East Lake Waushacum Diagnostic Feasibility Study

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM DIAGNOSTIC / FEASIBILITY STUDY April 1980-March 1981

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering DIVISION of WATER POLLUTION CONTROL Thomas C. McMahoh, Director EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM DIAGNOSTIC/FEASIBILITY STUDY APRIL 1980 - MARCH 1981

Richard S. McVoy, Ph.D. Associate Environmentalist

and

Ute Dymon Senior Sanitary Engineering Aide

MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ENGINEERING DIVISION OF WATER POLLUTION CONTROL TECHNICAL SERVICES BRANCH WESTBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS

FEBRUARY 1984

Cover illustration by Barbara (Kalamon) Kimball

PUBLICATION: #OA,803-169-25-4-87-CR Approved by the State Purchasing Agent ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The Department of Environmental Quality Engineering, Division of Water Pollution Control, wishes to thank those whose efforts made this diagnostic/feasibility study possible. The following groups and individuals have been particularly helpful: George Minasian and the staff of the Lawrence Experiment Station who performed the analyses on the chemical and bacteriological samples from lake surveys. Helen Fifield, Robert Bauman, Charles Perry, Richard O'Toole, Walter Parks and other members of the East Lake Waushacum Association for developing and distributing the questionnaire and for providing valuable background information. The crews who did the field sampling and analyses, including J. Ackerman, M. Ackerman, J. Beskenis, C. Gosselin, 0. Morrison, B. Notini, A. Silbert, A.Varjabedian, D. Vigneau and G. Whittaker. TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 2 LIST OF TABLES 4 LIST OF FIGURES 6 INTRODUCTION 7 WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS 8 Physical Description 8 Development 20 LAKE CHARACTERISTICS 26 Physical Description 26. Lake Uses 30 PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES 34 LIMNOLOGICAL DATA 36 Methods 36 Results 43 Water Balance and Hydraulic Budget - 84 Nutrient Budget * 98 CONCLUSIONS 107 FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS 108 Introduction 108 Watershed Techniques 108 In-Lake Techniques 119 RECOMMENDED PLAN 121 Funding Sources 121 Environmental Evaluation 123 Project Schedule 125 Monitoring Program 125 REFERENCES 128 APPENDIX 1 - A NOTE ON LIMNOLOGY AND LAKE RESTORATION 135 APPENDIX 2 - CHLOROPHYLL a_ PROCEDURES 148 APPENDIX 3 - EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM QUESTIONNAIRE 150 APPENDIX 4 - HYDRAULIC BUDGET CALCULATIONS 154 APPENDIX 5 - NUTRIENT BUDGET CALCULATIONS 162 APPENDIX 6 - TROPHIC STATUS MODEL CALCULATIONS 167 LIST OF TABLES

NUMBER TITLE PAGE

1 SOIL TYPES 16 2 POPULATION GROWTH 21 3 STERLING VS. WATERSHED LAND USE BY COMPARISON 21 4 MORPHOMETRIC DATA 29 5 FISH STOCKING HISTORY 32 6 STATION SITE AND DISCHARGE METHOD DESCRIPTIONS 36 7 GROUNDWATER SAMPLING STATION DESCRIPTIONS 38 8 GROUNDWATER SEEPAGE RESULTS 41 9 SECCHI DISK READINGS 46 10 PERCENT SATURATION - STATION 1 47 11 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, TOTAL PHOSPHORUS (mg/1) 54 12 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, AMMONIA-NITROGEN (mg/1) 57 13 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, NITRATE-NITROGEN (mg/1) 59 14 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, ORGANIC-NITROGEN (mg/1) 61 15' RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, pH 64 16 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, TOTAL ALKALINITY (mg/1 66

as CaC03) 17 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE 68 Gumhos/cm) 18 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS, CHLORIDE (mg/1) 70 19 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, TOTAL HARDNESS (mg/1 72 as CaCOa) 20 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, SUSPENDED AND TOTAL 74 SOLIDS (mg/1) 21 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, IRON (mg/1) 76 22 RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES, MANGANESE (mg/1) 77 23 BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES (#/100 ml) 78 24 PHYTOPLANKTON (CELLS/ml) AND CHLOROPHYLL & (mg/m3) 81 ANALYSES 25 LIST OF PHYTOPLANKTERS 82 26 LIST OF BIRDS 85 LIST OF TABLES (CONTINUED)

NUMBER TITLE PAGE

27 ANNUAL HYDRAULIC YIELD (fi)3) FROM SUBUNITS, APRIL 1980 - 92 MARCH 1981 28 SEASONAL FIVE-DAY RAINFALL TOTALS FOR VARIOUS ANTECEDENT 93 MOISTURE CONDITION GROUPS 29 HYDRAULIC BUDGET, APRIL 1980 - MARCH 1981 97 30 NUTRIENT BUDGET SUMMARY 101 31 SUMMARY OF DILLON-RIGLER-KIRCHNER DETERMINATIONS 104 32 POSSIBLE PRESERVATION/RESTORATION TECHNIQUES 109 33 PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE 126 34 HYDROLOGIC GROUP/LAND USE AREAS BY TRIBUTARY SUBUNIT 155 35 HYDROLOGIC GROUP/LAND USE AREAS BY NONSTREAM SUBUNIT 156 36 . EXAMPLE OF WATER BALANCE DETERMINATION 157 37 . SUMMARY OF .WATER BALANCE BY SUBUNIT 158 38 WATER USE DETERMINATION BY SUBUNIT 159 39 VALUES OF DAILY PRECIPITATION (IN INCHES) AT WHICH OVERLAND 160 RUNOFF WILL BEGIN TO OCCUR FOR DIFFERENT CURVE NUMBERS 40 OUTLET STATION 7 OBSERVATIONS 161 41 PRECIPITATION NUTRIENT DETERMINATIONS 163 42 SEPTIC SYSTEM LONGEVITY DETERMINATIONS 164 43 NUTRIENT LOAD SUMMARY BY SUBUNIT 165 44 INTERNAL PHOSPHORUS LOADING DETERMINATIONS 166 45 DILLON-RIGLER-KIRCHNER DETERMINATIONS 168 LIST OF FIGURES

NUMBjR TITLE PAGE

1 WATERSHED LOCATION 9 3 BEDROCK GEOLOGY 11 3 SURFICIAL GEOLOGY 12 4 WATERSHED TOPOGRAPHY AND SUBUNIT LOCATION 13 5 SOILS BY SUBUNIT 15 6 LAND USE BY SUBUNIT 23 7 STATION 7 - OUTLET STRUCTURE 27 8 BATHYMETRIC MAP 28 9 PERIMETER MAP * 33 10 GROUNDWATER SEEPAGE COLLECTION SITES 37 11 DIAGRAM OF GROUNDWATER SEEPAGE METER 40 12 TEMPERATURE (°C) AND DISSOLVED OXYGEN (mg/1) - STATION 1 44 13 AQUATIC MACRORHYTES - JULY 22, 1980 83 14 GENERALIZED WATER BUDGET - APRIL 1980 - MARCH 1981 88 15 SIMPLE FLOW MODEL OF THE EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SYSTEM 90 16 LOAD RANGES INTO EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM 102 1? DILLON-RIGLER TROPHIC MODEL OF EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM 105 INTRODUCTION This report follows a one year water quality study done by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality Engineering, Division of Water Pollution Control on East Lake Waushacum in Sterling, Massachusetts. All data were collected from April 1980 through March 1981. The objectives of this study were to: 1. Collect data for a preservation/restoration program in fulfillment of Section 314 (Clean Lakes Program) of the 1977 Amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (PL 95-217); 2. estimate and characterize the lake's trophic level and limnology; 3. develop a basis for evaluating Take problems; 4. develop and evaluate new lake water quality sampling techniques; and - 5. satisfy the increased publ-ic demand for attention to lake problems. WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS Physical Description Size and Location The East Lake Waushacum surface watershed covers an area of 2.66 square kilometers (about 1.03 square miles), excluding the lake. The entire surface watershed lies in the southeastern quarter of the town of Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts (Figure 1). Climatology Sterling falls within the Central Massachusetts climatological division. This division has a humid, temperature climate characteristic of the North Temperate Zone. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (1978) the average annual temperature in the Central Massachusetts region is about 9.4°C (49°F). This average varies considerably depending on external environmental factors such as topography or vegetation cover. In Sterling, average monthly temperatures range from -3.2°C (26.2°F) in January to 21.6°C (70.9°F) in August (Sterling Public Library, 1979). The growing season averages about 160 days (U.S.D.A., 1978). The mean annual precipitation for the watershed, about 112 centimeters (44 inches), is well distributed throughout the year (U.S.D.A., 1978). Snowfall averages about 152 cm (60 in), but topographical changes cause much variation over short distances. The average annual runoff amounts to about 54 cm (22 in) or about one half of the annual precipitation. Most of this occurs during the spring. The East Lake Waushacum watershed TS equidistant between N.O.A.A. (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) precipitation recording stations in Sterling and Clinton, Massachusetts (United States Department of Commerce, 1979-1981). Actual precipitation data for the watershed was taken as an average of these two stations. During the study period (April 1980 -* March 1981) 101.9 cm (about 40 in) of precipitation was recorded. This wa^ only 91% of the mean annual value for the watershed. The annual evapotranspiration was calculated using the Thornthwaite method (Dunne and Leopold, 1978) and temperature records from the Clinton recording station (U.S.D.C., 1979-1981). Over the study period 60.7 cm (about 24 in) of evapotranspiration was calculated. This amounted to about 60% of the precipitation during that same period. A more specific breakdown of precipitation and evapotranspiration by subunit is presented later to determine the hydraulic budget. Topography and Geology Based on erosional characteristics, Massachusetts has been divided into six broad topographic divisions (Emerson, 1917). Starting from the west and LEOMINSTER

