 12 feet of water in five days with an extreme inundation of 32 feet. This flooding existed sufficiently long to eliminate all terrestrial and nearly all moist soil vegetation. After the lake recedes to normal and until vegetation is reestablished, all runoff water pouring into the lake will have little to check its gullying action and turbidity will be greatly increased. The most constant of the known turbidity-factors is drainage of the upland areas by the feeder streams. This is a continual source of siltation and turbidity which was not studied in this investigation. In spite of all the factors causing turbidity Kanopolis is potentially a clear lake. Readings taken at the plankton stations with a 10-centimeter Secchi disc on August 11, when the water level had risen 24 feet, ranged from 33 inches about 100 yards off the north end of the dam to 13 inches at the most turbid station. The low reading at the latter was due in part to the high phyto- plankton count of 6,760,000 per liter of water. The primary answer to the solution of the turbidity-problem lies in establishing a satisfactory soil-plant relationship. Natural plant succession might in time take care of this problem but while this was being deter- mined the cost in adverse public opinion would be great. Siltation would be heavy and the fish harvest smaller. If at the end of 20 years this problem did not resolve itself, then those years would have been wasted waiting for a solution that never came. II. Mapping of Vegetational Types and Their Development Studies on existing aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation were essential to determine the rate of ecological succession, if any. The mud-flat area around the lake is in its third year and must be considered an early stage. Little information is available on plant succession in large lakes with extreme fluctuating water levels, and no information about succession in large lakes in western Kansas. Only by recording changes over a period of years can we hope to understand the inter-relationships between these plants and their environment. For that reason the results of this particular phase of study will increase in value with the succeeding years. Mapping was done from the water's edge, contour 1459 to contour 1470. These contours enclose the area of vegetation that will be affected 178 The Kansas Academy of Science most often by changing water levels. A similar map constructed next year will probably show a much different pattern. Species that produce seed late were killed before the seeds were mature. By July 16 the water level had risen to 1463 feet (4 feet) and completely covered most of the Polygonum, one of the tallest seed producers present. Twenty days later on August 6 the lake level was 22 feet above normal and finally on August 19 reached a crest of 32 feet above conservation pool. The lake at its peak had a plant border consisting mostly of various species of the Poaceae and several species of the Cyperaceae. Most of the vegetation formerly at conservation pool level was killed as a result of the continued inundation. Plant occurrence next year will be dependent mainly upon seeds that were in the soil and those that will be carried in by wind and wildlife. It is certain that some major changes will take place after recession. Therefore, the plant acreage may vary considerably and even the predominant smart- weed might be superceded by other plants. McGregor ('48) and McGregor and Voile ('50) in studies of exposed lake beds in eastern Kansas noted that the smartweed, Polygonum, and the pigweed, Amaranthus, were the dominant plant genera that invaded after the lakes had been drained. Smartweeds were most abundant, Table 1, on the mud flats at Kanopolis, but other common plants were sunflower, Helianthus; cocklebur, Xanthium; daisy fleabane, Erigeron; and lamb's-quarters, Cheno podium.

Table 1. A List of the Five Most Predominant Plants on the Mud Flats and Shore Genera Extent Polygonum ------310 acres Helianthus and Xanthium ------199 acres Erigeron ------110 acres Cheno podium ------88 acres

Almost complete absence of submergent vegetation was apparent in the lake proper at the time it was possible to make these studies. Observa- tions were made while walking along the shore in shallow water and by using a plant hook from the boat in deeper water. It is not known whether submergents will come into this reservoir where the water level fluctuates greatly. Possibly there has not been sufficient time for them to become established. It is anticipated that if the reservoir-level did not exceed the expected annual high level the submergents will become more common. In lakes with fairly stable water level these plants quickly assist in holding the bottom soil. Trial plantings of Potomogeton made in several portions of the lake have been unsuccessful. More observations on this important type of plant would be significant. Some submergents present near the main reservoir were: Potomo- Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 1950 179 geton found in large amounts in the children's pool; Najas appeared in Sand Creek (below the dam); and scattered plants of Ceratophyllum were found in Sand Creek. An emergent found in close association with the above submergents was Jussiaea diffusa. Extensive beds of this soil-binding plant were found in Sand Creek. In Table 4 is presented a list of the most common water tolerant plants observed around the lake shore proper and in Table 3 those water tolerant plants found within a 5-mile radius of the lake. Table 2. List of Water Tolerant Plants Observed at Kanopolis Lake Plants Observed Common Name Cyperus strigosus ------Nutgrass Echinochloa crusgalli ------Wild millet Echinochloa frumentacea ------Japanese millet Echinochloa walteri ------Walters millet Eleocharis sp. Spike rush Juncus acuminatus ------Rush Juncus torreyi ------Rush Juntas interior ------Rush Polygonum lapathifolium ------Nodding smartweed Polygonum pennsylvanicum ------Large seeded smartweed Polygonum omissam ------Smartweed Populus sp. Cottonwood Salix sp. Willow Scirpus pailidus ------Bulrush Scirpus americans, ------Three-square rush Scirpus validus ------Bulrush Scirpus lineatus ------Bulrush Typha angustifolia ------Narrowleaf cattail Typha latifolia ------Common cattail Leersia oryzoides ------Rice cutgrass Panicum virginatus ------Switchgrass

Table 3. List of Water Tolerant Plants Observed in Vicinity of Kanop- olis Lake Plants Observed Common Name Carex vulpinoidea ------Sedge Cyperus erythrorhizos ------Nutgrass Elymus virginicus ------Wild rye Hemicarpa micrantha ------Bulrush Juncus balticus ------Rush Juncus canadensis ------Rush Jussiaea diffusa ------Willow primrose Lemna sp. Duckeed Na/as sp. Naias Potomogeton sp. Pondweed Sagittarta latifolia ------Arrowhead Surpus heterochaettes ------Bulrush III. Studies on Aquatic Vegetation and Its Changes The mud flats are land areas with very gentle slope partially or entirely exposed during the conservation pool level of 1459 feet and covered when this level is exceeded by a rise of several feet. There are two distinct problems involving mud flats. The first is brought about by low water and the second by slightly higher water. In the case of low water the entire mud flat may be exposed. When this happens the sun dries the mud quickly to hard cracked cake and the wind churns it into a miniature dust bowl of from 30 to 1,000 acres in extent. The opposite 180 The Kansas Academy of Science

Table 4. Summary of Plankton and Related Studies 1.1 . 1.1 0 ."-', 0 - - . -, - . ',. 5, xc, a,,,-c 2-c ..,?,,.-0 - „, ,„ ..0 1 ,,s _ 4 ,,, ..., v., A boo a o 41 z 2 Ll'e 1

t •2: j- va. e 01 '5 • -.4, a., `O Phytoplankton per liter Phytoplankton High and Low per Liter Average 1 7.4 to 7.7 7.4 to 7.5 26 over 43 22 to 26 24 23.5 to 24 29 560,000 140,539 5,000 1,578 Av. over 34 1,768 193 2 7.4 to 7.5 7.4 to 7.5 32 over 43 22 to 25.5 24 22 to 24 27 to 33 870,000 26,208 9,000 2,652 Av. over 39 4,983 432 3 7.5 to 7.6 7.5 10 to 24 23.5 to 25.5 23.5 to 24.5 24 to 26 23 to 27 416,160 127,410 3,000 1,538 Av. 17 10,984 780 4 7.5 to 7.6 7.5 to 7.6 20 to 38 22 to 27.5 23 to 26 23 to 24.5 18 to 20 318,800 104,697 9,000 3,483 Av. 32 22,950 270 5 7.5 to 7.7 7.5 8 to 34 24.5 to 28 23 to 26 24 to 25.5 15 to 17 9,360,000 2,080,254 8,788 3,973 7,280 550 6 7.4 to 7.7 7.4 to 7.5 13 to 41 28 to 29 25.5 to 26 24.5 to 25 13 to 15 6,760,000 1,560,158 51 :210015 3,850 Av. 25 26,026 7 7.5 to 7.6 7.5 to 7.6 13 to 20 26 to 28 24 to 26 24 to 25 17 4,550,000 1,021,710 6:02750 3,572 Av. 15 38,925 2,078 8 7.5 to 7.6 7.4 to 7.5 23 over 40 26 to 28 24 to 26 24 24 to 30 219,972 89,267 3,984 1,768 Av. over 35 17,000 217 9 7.5 to 7.7 7.5 to 7.7 7 to 30 24.5 to 29.5 24 to 26 25 25 to 31 189,000 89,148 3,000 1,223 12,975 93 10 7.6 7.5 to 7.6 17 to 45 23 to 29.5 23.5 to 25 24.5 22 to 33 390,000 99,220 1,163 955 Av. 27 8,660 93