Heywood Reservoir

Wachusett Reservoir BOYLSTON

BASIN AND MAINAOE LOCATION

MILES Watershed Boundary 4 KILOMETERS • DEQE • DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

Figure 1 WATERSHED LOCATION moving east they are: 1) the Housatonic Valley, 2) the uplands of eastern Berkshire County, 3) the Connecticut Valley, 4) the Central Upland or Worcester County Plateau, 5) the descending slope bordering the plateau to the east and southeast, and 6) the Coastal Plain (including Cape Cod). Sterling is the eastern portion of the Worcester County Plateau bordering on the descending slope. The topography is somewhat related to the bedrock in the region. Hilly areas in the western portion of Sterling are underlain by resistant granite (Figure 2} while the transitional and lowland areas in the central and eastern parts of Sterling have various less resistant metamorphosed sedi- mentary rocks beneath (Emerson, 1917). The East Lake Waushacum watershed is underlain by bedrock of the Worcester Formation (Figure 2). The formation dates from the Lower Devonian and Silurian Periods and is made up of carbonaceous slates and phyllites with some minor metagreywacke (Zen, 1981). A few important minerals (silver, lead and iron) are associated with this formation (Woolner, 1970). Mining attempts in the area never proved economical because of low mineral contents (Town of Sterling, undated). By far the most important factor in shaping the current topography in the watershed was glacial activity. Apparently the action of a single ice sheet during the Wisconsin stage of the Pleistocene Epoch molded its surficial geology (Alden, 1925). Two notable glacial features are found in or near the East Lake Waushacum watershed. A pair of drumlins (Figure 3) are located north of the lake. The more southerly of these is unnamed and lies totally within the watershed. The other, Kendall Hill, forms a portion of the watershed boundary. -The second feature is a bed of outwash sand and gravel that extends to the west of the watershed. A thin band of sandy soils on the southwest shoreline of the lake is probably a portion of that bed. The remaining area in the watershed consists of glacial till of varying thickness and consistency. This adds considerable variability to the topography. The portion of the watershed north and northeast of the lake is steeply sloped (>8-15% slope)* hills interrupted by more gently sloped (>3-8% slope) uplands and a few flat (0-3% slope) wetlands (Figure 4). Some bedrock outcrops occur toward the northwestern corner. The highest point in the watershed (720+ feet above mean sea level) is an unnamed hill, also in the northwestern corner. The southern portion of the watershed is more gently sloped with 0-8% slopes dominating (Figure 4). Only a few isolated steep areas occur. From a maximum height of 600+ feet above mean sea level in the extreme southeastern corner the watershed grades down to the lake level at 442 feet above mean sea level.

*% slope = feet of vertical rise divided by 100 feet of horizontal distance

10 LEOMINSTER

Hey wood Reservoir

WEST BOYLSTON

BOYLSTON

Worcester Boylston Phyllite Schist

Fitchburg SOURCE1 Geologic map of Massachu- Granite setts and Rhode Island by B.K. Emerson ,1917- Oakdale Quartzite Watershed Boundary

DEQE- DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM -^__

Figure 2 BEDROCK GEOLOGY

11 LEOMINSTER

Heywood Reservoir

WEST BOYLSTON

Ground Moraine

Terminal Marsh Outwash & Moraine Deposits Sand Gravel

Glacial Sand & Morainal or SOURCE'Quaternary geology of the Wore Gravel Deposits Kame Deposits and Quinsigomond Quadrangles USGS Bulletin 760-Survey by W.CAIden a B.K-Emerson ,1925. Watershed Boundary

DEQE- DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

Figure 3 SURFICIAL GEOLOGY

12 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

— _ _ Subunit Boundary

13 Subunit Number

—450^ Contour Interval (feet)

Intermittant Stream

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM Figure 4 WATERSHED TOPOGRAPHY AND SUBUNIT LOCATIONS

13 Soils Soil types in the region are closely related to their glacial "parent" deposits. Environmental agents such as climate, biological activity, and topography have acted on these different parent materials over varying time periods to produce the soils that currently exist. The East Lake Waushacum watershed falls into a broad category of soils called the Paxton-Hollis-Canton Association (U.S.D.A., 1978). An association refers only to the most common soil types within a broad region. More specific soil types for the watershed are mapped in Figure 5 and described in Table 1. In the northern part of the watershed, the Paxton series dominates the soils (Figure 5). They are primarily associated with the steep sloped hills. Although these soils may be quite permeable in the upper layers, they have a hardpan layer at about 60 cm (2 feet) depth that prevents water from moving downward (U.S.D.A., 1981). This feature combined with the steep slopes can cause severe limitations for septic system installation and use in these areas (Hill, 1979). The Woodbridge and Hollis series are also commonly found in the northern section of the watershed (Figure 5). As with the Paxton series, these soils have moderate to rapid permeability in the upper layers but have a slowly permeable to impermeable layer beneath (U.S.D.A., 1981). Woodbridge soils have a hardpan layer at about 45 cm (1.5 feet) dept'h, while Hollis soils have bedrock within about 60 cm (2 feet) of the surface. As with the Paxton series, these soils have severe limitations for septic systems. The remaining area in the northern watershed is made up of small parcels of Ridgebury and Scarboro series soils. The town beach, Sholan Park, and associated parking area (Figure 5) consists of "made land." This is termed a "non-soil" area because it was filled with a variety of materials and its characteristics are uncertain. In the southern watershed the Woodbridge series is the most common soil (Figure 5). Although these soils are found on gentler slopes than in the northern watershed, the hardpan layer (described above) still limits their effectiveness for septic systems. The remainder of the southern watershed is made up of scattered areas of several different series including: Hinckley, Merrimac, Paxton, Peat, Ridgebury, and Whitman. The Paxton, Ridgebury, and Whitman series have hardpan layers similar to the Woodbridge series and Peat soils are very poorly drained, so each of these types have severe limitations for septic systems. Hinckley and Merrimac soils have no hardpan layers so the permeability is rapid throughout. This presents limitations for septic systems because water may move through too rapidly to allow adequate filtration. Soils in the New England region are notorious for their variability over very short distances. The soil series described are useful in predicting

14 122.

•V.V--...-.»W-:.V.; .% •'V'--v---':-v^^' '

/:l"^-^:>^^x^::;^^::;AvA^ ^l^/^li/^'-'-Vv';";';, ----.•\-- f ,•;•. >::V—^^;:-.:;/.;•;-•;:;

.-;;-:.-H5/g::.^--:--.:•• . • :: -W «3 ... •. .•:•- • ^•.-.

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

Hydrologic Soil Group A Hydrologic Soil Group B Hydrologic Soil Group C Hydrologic Soil Group D

•"&"} Soil TyPe J. j Subdivision (See Table 1) : - - . - |::'^ — — — Subunit Boundary ^^/.:-.?k.-,- .;.<•. • • -•!•••»• 14 Subunit Number

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM Figure 5 SOILS BY SUBUNIT

15 TABLE 1 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SOIL DESCRIPTIONS

MAPPING UNIT SOIL NAME SOIL DESCRIPTION 7, 8, 9 Hollis Somewhat excessively drained, shallow to bedrock soils formed in thin deposits of glacial till. Fine sandy loam surface within 2 feet of the surface, but deeper in places. May have very stony or extremely stony surfaces. Occur on gentle to very steep slopes. Hydrologic group C. 32 Ridgebury Poorly drained soils formed in compact, stony glacial till. Fine sandy loam surface soil. Subsoil is fine sandy loam or sandy loam. Hardpan at a depth of 12-18 inches. Permeability is moderately rapid to rapid above the hardpan and slow in the hardpan. Soils are saturated with water for 7 to 9 months of the year. Very stony or extremely stony surfaces. Occur on level to moderate slopes. Hydrologic group C.