condition exists with a slight rise in the water level. In this instance water becomes the vehicle and the mud is churned into fine particles by wave action. Thus soil particles rise into suspension and the water becomes turbid. Because of the resulting decreased transparency, light penetration is lowered, heat absorption increased, oxygen content decreased, plant growth is stopped and a general undesirable situation dominates the aquatic life. The mud flats extend from the west point of Spillway Bay, across Buzzards Bay and Bluff Creek to a point near the Boldt Bluff cabin-site area. In the Bluff Creek section, Fig. 1, a slope of about 300 to 1 exists in the shallower parts and consists of about 1,000 acres. This extends from the normal level of 1459 to the 1451 contour. Before high water in July the shoreline and part of the water area had a good covering of smartweed. At conservation pool the Bluff Creek area was the largest and most typical section of mud flat. The total Bluff Creek area is about 320 acres, of which 200 acres could be considered as perpetual mud flats. At conservation pool about 80 acres of this is under from 1-10 feet of water, of which 30 acres was in Polygonum in July. The Polygonum consisted of a band about 150 yards wide completely across the entrance of Bluff Creek. Back of this smartweed band was a profuse growth of lamb's-quarters (Chenopodium) and a mixture of daisy fleabane (Erigeron.) A summary of reservoir levels indicates that the average spring and Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 1950 181

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Fig. 1. Map of Kanopolis Reservoir area showing the location of the 10 plankton stations. (Courtesy of Corps of Engineers). 182 The Kansas Academy of Science early summer height is only one and one-half feet above conservation pool. This would be rather ideal for many aquatic and semi-aquatic plants during the period of planting and early growth. The long periods of complete inundation in July and August have been the controlling factors for plant life the past several years. However, it is evident that the lesser of the two evils of high water in May and June, or the maximum levels later in the summer, would be the latter. At least many of the plants have an opportunity to become established and help to control wave action before they are covered completely. Terrestrial plants below 1470 were of two general types; those fairly tolerant of water and those intolerant. The first group such as sunflower and cocklebur survived partial inundation for as long as 4 weeks and perhaps longer in the latter part of the growing season. Those of the second group which consisted primarily of lamb's-quarters were dead after a week of partial inundation in as little as 3 inches of water. IV. Plankton and Related Studies The fourth aim of the project was to study the plankton forms in the lake. These studies were incorporated with other investigations that were made on the body of water. Included among these were hydrogen-ion determinations of the surface and bottom water; the depth at which the sample was taken; the temperature of the air, surface and bottom water; as well as determinations of turbidity with the Secchi disc. Ten stations were established at which all these observations were made. It was felt that studies made at these stations would give a repre- sentative cross-section of the various habitats of the lake. All observations subsequent to the first were made in as nearly the same area as it was possible to do so after the level of the lake had risen. The stations are indicated in Fig. 1. pH Studies Investigations on the hydrogen-ion concentration were made with a Hellige Pocket Comparator using Bromthymol Blue-D solution. Surface water samples were taken within a few inches of the surface and samples from the bottom were taken with a bottom sampling bottle. Little range difference (7.4 to 7.7) was noted in the samples taken from either the surface or bottom but upon consulting Table 4 it is noted that the reservoir water is slightly more alkaline as it comes into the lake. The slight alka- linity that was found is well within the limit of most plant and animal life likely to be found in any impoundment in this region. Water Transparency The reservoir level had risen 24 feet before the first readings were Made with the 10-centimeter Secchi disc. At that time the least trans- Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 1950 183 parency of 13 inches, Table 4, was found at Station No. 5 in Alum Bay. At the same time, August 11, the greatest transparency was 29 inches at Station No. 1 just off the tower. Along the areas of plowed soil at Wester- man Hill Secchi disc readings were as low as 5 inches. The portion of turbidity caused by carp could not be determined but it was noted that numerous carp were feeding there because they jumped across the wake of the motor boat. Considerable improvement in transparency was appar- ent at the stations between August 11 and August 28. At the earlier date when the lake was rising the average transparency for the ten stations was 21.3 inches and 17 days later after the reservoir level had begun to fall the average was 25.2 inches.

Water Temperature Water temperatures were taken 12 to 18 inches below the surface and bottom temperatures were obtained from the water sampling bottle (Table 4). It becomes apparent that there is only little variation between the two locations with the surface being only slightly warmer and that the water is warmer at the shallower Stations 3, 7 and 9. A thermocline was not apparent at any time that the investigations were in progress. The lack of deep water and the stirring action of the winds prevented stratification. It is hoped that the information obtained can be used as a guide when future fish transplantations are being con- sidered. Those species of fish that cannot tolerate temperatures of 24 to 28 degrees centigrade should not be placed in Kanopolis Reservoir.

Phytoplankton Five plankton samples were taken at each station, the first on July 10 and the fifth on August 28. The size of the sample varied from five to 150 liters depending upon the number of plankters present. The high, low and average phytoplankton counts are presented in Table 4. The highest average of 2,080,254 was obtained at Station No. 5 in Red Rock Cove and the least at Station No. 2 off the north end of the dam. In Fig. 2 is presented comparison of the average phytoplankton count of the 10 stations charted against time and water level. On July 10 when the water level was 1461 feet the count was 256,766 per liter; on July 17 when the level was 1464 the dilution had apparently caused a drop to 23,884 per liter; on July 28 when the level was 1474 feet the count had begun to increase to 47,937; the peak was reached near the 11 of August when the level was 1483 and the count was 2,174,133 per liter; by the 28 of August when the level was 1489 the count had fallen to 284,575. The high count was probably later in the summer of 1950 than in normal 184 The Kansas Academy of Science

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20 1461 14 18 22 26 30 3 7 I I 15 19 23 27 JULY AUGUST TIME Fig. 2. Phytoplankton counts compared with the water level of the lake and the time samples were taken. years because of the high water level in late July and August and also because of the low temperatures. The most common blue-green algae were Amphanizomenom, Spiru- lina, Anabaena and Phormidium. The most prevalent green algae were Micros pora, Spirogyra and Ophiocytium. Not enough diatoms or desmids were found to make a count.

Zooplankton The remainder of the plankton consisted of animal forms. These were divided into three groups: protozoans, rotifers and micro-crustaceans. About 56% were micro-crustaceans, 42% protozoans and 2% rotifers. samples weretaken. The mostcommonprotozoanwas camptus Anuraea, level ispresentedinFig3.Thezooplanktersaveragecount oftenstations the similargraphsofphyto-andzooplanktonshows aconsiderable 1,507 onAugust11;andahighof4,17528.A comparisonof numbered 3,257perliteronJuly10;1,66617;1,699 onJuly28; lag ofthezooplankterhighbehindthatphytoplankters. covered muchoftheshore areawith32feetofwater.Theplantlife was submergedforatleast8 weeks andfewrootedplantsremainedalive. There Fig. 3.Zooplanktoncountscomparedwiththewaterleveloflakeandtime The reservoirlevelreached a25-yearhighthispastsummer,and A comparisonofthezooplanktoncountagainsttimeand thewater isurgentneedforplantingsnext springeventhoughtheseplantings ZooplanktonCount in Thousands 20 40 in order. 30 25 45 35 1 and thecrustaceans 5

14 Studies onKanopolisReservoirin1950

18 Recommendations forImprovement 22263037 JULY Planting Recommendations Daphnia, Bosmina,Diaptomus TIME Ceratium, AUGUST 11