34 Whitman Very poorly drained soils formed in stony glacial till. Black loamy surface soil, high in organic matter. Generally grayish fine loam subsoil and slowly permeable hard layer at 14 to 24 inches deep. Stones and boulders on and below the surface. Saturated with water most of the year. Hydrologic group D. 35 Hi nek ley Excessively drained soils formed in thick deposits of sand and gravel. Gravelly loam sand surface soil and sandy and gravelly subsoil underlain by stratified sands and gravels. Water moves rapidly through them. Surfaces may be stony. Occur on level to very steep slopes. Hydrologic group A. 37 Merrimac Somewhat excessively drained soils formed in sandy or sand and gravelly material underlain by stratified sands and gravel at a depth of ll£ to 2^/2 feet. Fine sandy loam or sandy loam surface soil and sandy loam subsoil. Surface soil and subsoil

16 TABLE 1 (CONTINUED)

MAPPING UNIT SOIL NAME SOIL DESCRIPTION

37 Merrimack moderately rapid or rapid permeability and (continued) underlying sands and gravel layers are rapidly permeable. May have a stony surface. Occur on level to very steep slopes. Hydrologic group B. 40 Scarboro Very poorly drained soils formed in thick sand and gravel deposits. Black sandy and mucky surface soil and sandy subsoil occasionally underlain by gravel. Saturated most of the year. Usually free of stones and boulders. Hydrologic group D. 47 Peat Very poorly drained bog soils formed in organic deposits underlain by mineral soil material. Dark reddish soils with iden- tifiable plant materials. Water table at or near surface most of the year. Hydro- logic group D. 52 Man-made Land Artifical fill with no discernible soil characteristics. Hydrologic group unknown 81, 82, 83 Woodbridge Moderately well drained soils formed in compact, stony glacial till. Fine sandy loam surface soil and subsoil that has moderate to moderately rapid permeability. Slowly permeable hardpan at about 18 inches. Water table within 11/2 to 2 feet of surface in spring and rainy periods. ; Very stony to extremely stony surface. Occur on level to moderately steep slopes. Hydrologic group C. 122, 123, 124 Paxton Well drained soils formed in stony, compact glacial till. Surface soil, subsoil, and substratum are generally fine sandy loam. Surface soil and subsoil moderately rapid to rapid permeability. Slowly permeable hardpan at about 2 feet depth. Very stony or extremely stony surface. Occur on nearly level to very steep slopes. Hydrologic group C.

SOURCE: U.S.O.A., S.C.S. (1980)

17 problems in the watershed. However, they are no substitute for on-site investigation before construction occurs. Once the soil limitations have been delineated at a given site, methods can be developed to alleviate them. Each of the general limitations mentioned for the East Lake Waushacum watershed has some standard corrective measures available. These specifics will be discussed later. For the purpose of developing a hydraulic (and nutrient) budget, the soil types can be grouped according to their hydrologic characteristics (U.S.D.A., 1965 and Mather, 1979). The groups are described as follows: Group A - soils having high infiltration rates even when thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of deep, excessively drained sands and/or gravel. These soils have a high rate of water transmission and would result in a low runoff potential (Example - Hinckley). Group B - Soils having moderate infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of moderately well drained to well drained soils with moderately coarse to medium tex- tures. These soils have a moderate rate of water transmission (Example - Merrimac). Group C - soils having slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of (1) soils with a layer that impedes the downward movement of water, or (2) soils with high water table at or near the surface for 7 to 9 months of the year. These soils have a slow rate of water transmission (Examples - Paxton, Ridgebury, and Woodbridge). • Group D - soils having very slow infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted, consisting chiefly of (1) soils with a high permanent water table most of the year, or (2) shallow to bedrock, extremely rocky soils. These soils have a very slow rate of water transmission (Examples - Peat, Scarboro, and Whitman). The above hydrologic soils groups were applied to the East Lake Waushacum watershed as in Figure 5. A breakdown of each hydrologic soil group by area in each subunit is given in Tables 34 and 35 (Appendix 4). Overall, hydrologic group C comprises 96% of the watershed area. Groups A and D and the uncertain category make up about 1%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. Group B is negligible when related to the total area. The four minor hydrologic groups only become important when looked at within certain subunits. Hydrology East Lake Waushacum receives drainage from 2.7 square kilometers (about 1.0 square mile) of watershed. Drainage routes include: six unnamed intermittent streams (Figure 4), direct surface runoff, and groundwater seepage. The last of these routes, groundwater, was found to occur by sampling the littoral zone with seepage meters in July and August 1980. Methods and

18 results of those samples will be discussed later. The area contributing to groundwater inflow is assumed to be equivalent to the surface watershed because the general geologic conditions do not suggest otherwise. Although unlikely, unmapped local conditions could result in groundwater contributions from outside that area. For the purpose of analyzing hydraulic and nutrient budgets the watershed was subdivided as in Figure 4 based on topographic highs. Subunits 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are associated with tributaries of the same, predetermined (by previous surveys) number. The remaining subunits (10-17) drain directly into the lake. The areas, soil characteristics, and land use characteristics of each subunit are listed in Tables 34 and 35 (Appendix 4). Outflow from East Lake Waushacum is via two man-made control structures and possibly groundwater. The major outlet structure, at the southeastern corner (Figure 4), can draw the lake down to 443 feet above mean sea level. The other outlet, on the western shore, can only draw the lake down to 446 feet above mean sea level. Thus, flow over this second structure is only occasional during periods of high water (generally in the spring). Water flowing through the southeastern outlet structure travels via a 46 cm (18 inch) pipe for about 150 meters (500 feet) in an east-southeasterly direction to a manhole. At this point the pipe takes approximately a 50° bend to the-east-northeast. After another 150-200 meters (500-600 feet), the pipe empties into an open ditch to the east of Spring Hill Road. This ditch continues in an east-northeasterly direction about 750 meters (2,500 feet) to a confluence with South Meadow Brook. That brook empties into South Meadow Pond which in turn connects to Coachlace Pond. Coachlace Pond's outlet waters, connect to the Nashua River via a brook, known locally as Counterpane Brook, which runs partly underground. Secondary outflows from East Lake Waushacum via the western outlet enter a drainage ditch that travels northwest for less than 10 meters (about 30 feet). It turns west-southwest for about 240 meters (800 feet) and then west for about 400 meters (1,400 feet) to flow through a marshy area and into West Waushacum Pond. Outlet waters from that pond form Waushacum Brook which empties into the Stillwater Basin of Wachusett Reservoir about 2.6 kilometers (1.6 miles) downstream. » High permeability soils (Hinckley) on the southwestern shore of the lake may be part of a glacial outwash deposit that extends from the west (Figure 3). EJrackley and Hansen (1977) lend strength to the possibility by indi- cating that deposits in that area have at least minimum capacity as an aquifer. The existence of such deposits combined with the low topography in the area means that the area could act as an avenue for groundwater to seep out of the lake during at least a portion of the year. To determine more specific conditions it is necessary to have information on the water table height and slope downgradient from the lake, characteristics of the aquifer (i.e., deposits), hydraulic conductivity ratios (horizontal to vertical), regional water table slope, and lake levels (Winter, 1976 and 1981). Measurements of that type were beyond the scope of this study.