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185 186 The Kansas Academy of Science may be temporary. Some protection must be given to the extensive area that was flooded. Selection of several plant species were made which should when planted under suitable conditions, give satisfactory results. Many plant- ings elsewhere have failed because conditions were not suitable for their survival or species had been planted that were not indigenous to the region. Echinochloa crusgalli; Polygonum lapathifolium and P. pennsyl- vanicum; and Leersia oryzoides have been found growing vigorously in this area or at or are known to be distributed in this section of the state. Echinochloa crusgalli: Wild millet is an annual that will reseed itself and in this respect differs from and is preferred to E. frumentacea or Japanese millet whose seeds are winter killed. The root system of E crus- galli is extensive, with the fibrous portions well adapted to hold the soil. This species was observed growing naturally along the shore of the reser- voir and was apparently well adapted to most soil types found in this area. Seed production is usually high and thus reseeding would be assured. It ranks as one of the top seed producing plants (of waterfowl food.) Bell- rose and Anderson ('43) found it fifth in order of preference among the duck plant foods. Seeds mature from August to October. Seeds should be obtained from plants growing in this area whenever possible. Polygonum lapathifolium and P. pennsylvanicum: nodding smart- weed and largeseed smartweed are among the most versatile of moist soil plants. P. lapathifolium grows to a height of 6 feet on moist soil and may root at the lower 2 or 3 nodes. When found growing in water it may root at all nodes submerged either floating as a mat or rooting on the bottom with only the terminal leaves exposed. The lanceolate leaves enable it to withstand much wave buffeting. Both of these species of Polygonum are found nearly throughout Kansas, (Gates '32). Extensive stands have been found both around the reservoir and at Cheyenne Bottoms. Both are heavy seed producers according to Low and Bellrose ('44), and according to Bellrose ('41) rank high as duck food plants. Another Polygonum, probably P. coccineum, had a main stem 16 feet long and was found growing in 15 feet of water in the reservoir. Later greatly heightened water levels completely submerged these plants. Leersia oryzoides: rice cutgrass is distributed throughout Kansas according to Gates ('36) and nearly throughout the accord- ing to Fassett ('36). It grows in colonies, is a perennial, and has slender creeping rhizomes which enable it to bind the soil. Extensive growths are found along swamps and river banks. Seeds mature from August to Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 1950 187

October. Low and Bellrose ('44) rate rice cutgrass as first in value as a duck food plant and 13th in seed production. The use of pelleted seeds should be considered in the planting program but this would be dependent upon the extent of the program. Seeding of Japanese millet this past spring with a drill was considered successful. If and when plantings are made it should be remembered that a survival of 50 per cent is considered successful. Greater survival would be expected if the water level could be stabilized but this is certainly one factor that cannot be controlled. In fact, altering the water level is one of the recommended measures used for controlling undesirable marsh plants. Removal of Carp It is recommended that commercial fishing be initiated in Kanopolis Reservoir in order to facilitate the removal of carp. Carp, Cyprinus carpio, have been observed in considerable numbers in nearly all regions of the lake. Schools have been observed in numbers varying from 12 TO 50 and from the few studies made most carp were 13 to 14 inches in length and averaged about one and one-half pounds. By the summer of 1951 these fish should be considerably larger. The growth up to this time has been rapid and the palatability of the flesh is highest. With the present high price of meats and the expected high price in the future there should be no difficulty in disposing of the catch. A report on Grand Lake Oklahoma Game and Fish Department ('50) indicated a catch of 50 pounds of carp per acre. Kanopolis Reservoir should have at least 700 acres of water productive of carp, therefore, the removal of these fish should not be an added expense in management. An analysis of the digestive tracts of 11 carp indicated a preference for seeds and other vegetable matter. The rooting activities of carp to obtain this vegetable matter cause them to agitate the bottom silt and roil the water. Numerous carp have been observed feeding near the shore where it is desirable to maintain vegetation. It has been stated that 5 per cent of the solar energy available at the surface is necessary for plant growth. This amount is barely available at 15 feet in the clearest lakes. In turbid water 3 to 6 feet deep the sun is entirely screened out in most cases. Carp are an important factor in decreasing the transparency in Kanopolis Reservoir. A survey of Middle Harbor Lake, along Lake Erie, made by Anderson ('50) presented graphic information on the effects of carp activity on their habitat. In 1945 Middle Harbor was cut off from Lake Erie at 188 The Kansas Academy of Science the height of the fish spawning season and enclosed the entire breeding population. Three years later, in 1948, a cursory inspection of the same area showed a vast change. In quiet water a 10-centimeter Secchi disc disappeared at ten inches with a 15 m.p.h. breeze the disc was not visible at four inches. The lake bottom was dragged but only an occasional Potomogeton was found. An excessive carp population was apparent everywhere about the lake. In the fall of 1948 rotenone was used to remove the fish population. A third inspection was made during the 1949 growing season at which time it was possible to see the Secchi disc at the greatest depth of the lake or 50 inches. An important increase in the abundance of Chara, Potomo- geton and Vallisneria was noted. Another observation on carp activity reported by Weier and Starr ('50) is the reduced utilization by waterfowl of water areas where carp are abundant. They observed that in the same Middle Harbor the physical presence of the carp was disturbing to the waterfowl. The fish may have been attracted to the place where the birds came to rest and the presence of the fish caused the birds to move from place to place. The elimination of the carp improved the area as a refuge for waterfowl. As the carp are being removed from the reservoir special care should be taken to protect the vegetation on the mud flats. Seines dragged across these plants would quickly eliminate them.