19 Development Population Sterling has long had a history of being an agricultural community. Agri- culture, particularly fruit orchards, is still a major part of the economy. As automobile transportation became more advanced and roads were improved between Worcester and Fitchburg-Leominster and, to a lesser extent, Clinton, the town of Sterling became more important as a residential community. Since Sterling borders on Leominster and Clinton and is only 19 kilometers (12 miles) from Worcester, its residents can have easy access to any of these cities for employment or other benefits. Presently commerce and industry are only minor components of the Sterling economy (Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, 1978). Most of these types of business are currently located along Route 12, particularly in the northern part of Sterling. Commerce and industry is expected to become more important in Sterling now that Interstate Route 190 is complete. The projected growth areas are far removed from the East Lake Waushacum watershed so they represent no threat to water quality in the lake. The rate of population growth in Sterling was rather uniform from 1950 to 1970 (Table 2). That rate increased through tbe early to mid-1970's before leveling off in the last two years. These trends are generally related to those of the surrounding area. In particular, Sterling's population fluxes are probably controlled most by conditions in the Worcester, Fitchburg-Leominster and, to a lesser extent, Clinton municipal areas. The potential user population for East Lake Waushacum, including the populations of the four neighboring cities, is currently over 280,000 (U.S. Oept. Commerce, 1981). If the population trends continue to show little or no change the potential pressure on the lake will not increase drastically. Land Use Forests are the dominant land use type in Sterling (MacConnell and Niedzwiedz, 1974). As shown in Table 3, the percentage of forested land changed little in the twenty years between 1951 and 1971. The East Lake Waushacum watershed has a slightly higher compliment of forested land than the rest of the town. The other two notable land use categories in Table 3 are agriculture (including open areas) and urban (i.e., residential) areas. The reduction in the agriculture/open land use category (from 37.1% to 26.2%) with a con- comitant increase in the urban category (from 0.9% to 7.9%) underscores an earlier reference to the shifting economy of Sterling. Although more recent in-depth analyses are not available, it seems that the trend toward developing agricultural, open and probably forested land for residential use has continued to the present. In comparison with the rest of Sterling (Table 3), the East Lake Waushacum watershed has a smaller portion (17.0%) of its land tied up in agriculture

20 TABLE 2 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM POPULATION GROWTH

FITCHBURG- YEAR POPULATION RATIO TO 1980 LEOMINSTER WORCESTER 1950 2,166 38.6 1955 2,724 48.6 1960 3,193 56.9 1965 3,711 66.1 1970 4,247 75.7 76,282 176,617 1975 4,937 88.0 1979 5,643 100.6 1980 5,610 100.0 74,088 161,799 1981 5,594 99.7

SOURCE: U.S.D.C. 1972, 1981; Baker and Fedler, 1979; and Siefert, 1982

TABLE 3 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM STERLING VS. WATERSHED LAND USE COMPARISON BY PERCENTAGE

STERLING WATERSHED LAND USE 1951 1971 1971 Forest 62.0% 65.1% 68.4% Agriculture or Open 37.1% 26.2% 17.0% Urban 0.9% 7.9% 14.0% Mining or Waste Disposal 0.0% 0.7% 0.0% Outdoor Recreation 0.0% 0.1% 0.5%

SOURCES: MacConnell, 1972,and MacConnell and Niedzwiedz, 1974,

21 (or open). This is compensated by a higher percentage of land in the urban category (14.0%). Looking at the watershed more closely, land use types are delineated in Figure 6, based on the MacConnell Map Down maps for the Clinton and Sterling, Massachusetts quadrangles (7.5 minute series). Land use areas and percentages, calculated using a planimeter on each'of the watershed subunits, are totaled in Tables 34 and 35 (Appendix 4). The most important land use type in the watershed is forests. Uhen the railroad bed and roads which run through forested areas are included, the forest land use type represents 68.4% of the total land area. The major subunits to the south of the lake (subunits 2, 6, 8 and 9) have high percentages of forested land; ranging from 60.6% (subunit 9) to 97.0% (subunit 2). Subunits to the north and east (subunits 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12) are more sparsely covered by forests; ranging from 32.0% (subunit 11) to 70.2% (subunit 10). The comparatively uniform forest cover in the subunits south of the lake should yield water of relatively stable quality from the streams draining those subunits. Data from those streams should be indicative of background conditions (i.e., undeveloped by man) in this lake system. The forests in the watershed are mixed, with hardwood (deciduous) trees more prevalent than softwoods (evergreens). This type of forested area around the pond results In a somewhat higher nutrient contribution (via deciduous leaf litter) to the lake than an evergreen (mostly softwoods) forest would (Cowen and Lee, 1973, and Wetzel, 1875). The second most important land use category, by percentage, is urban (14.0%). This seems like a relatively small percentage of the watershed until the distribution of that land is examined. Of the urban (i.e., residential) land, 71% is located adjacent to the lake. Those areas are described as high density residential areas (less than one acre of land/house) by the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (1978). MacConnell and Niedzwiedz (1974) describe the area on the eastern shore as 1/4 to Vl2 acre lots and the area on the northern shore as less than 1/4 acre lots. Collectively the lakeshore residential areas form one of only three high density areas in Sterling. The remaining 29% of the urban land is well removed from the lake and consists of a much lower density (>1 acre/ house). Further analysis of the distribution of the nearshore urban land areas shows that only non-stream subunits (11, 12, 13, 15 and 16) have percentages above the watershed average (27.2%, 33.0%, 55.6%, 66.7% and 87.0%, respectively). Thus, hydraulic and nutrient contributions from these areas will all be via direct surface runoff or groundwater seepage. Measuring surface runoff and groundwater directly presented problems beyond the scope of this study so it was necessary to estimate their input using indirect methods. These will be covered in greater detail in the hydraulic and nutrient budget sections.

22 Water

Forest

Open Area

Residential

Agricultural

Recreational

Railroad

__ _ _ Subunit Boundary

13 Subunit Number

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM Figure 6 LAND USE BY SUBUNIT 400 Meters . 23 The remaining two land use categories, agriculture and open areas, represent 9.0% and 8.5% of the watershed land, respectively. All of the agricultural land is orchards; either older, active or abandoned (MacConnell, 1971 a and b). The ground surface associated with orchards is generally grass covered which keeps erosional soil loss to a minimum. Established orchard crops, such as these, also do not require the application of supplemental fertilizers as do most row crops and young orchard crops. Thus these areas seem to represent only a low-level nutrient source for the lake. This is fortunate considering the soil types and slopes present in this watershed. Other agricultural activities would create a substantial nutrient source. Of the land attributed to open areas, about half is associated with a powerline that intermittently transects the western side of the watershed. Vegetation under the powerline is periodically cut down to maintain a corridor for easy access to the towers. Grasses and low herbs and shrubs have stabilized the ground so that erosion is minimal. The remaining open areas are abandoned fields. A Boston and Maine railroad track and bed runs along the southern shore of the lake. Although this has been delineated in Figure 6 as a separate land use, it is incorporated into the adjacent land use categories for hydraulic determinations (Tables 34 and 35, Appendix 4). Comparing the land uses in the East Lake Waushacum watershed with the soil types and slope conditions that exist.leads to the obvious conclusion that the residential development on the lakeshore represents the greatest threat to water quality in the lake. As stated earlier, soils in the watershed generally have severe limitations for building septic systems, primarily because of a hardpan layer close to the surface. Other characteristics associated with residential development can increase nutrient addition to the lake. Impervious surfaces (roads, driveways, roofs, etc.) in developed areas increase the amount and velocity of direct stormwater runoff. This allows transport of more materials to the lake. A common sight on East Lake Waushacum, as well as other lakes, are a well-kept lawns that run directly to the lake's edge. These well-kept lawns may allow from 60-66% of incident precipitation to runoff (New Castle Planning Department, 1974). Excessive or careless application of fertilizers to such areas can easily result in plant nutrients being washed into the lake. Automobile washing, leaf and grass disposal (in lake), and pet waste disposal are among a host of minor activities that provide nutrient addition to lakes as a result of increased residential development. When initial development occurred on East Lake Waushacum, it was as seasonal residences and generally during a time when people knew or cared little about the effects of nutrients on lakes. The primary concern of having a septic system was whether it functioned hydraulically (i.e., didn't get flooded out or back up). For the most part septic systems installed for seasonal (summer) residences seemed adequate for the area because a) they were only being used about three months of the year which provided an extensive recovery period, and b) they were being used during a relatively

24 dry time of the year when groundwater conditions would not affect them. As more seasonal residences are converted or new permanent dwellings are built, problems with septic systems may arise.

25 LAKE CHARACTERISTICS Physical Description Location East Lake Waushacum, an enhanced Great Pond of 74.3 hectares (about 184 acres when the surface is at 442 feet above mean sea level), is located in Sterling, Worcester County, Massachusetts. The approximate center of the lake lies at 42°24'10"N latitude, 71°44158"W longitude. With the extent of glacial activity apparent in this region, it is assumed that the natural East Lake Waushacum basin had a glacial origin. Possibly the depression was made and filled by an ice block left behind after the glacier retreated or it may have been a result of glacial scouring with filling by melt-water runoff. These specifics are unknown. Conversations with a long-time lakeshore resident indicate that the original shoreline was approximately where the current 1.5 m (5 ft) depth contour is today (Dr. James Blodgett, personal communication, February 27, 1982). At that time the natural drainage was to the west. The outlet was dammed (date uncertain, but prior to 1935) to hold water for use by mills in Oakdale, a portion of west Boylston about 4.0 km (2.5 mi) southwest of the lake. That dam raised the water level to its present level. In the mid to late 1930's a control structure was built in the southeast corner of the lake by the Metropolitan District Commission. This diverted flow away from Waushacum Brook and the Stillwater River to a confluence with the Nashua River (south branch) below Wachusett Reservoir. Figure 7 (M.D.C., 1980) diagrams a vertical cross section of this control structure which, until 1980, was controlled by the M.O.C. Currently, members of the East Lake Waushacum Association have access to the structure for adjusting the lake water level. Morphometry The bathymetric map of East Lake Waushacum (Figure 8) was provided by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and checked in the field using a fathometer (Ray Jefferson Fish Flasher "6006"). Morphometric data (Table 4) were determined from this map and United States Geological Survey topographic maps — Sterling (1968) and Clinton (1965) Quadrangles (7.5 minute series) -- utilizing a planimeter and rotometer according to Hutchinson (1957) and Welch (1948). The terms development of shoreline and development of volume in Table 4 are indicators of the relative shape of the lake. Development of shoreline compares the length of shoreline to the circumference of a circle having the same area as the lake. The value obtained gives a rough indication as to the extent of littoral (i.e., shallow areas) in the lake relative to pelagic (deep) areas. The higher the number is above one the more irregu- lar the shoreline and the more shallow embayments available for growth of aquatic plants. In the case of East Lake Waushacum, the number is low (1.57) meaning that for a lake of its area there is a good balance between the littoral and pelagic zones.