Agricultural Land The third recommendation concerns the use of certain land areas between contour 1470 and the purchase line for growing clean tilled crops and small grains. By far the most turbid region of the lake was along the areas that were plowed and later flooded by the heightened water level. The 10-centimeter Secchi disappeared at five inches above these plowed areas at Westerman Hill. At the same time the above reading was taken, the center of the lake had a transparency of 33 inches and the least was 13 inches at Alum Bay. The Alum Bay transparency reading was low because flood waters were coming into the reservoir and there was an exceptionally luxuriant growth. If the land areas that are now being planted to grain crops are to be utilized for agricultural purposes in the future it is recommended that they be put to grass immediately. At present the cattle in some of the pastures adjacent to the reservoir have access to the water of the lake. This practice will soon destroy shore vegetation. Studies on Kanopolis Reservoir in 1950 189

Literature Cited ANDERSON, J. M. 1950. Vegetation changes following fish removal. Jour. Wildl. Mgt., 14:206-208. BELLROSE, FRANK C. JR. 1941. Duck food plants of the Illinois River Valley. Bull. Ill. Nat. Hist. Sur., 21:Art. 8, 237-280. BELLROSE, FRANK C. JR. and HARRY G. ANDERSON. 1943. Preferential rating of duck food plants., Bull. Ill. Nat. Hist. Sur., 22:Art. 5, 417-433. FASSETT, N. C. 1940. A manual of aquatic plants. McGraw-Hill Book Co. Inc. New York. 1.382. GATES, F. C. 1932. Wild flowers in Kansas. Kans. St. Board of Agr. 1-295. GATES, F. C. 1936. Grasses in Kansas. Kans. St. Board of Agr. 1-349. Low, JESSOP B. and FRANK C. BELLROSE JR. 1944. The seed and vegetation yield of waterfowl food plants in the Illinois River Valley. Jour. Wildl. Mgt. 8:7-22. MCATEE, W. L. 1939. Wildfowl food plants. Collegiate Press, Inc. Ames, Iowa. 1-141. MCGREGOR, R. L. 1948. First year invasion of plants on an exposed lake bed. Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci. 51: No. 3, 324-327. MCGREGOR, R. L. and L. D. VOLLE. 1950. First year invasion of plants on the exposed bed of Lake Fegan. Trans. Kans. Acad. Sci. 53:No. 3, 372-377. OKLAHOMA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT. 1950. Investigations of the fisheries resources of Grand Lake. Fish Mgt. Rep. 18, 1-46. WEIER, J. LERov, and DONALD F. STARR. 1950. The use of rotenone to remove rough fish for the purpose of improving migratory waterfowl refuge areas. Jour. Wildl. Mgt. 14:203-205.