26 _ ligy.iorffi-) o^ ww^'t

DEOE DWPC- Technical Services EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM Figure 7 STATION 7-OUTLET STRUCTURE ^ Inlet or Outlet (T) Sampling Station

•5-~ Depth Interval (feet)) IOOO Scole'ft. Less than 15 ft. leters *DEQE- DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

Figure 8 BATHYMETRIC MAP

28 TABLE 4 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM MORPHOMETRIC DATA

Maximum Length 1300 m (4,250 ft) Maximum Width 1160 m (3,800 ft) Mean Width 570 m (1,800 ft) Maximum Depth 11.6 m (38 ft) Mean Depth 4.0 m (13.0 ft) Surface Area (excluding island) 74.3 ha (184 acres) Volume: Surface - 1.5 m (5 ft) 942,000 m3 (3.33 X 107 ft3) 1.5 m - 3.0 m (10 ft) 705,000 m3 (2.49 X 10? ft3) 3.0 m - 4.6 m (15 ft) 551,000 m3 (1.95 X 10? ft3) 4.6 m - 6.1 m (20 ft) 355,000 m3 (1.25 X 107 ft3) 6.1 m - 7.6 m (25 ft) 207,000 m3 (0.73 X 107 ft3) 7.6 m - 9.1 m (30 ft) 124,000 m3 (0.44 X 107 ft3) 9.1 m - 10.7 m (35 ft) 67,000 m3 (0.24 X 107 ft3) 10.7 m - 11.6 m (38 ft) 9,000 m3 (Q.Q3 X 107 ft3) Total Volume 2,960,000 m3U0.46 X 107 ft3)

Shoreline Length 4,800 m (15,700 ft) Development of Shoreline 1.57 Development of Volume 1.03 Watershed Area (excluding take) 2.66 km2 (1.03 mi2) Watershed Area/Surface Area 3.58

SOURCES: Data were computed (assuming a lake level of 442 feet above mean sea level) using the Sterling (1968) and Clinton (1965), Massachusetts quadrangles (7.5 minute series) from the U.S.G.S. and a bathymetric map prepared by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

29 The development of volume indicates the basin regularity by comparing the mean depth to the maximum depth. Values normally exceed, but remain close to one in areas of easily erodable material. These conditions exist in the East Lake Waushacum watershed so the 1.03 value for the lake is within the expected range. Lake Uses Past The recorded history of East Lake Waushacum (Indian for "sea" or "spring") dates back to the early 1640's when English traders first contacted the Nashaway (or Nashawog, meaning "land in between") sachem, Sholan (Baker and Fedler, 1979). At that time, a village, Waushacum, located between East and West Lake Waushacum, served as the headquarters for his tribe. The location was easily defensible and the lakes provided excellent fishing. In May 1676, East Lake Waushacum became the site of the only recorded naval victory in Worcester County (Town of Sterling, 1931). During the King Philip War, a force of men marching from Boston to defend a plantation on the Connecticut River was detoured to Waushacum. There they surprised a group of Indians who were fishing in canoes. Most of the Indians were killed or captured during the battle. The village of Waushacum deteriorated following the King Philip War and the land was sold to the English by Sholan's nephew, George Tahanto. The next mention of active use on the lake was in 1870 when ice harvesting operations were noted during the winter (Town of Sterling, undated), Although exact dates are not available, it is known that the lake's natural outlet was dammed prior to 1935 so that water could be used for mills in Oakdale. Present Current uses of East Lake Waushacum were determined via a questionnaire circulated by the East Lake Waushacum Association among its members in 1980. A copy of the questionnaire is presented in Appendix 3. Questions 1 through 4 referred to uses of the lake. The first question asked raters to rank the uses they considered important, while the third question asked them to specify the ways they used the lake. Results from both questions showed swimming to be most important by a wide margin. Both showed sailing to be second in popularity. Boating and fishing had approximately equal ratings as the third and fourth most popular uses. Other minor uses included: waterskiing, ice skating, canoeing, skiing, and aesthetic enjoyment. When asked whether uses had changed in recent years (question #2) three quarters of the respondents answered in the affirmative. The most commonly noted changes were increases in large powerboats and in permanent homes. These results suggest a definite increase in the amount of recreational activity on East Lake Waushacum.

30 The last question (#4) regarding use of the lake dealt with fishing. Respondents listed hornpout or catfish (Ictalurus sp.), yellow perch (Perca flavescens Mitchill), bass (Micropterus sp.), pickerel (Esox niger Leseur), sunfish (Lepomis spp.), crappie (Pomoxis sp.) and trout as types of fish caught from the lake. Results were inconclusive as to changes in the quality or quantity of fish in East Lake Waushacum. Records from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (1982) indicate that the Town of Sterling stocked the lake with smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui Lacapede) in the 1880's. From 1934 through 1952, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (then called Fisheries and Game) stocked the pond with several species (Table 5). Fish samples taken in 1951 found the following species in the lake: yellow bullhead, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, chain pickerel, bluegills, yellow perch, pumpkinseeds, black crappie, red-bellied sunfish, golden shiners and killifish. As a result of the sampling, it was determined that stocking of trout should cease and the pond should be managed for largemouth bass. Public access to East Lake Waushacum for boating and fishing is available at two points (Figure 9). The first is on the northeast shore off Beach Street and next to Sholan Park. The area is unpaved and has informal parking for only a few vehicles. The second access point is on the southwestern shore off Newell Hill Road next to the Worcester Boys Club beach. That area, although once paved-, is in a state of disrepair and only provides parking informally for a few vehicles.. Outboard motor use on East Lake Waushacum is restricted by a Town of Sterling by-law passed on March 6, 2965 (Lois Seifert, personal communication, June 18, 1982). Waterskiing is allowed only in a counterclock- wise direction and no operation of outboards is allowed from one half hour after sunset to one half hour before sunrise. Swimming facilities are available at two beaches, but their access is restricted. The small beach in the southwest corner off Newell Hill Road (Figure 9) is used by the Worcester Boys Club. A larger beach with bath- houses and parking facilities is available at Sholan Park. This town- owned area is restricted to use by Sterling residents only (Baker and Fedler, 1979). Permits are available at the Town Hall. Automobiles are the chief mode of transportation to and from East Lake Waushacum. The watershed lies between State Route 12 to the west and State Route 110 to the southeast. The former is a major route between Worcester and the Leominster-Fitchburg area. Now that Interstate 190 is complete, Route 12 will probably see less use. Route 110 provides a link to Clinton, the other major population center in the region. Although a branch of the Boston and Maine Railroad runs adjacent to the lake, it does not serve the area.

31 TABLE 5

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM FISH STOCKING HISTORY

SPECIES YEAR STOCKED

Esox niger Lesueur (chain pickerel) 1935 Ictalurus sp. (horn pout) 1934,'35,'37 -'39 Lepomis spp. (sunfish) 1934 Morone americana Gmelin (white perch) 1940 Perca flavescens Mitchlll (yellow perch) 1934, '35, '38, '39 Pomoxis nigromaculatus Lesueur (black crappie) 1934, '35, '37 Salmo gairdneri Richardson (rainbow trout) 1939-'44, '46, '48 Salmo trutta L. (brown trout) 1940, '47-'52 Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill (brook trout) 1949, '50 Smelt eggs. 1943, '44

SOURCE: Stocking records from the open files of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife at Westborough, Massachusetts.

32 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

Q 400 800 1200 1600 IFeet

DEOE- DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

Figure 9 PERIMETER MAP

33 PROBLEMS AND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Watershed Like most of Sterling, the East Lake Waushacum watershed is composed mainly of soil types that are unsuitable for onsite wastewater disposal systems. Thus any townwide management of such problems are applicable to the watershed area. A study of sewering needs alternatives in Sterling (Anderson-Nichols Co., Inc., 1977), stressed this problem and recommended that "The Town of Sterling must quickly make a decision whether to sewer or rehabilitate failed systems and continue to rehabilitate failed systems." The viable sewering alternatives suggested in the report would transport wastewater from selected portions of the town (not including the East Lake Waushacum area) to the M.D.C. operated Clinton wastewater treatment facility. The town has since decided against any of these sewering alternatives. The town's decision not to sewer seems to indicate an intention to manage onsite systems. As suggested by Anderson-Nichols Co., Inc. (1977) such an undertaking will require limitation of development to areas with suitable soils, careful inspection of system designs and installation by Town authorities and development of septage treatment procedures. Lake As development and conversion from summer to year-round residences has increased around East Lake Waushacum, so have visible signs of eutrophication. Complaints of large masses of algae in shallow areas began in the 1970's and continue today. According to many who answered the East Lake Waushacum Association questionnaire, silt or "muck" covers the bottom where it was once clean. In a few cases, residents noted that aquatic vascular plant growth (weeds) has increased markedly. Another complaint is the use of high-powered motorboats, particularly in shallow areas. Although this issue was not directly addressed in the diagnostic study, a few comments ought to be made based on existing research and on conditions at East Lake Waushacum. Apparently, few nutrients are added to the water from outboard (or inboard) motors, but substantial amounts of gasoline and related combustion by-products are released into the water (Kuzminski, et al., 1973). In addition, use of high horsepower motors (50 horsepower and above) acts to stir up sediments (possibly nutrient rich) to a water depth of at least 4.6 meters or 15 feet (Yousef, 1974). At East Lake Waushacum, this represents about 70 percent of the lake surface area. Once in the water column, the sediments can spread horizontally to cut down light penetration (transparency) and increase the extent of anoxia (lack of oxygen) in the hypolimnion (Rich, 1980a and 1980b). With no current restrictions on horsepower at East Lake Waushacum, this represents a potential problem. The interests of a group of lakeshore residents are represented by the East Lake Waushacum Association. This organization collects dues, elects offi- cers and holds regular meetings. Besides organizing social events among its members, the group has been a major force concerned with water quality conditions in the lake. Through circulation of educational materials, the association has sought to enlighten its members as to how lakes function and what individuals can do to protect their lake. A request from the Association resulted in the Division of Water Pollution Control carrying out a baseline water quality survey on September 10, 1979. A presentation by members of the East Lake Waushacum Association before the Sterling Board of Selectmen in November 1979 helped to gain the town's support in applying to the Division of Water Pollution Control for a Phase 1 (Diagnostic/Feasibility) grant from the Federal Environmental Protection Agency's Section 314 (Clean Lakes) Program. In February 1980, E.P.A. approved a grant which provided money for the Division to study East Lake Waushacum and five other lakes. Field sampling was carried out from April 1980 through March 1981. This report is the result of the analyses of those data.

35 LIMNOLOGICAL DATA Methods Sampling Stations Locations of the regularly sampled stations on East Lake Waushacum are indicated in Figure 8. Station 1 was located in open water over the maximum depth (11.6 m or 38 ft), slightly northeast of the lake center. Stations 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 were monitored for discharge and water quality of the intermittent tributaries feeding the lake. Station 3, the western outlet, was only flowing during spring high water. Station 7 gave conditions for the southwestern outlet. Lake levels were also recorded at this station both by Division personnel on sampling dates and by Mr. Walter Parks on random dates throughout the year. Table 6 describes the sites where the samples were taken and the methodology used to measure discharges, TABLE 6 STATION SITE AND METHOD DESCRIPTIONS STATION DESCRIPTION DISCHARGE METHOD 2 Collapsed pipe under railroad bed Bucket and stopwatch 3 Concrete weir with wooden flashboards Pygmy meter 4 Rock and gravel stream bed Bucket and stopwatch 5 30 cm pitched, corrugated metal pipe Dye time of travel 6 61 cm iron pipe Dye time of travel 7 46 cm intake pipe into concrete bunker M.D.C. rating curve with internal control structure 8 46 cm iron pipe under Newell Hill Road Pygmy meter 9 Combination 46 cm clay pipe into 30 cm Dye time of travel concrete pipe under private road Seepage meters were placed as in Figure 10 (SI - S27) to sample groundwater flow. Table 7 gives a full description of these placements. Field Sampling All sampling was done between 1000 and 1400 hours. No attempt was made to study the diurnal characteristics of East Lake Waushacum. Sampling occurred approximately every two weeks from early March 1980 through late October 1980. Tributaries were checked on November 20, 1980 but no discharge was found. During the winter, samples were taken once in December and once in February (1981). Following ice-out in early March,

36 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

0 400 800 1200 1600 A DEQE • DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM GROUNDWATER SEEPAGE Figure 10 COLLECTION SITES

37 TABLE 7 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM DESCRIPTION OF GROUNDWATER SAMPLING STATIONS

STATION WATER NUMBER DEPTH (m) BOTTOM CHARACTERISTICS1

SI 1.2 Muck S2 0.6 Muck and rocks S3 0.9 Muck and rocks S4 0.8 Muck over sand S5 0.6 Muck and rocks S6 0.8 Gravel and rocks S7 0.6 Muck over gravel 58 0.8 Gravel and rocks S9 0.6 Fine sand S10 0.8 Muck over sand Sll 0.5 Sparse muck over sand S12 0.9 Muck over rocks S13 0.9 Muck S14 0.9 Muck over gravel and rocks S15 0.6 Muck S16 0.9 Muck over gravel and rocks S17 0.9 Muck over sand and gravel S18 0.9 Muck over gravel and rocks S19 0.5 Muck over sand and rocks S20 1.0 Muck over gravel S21 1.0 Muck over gravel and rocks S22 0.8 Muck over sand S23 0.5 Muck over gravel and rocks S24 0.5 Muck over sand S25 0.8 Sand and gravel S26 1.0 Muck over sand and rocks S27 0.8 Muck over sand

As noted by D.E.Q.E. personnel during placement of the seepage meters.

38 samples were collected on two dates about two weeks apart while the lake was circulating. Temperature profiles were made "in situ" with a Tele-thermometer (Yellow Springs Instrument, Model 42 SO. Transparency measurements were made with a 20 cm Secchi disk following standard procedures {Hutchinson, 1957). Field pH tests were taken with a Hach Model 17N wide-range pH kit. Surface chemical, bacterial, and dissolved oxygen samples were conducted using a standard brass Kemmerer water sampler. Chemical samples were collected in pre-rinsed glass containers and stored on ice in a cooler for transport to the Lawrence Experiment Station. Bacteriological samples, collected in sterilized, screw-capped 200 ml glass bottles, were also stored on ice for transport. Meteorological conditions and other notable observations were recorded routinely. Inlet and outlet discharges were measured using methodologies adapted from the following sources: Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, 1952; U.S. EPA, 1973; U.S.D.I., 1957; U.S.D.I., 1975. Selection of the methodology was based on site and flow characteristics. Stations 2 and 4 had areas of free-falling water such that collection of a volume in a calibrated bucket could be time using a stopwatch. Three stations (5, 6 and 9) had pipes under a road that allowed calculation of a known water volume within them. Flow velocity was measured using the time of travel (TOT) for a dye slug over the pipe length. Discharges at Stations 3 and 8 were calculated from instream velocities measured with a pygmy type velo- ci.ty meter. A rating curve established by the Metropolitan District Commission (1939) and periodic lake level readings by Division personnel and Mr. Walter Parks (personal communication, April 30, 1982) were used to estimate discharge from the lake via the southeasterly outlet (Station 7). Limited testing of groundwater flowing into East Lake Waushacum was done in early July and early August 1980. Sampling was done using seepage meters constructed after Lee (1976) and Lee and Cherry (1978). Each meter was constructed by cutting off the upper one-third of a 55 gallon drum (steel or plastic) and drilling a hole in the top. A rubber stopper with a plastic tube inserted in it was placed into the hole. Meters were placed on the lake bottom in water from 0.5 to 1.2 meters deep as in Figure 11. They were then left four to five days to equilibrate. On sampling dates, an evacuated, clamped plastic bag was attached to each meter. Once the bag was attached, the clamp was released and the bag allowed to fill. By leaving the bag attached for a known time interval and then measuring the volume collected, a seepage rate could be determined. Chemical analyses were run when a sufficient sample volume was available. However, the meters need to be flushed by at least 1200 liters of water (20 - 40 times the meter volume depending on the size) to insure completely reliable chemical results (Lee, 1976). None of the meters used at East Lake Waushacum were in place long enough to allow that much flushing (Table 8). Laboratory All samples collected for chemical and bacterial analyses were transported within one day of collection to the Lawrence Experiment Station of the

39 LAKE SURFACE

PLASTIC TUBE RUBBER STOPPER

• MUD ;-...;>;:.•;... -./;--..-V

NOTE: NOT TO SCALE • DEQE • DWPC- Technical Services Branch, •••M^ EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM ^^^« DIAGRAM OF Figure 11 GROUNDWATER SEEPAGE METER

40 TABLE 8 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM GROUNDWATER SEEPAGE RESULTS

STATION SEEPAGE FLUX PERCENT NUMBER (jum/sec) FLUSHED

SI 0.071 22 S2 0.033 10 S3 0.046 18 S4 Bag b r o k e n S5 0.004 1 S6 0.016 5 S7 0.088 27 S8 Barrel no t s e a -1 e d 59 0.060 18 S10 0.075 23 -Sil 0.126 38 ,S12 0.241 73 S13 0.021 6 S14 0.270 82 515 Barrel moved 516 0.208 45 S17 0.197 42 S18 0.213 46 S19 0.000 0 S20 0.351 76 S21 0.227 49 S22 0.152 33 S23 0.133 36 S24 0.362 78 S25 0.269 58 526 0.072 16 S27 0.375 81

41 Department of Environmental Quality Engineering, Division of Laboratories, and analyzed according to Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA, 1976) and Methods for ChemicaTTnalysis of~Water and Wastes (U.S. EPA, 1979). Water quality analyses included pH; total alkalinity; total hardness; specific conductance; chloride; total phosphorus; total Kjeldahl, ammonia and nitrate nitrogen; iron; manganese; and total and suspended solids. Bacterial analyses were for total and fecal coliform bacteria and occasionally fecal streptococci bacteria. Phytoplankton and Chlorophyll a^ Phytoplankton and chlorophyll £ samples were obtained using a standard procedure described by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Lakes and Biological Studies (1974). Each sample consisted of a composite core taken with a 0.64 cm (0.25 inch) I.D. plastic tube with a weight attached to one end. The tube was lowered at the deep station to a point above the thermocline, pinched below the meniscus, and raised into the boat. The sample was allowed to drain into a pre-rinsed glass collection bottle. This procedure was repeated until a volume of 500 ml had been collected. The phytoplankton samples were normally analyzed on the day of collection using a Whipple micrometer and Sedgewick-Rafter cell. Algal counts were reported as cells per milliliter using Smith (1950) and Prescott (1954) as references for identification. Chlorophyll £ analysis (Appendix 2) was based on methodology from a modified EPA fluorometric procedure developed by the Division of Water Pollution Control at Westborough (Kimball, 1979). Filtered samples were refrigerated for 24 hours after being ground and extracted in 90 percent acetone. Fluorometer readings were'taken at 750 and 630 nannometers before and after treatment with IN hydrochloric acid (HC1) to correct for pheophytin. Aquatic Macrophytes The aquatic macrophyton community in East Lake Waushacum was located and mapped on July 22, 1980 by slowly examining the entire littoral zone from a boat. Prior to this diagnostic/feasibility study the communities had been mapped during two baseline surveys (June 20, 1977 and September 10, 1979). Where the bottom was not visible, it was dragged for aquatic vegetation using a weighted grappling hook. Most plant identifications were done "in situ." A few samples were taken back to the laboratory and identified according to Fassett (1957), Hotchkiss (1972) and Weldon, et al. (1973). Some plants could not be keyed to species because they were not in flower or fruit.

42 Results Physical Temperature Temperature profiles for East Lake Waushacum (Figure 12) were characteristic of a temperate, dimictic lake. Generally uniform water temperatures throughout the water column during the spring (April and May) and fall (October) surveys indicated that the pond circulated completely. Beginning with the April 16, 1980 profile (Figure 12) the successive profiles illustrate the temperature changes that occurred throughout the year. While the lake continued to circulate fully, aided by winds, increasing air temperatures and solar radiation raised the water temperature from about 10°C on April 16, 1980 to about 11°C on May 1, 1980. By May 14, 1980, a water temperature gradient had started from 15°C in the surface water to 10.5°C on the bottom. By June 9, 1980, a definite thermocline had developed between 6 and 9 meters (Figure 12). This zone of rapid temperature change reached a maximum depth on the July 22, 1980 sample date when it occurred between 4 and 9 meters. At that time the surface temperature was 27°C. The maximum water temperature (28°C) was recorded in the epilimnion during the survey of August 6, 1980. Following that sampling date, epilimnetic water temperature's fell and wind-aided circulation eroded the thermocline until fall circulation was recorded on October 7, 1980. Although not sampled, it is presumed that the lake circulated until- it became ice-covered in late November. A slight inverse stratification was noted from 0.5 to 1.0 meter on February 12, 1981 when samples were taken through the ice (Figure 12). The rest of the water had uniform temperatures of 4°C. The water temperatures remained uniform for at least two weeks following ice-out (March 9 and March 24, 1981) marking the beginning of the spring circulation period. The 20°C temperature level may be of significance to East Lake Waushacum if any trout stocking is anticipated. That temperature is considered the upper limit of "trout wateri (i.e.,water in which trout and other cold water fishes will live). When combined with the lower limit of dissolved oxygen for coldwater fishes (6.0 mg/1, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Water Pollution Control, 1978) a volume of "trout water" can be determined. This calculation has been generally used in fisheries management to determine the favorability of a lake for maintaining either natural or seasonally stocked populations of cold-water fishes (particularly trout). In 1980, temperatures were at or below 20°C throughout the entire water column until at least early June (June 9, 1980, Figure 12) and from mid-September (September 18, 1980) through the winter. After the June 9, 1980 sampling date the top of the 20°C level was recorded at different depths until it reached a maximum at almost 8 meters on September 4.

43 DISSOLVED OXYGfcN t mg/l

,» O) °-J to O ir to ~ — CM (\l C\J • • « Temperature D TEMPERATURE (»C) iQEQE-DWPC- Technical Services 81 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM TEMPERATURE (°C) AND Figure 12 DISSOLVED OXYGEN (mg/l)-STATION 1

44 Secchi Disk Transparency Secchi disk readings offer only a subjective estimate of the transparency in a lake. Factors affecting the reading include water color, dissolved and participate matter, surface conditions, time of day, sky conditions and observer bias. Readings were taken between 0930 and 1400 hours to minimize variations due to time of observation. Observer bias could not be controlled. Sky conditions also could not be controlled, but they are recorded in Table 9. Suspended solids were measured regularly (Table 20), but were usually low. The highest surface levels (7.0-8.0 mg/1) were recorded on August 6, 1980. That date corresponded to the lowest Secchi disk reading (3.6 meters) over the study period. Secchi disk readings for East Lake Waushacum are presented in Table 9. They were always well above the 1.2 m (4.0 ft) minimum standard for bathing beaches set by the Department of Public Health (1960). In fact, over the period from April 16, 1980 to October 21, 1980 readings averaged 4.5 meters (almost 15 feet) with a maximum of 5.2 meters (17.2 feet) occurring on June 23, 1980. These are usually indicative of good water quality. Chemical Data Dissolved Oxygen Annual fluctuations in epilimnetic dissolved oxygen (Figure 12) followed the temperature-related solubility properties of water. Cooler waters of the winter and early spring held the most oxygen (12.9-13.7 mg/1 on 12 February L981; 12.7-13.2 mg/1 on 9 March 1981). As water temperatures warmed through the summer less oxygen was retained. On 22 July 1980, the date of maximum recorded surface water temperatures (27°C), 8.0 mg/1 of dissolved oxygen were found. The recorded dissolved oxygen values are put into a better perspective when they are compared to the amount of oxygen water can hold at a given temperature (i.e., percent saturation of oxygen). Percent saturations (Table 10) for the surface waters of East Lake Waushacum were consistently close to or slightly above saturation throughout the entire year. Such aeration of the upper lake strata is a healthy sign indicative of relatively small algal and/or aquatic plant populations. Dissolved oxygen concentrations (Figure 12) and percent saturations (Table 10) were uniform and high on sampling dates during the spring and fall circulation periods and while ice covered the lake. As thermal stratification was established (late May to early June), dissolved oxygen concentrations and percent saturations began to decline in the hypolimnion. By June 23, 1980 percent saturations at 9.5 meters (31.2 ft) were below 15 percent and dissolved oxygen concentrations close to the bottom sediments (usually 0.5 meters from the bottom) were below 1.0 mg/1. These conditions lasted throughout the summer, but it was not until the 20 August 1980

45 TABLE 9 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SECCHI DISK READINGS STATION 1

DATE METERS (FEET) TIME WEATHER

10 Sept 79 5.2 17.0 1330 5% clouds, moderate-heavy winds 16 Apr 80 4.0 13.1 1100 100% clouds, rain, no wind 1 May 80 4.8 15.7 1330 100% clouds, drizzle, moderate wind 14 May 80 5.0 16.4 1420 75% clouds, heavy winds 9 Oune 80 4.3 14.1 1308 75% clouds, moderate winds 23 June 80 5.2 17.2 1145 10% clouds, light winds 8 July 80. 4.2 13.8 1127 100% cfouds, moderate winds 22 July 80 4.0 13.1 1130 70% clouds, hazy, light- moderate winds 6 Aug 80 3.6 11.8 1158 40% clouds, hazy, light winds 20 Aug 80 3.8 12.5 1102 100% clouds, drizzle, moderate winds 4 Sept 80 5.0 16.4 1034 20% clouds, light winds 20 Sept 80 4.9 16.1 1130 40% clouds, moderate winds 7 Oct 80 4.7 15.4 0950 100% clouds, light winds 21 Oct 80 4.6 15.1 1040 100% clouds, rain, light winds 12 Feb 81* 3.8 12.5 1000 0% clouds, heavy wind 9 Mar 81 4.2 13.8 1120 100% clouds, light wind 24 Mar 81 4.8 15.7 0950 10% clouds, light wind

*Reading taken through hole in 38 cm (15 in.) of ice. TABLE 10 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM PERCENT SATURATION - STATION 1

16 April 1980 1 May 1980 14 May 1980 DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT (Meters)(Feetj_ SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION

0.5 1.6 102 0.5 1.6 98 0.5 1.6 99 2.0 6.6 103 2.0 6.6 98 2.0 6.6 95 4.0 13.1 105 4.0 13.1 98 3.5 11.5 102 6.0 19.7 106 6.0 19.7 97 5.0 16.4 95 8.0 26.2 104 8.0 26.2 98 6.5 21.3 100 10.0 32.8 103 9.5 31.2 92 8.0 26.2 87 10.0 32.8 74

NOTE: Percent saturations were calculated according to formulae from Standard Methods (APHA, 1976) and tables from Diem and Lentner (1970) and Benson and Krause (1980) TABLE 10 (CONTINUED)

9 June 1980 23 June 1980 8 July 1980 DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION

0.5 1.6 84 0.0 0.0 99 0.5 1.6 95 2.0 6.6 94 0.5 1.6 95 2.0 6.6 99 3.5 11.5 95 2.0 6.6 98 3.5 11.5 96 5.0 16.4 96 3.5 11.5 108 5.0 16.4 94 6.5 21.3 91 5.0 . 16.4 -- 6.5 21.3 80 -p- 8.0 26.2 75 6.5 21.3 64 8.0 26.2 53 00 9.0 29.5 44 8.0 26.2 73 9.5 31.2 10 9.5 31.2 20 9.5 31.2 13 10.0 32.8 8 TABLE 10 (CONTINUED)

22 July 1980 6 August 1980 20 August 1980 DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters) (Feet) SATURATION I 0.5 1.6 102 0.5 1.6 113 0.5 1.6 93 2.0 6.6 102 2.0 6.6 110 2.0 6.6 94 3.5 11.5 102 3.5 11.5 117 3.5 11.5 93 5.0 16.4 98 5.0 16.4 104 5.0 16.4 112 6.5 21.3 69 6.5 21.3 70 6.5 21.3 107 8.0 26.2 57 8.0 26.2 21 8.0 26.2 39 9.5 29.5 14 9.5 29.5 13 9.5 29.5 10 10.5 34.4 10.5 34.4 10- 10.5 34.4 0 TABLE 10 (CONTINUED)

4 September 1980 18 September 1980 7 October 1980 DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION

0.5 1.6 102 0.5 1.6 92 0.5 1.6 90 2,0 6.6 101 2.0 6.6 91 2.0 6.6 88 3.5 11.5 101 3.5 11.5 90 3.5 11.5 90 5.0 16.4 88 5.0 16.4 89 5.0 16.4 89 6.5 21.3 75 6.5 21.3 88 6.5 21.3 88 86 Ln 8.0 26.2 31 8.0 26.2 85 8.0 26.2 O 9.5 29.5 6 9.5 29.5 24 9.5 29.5 71 10.5 34.4 0 10.5 34.4 7 TABLf 10 (CONTINUED)

21 October 1980 12 February 1981 9 March 1981 DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT DEPTH PERCENT (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION

0.5 1.6 90 0.5 1.6 95 0.5 1.6 99 2.0 6.6 88 2.0 6.6 104 2.0 6.6 101 3.5 11.5 90 3.5 11.5 106 3.5 11.5 100 5.0 16.4 88 5.0 16.4 106 5.0 16.4 100 Ln 6.5 21.3 88 6.5 21.3 105 6.5 21.3 103 H-1 8.0 26.2 84 8.0 26.2 107 8.0 26.2 100 9.5 29.5 81 9.5 29.5 105 9.5 29.5 99 11.0 36.1 99 10.5 34.4 101 TABLE 10 (CONTINUED)

24 March 1981 DEPTH PERCENT (Meters)(Feet) SATURATION

0.5 1.6 100 2.0 6.6 100 3.5 11.5 101 5.0 16.4 101 6.5 21.3 99 8.0 26.2 99 9.5 29.5 100 11.0 36.1 99 sampling that totally anoxic conditions were recorded near the bottom. This period of anoxia lasted through the next sampling date (September 4) but was not observed after that. These reductions are indicative of severe respiration-decomposition activity in organic sediments; a sign of lake eutrophication. The fact that anoxic conditions occurred for only about one month and only in a small volume of the hypolimnion suggests that internal nutrient loading from the sediments may still be of limited importance to East Lake Waushacum. This subject will be discussed further in following sections. With relation to the criterion for "trout water" discussed earlier (see page 43), dissolved oxygen concentrations above 6.0 mg/1 were recorded at all depths on dates sampled in April and May, 1980, and those from early October 1980 through late March 1981 (Figure 12). On sampling dates from June 9, 1980 until September 18, 1980, concentrations below 6.0 mg/1 were recorded from 8,5 meters to 6.5 meters. Comparison of these depths on given dates with the depths of 20°C (or lower) water indicates that "trout water" was limited or non-existent in East Lake Waushacum from about mid-July through mid to late September. Phosphorus Seasonal variations of total phosphorus in the lake surface waters were unnoticeable (Table 11). Over the entire study period the surface concentration averaged about 0.04 mg/1 with a range from 0.02 mg/1 to 0.10 mg/1. A series of ubiquitous high values recorded on July 22, 1980, totally inconsistent with other data, were attributed to technical error (either during transport or laboratory analysis). These values were not included in the average or the range. • Total phosphorus concentrations increased noticeably near the lake sediments on August 6, August 20 and September 4, 1980. These dates occurred just prior to and during the period when anoxic conditions were recorded near the bottom (Figure 12). Such increases in total phosphorus indicate that some phosphorus is being released from the sediment into the overlying waters during the anoxic period. Once released, they may be mixed with the upper layers during the fall circulation period. Calculation of the relative magnitude of this "internal loading" will be addressed later with the nutrient budget analysis. The tributaries into East Lake Waushacum had total phosphorus concentrations in the same range as the open water. Concentrations at Stations 4 and 5 on April 2, 1980 were the only ones that were notably higher. Although the specific cause of these higher values is unknown, they may have been related to a rainfall event a few days previous or possibly snowmelt runoff. Higher values of some other parameters (nitrate-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen and suspended solids) were also noted at one or both of the stations on that same date.

53 TABLE 11 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM TOTAL PHOSPHORUS (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.04 0.02 0.03 0.07 0. 10 0.04 0.23 2.0 m " ------0.08 0.04 0.23 3.5 m -- « - -- 0.05 0.07 0.03 0.14 — — 5.0 m - -- 0.03 -- -- 0.07 0.04 0.14 — — 6.5 m -. — - 0.03** -- 0.05 -- 0.14 — — 8.0 m ------0.04 0. 05 0.05 0.13 — 9.5 m -- - 0.03 0. 05 0.08 0.13 — — — — 10.0-11.0 m* 0.06 0.05 -- 0.07 -- 0.07 0.09 0.13 — STATION 2 0.10 0.06 0 .07 0.02 0.01 -- -- — — — STATION 3 0.09 0.13 0.05 ------— — — STATION 4 0.13 0 .04 0.06 0.03 0.01 0.04 -- -- — — STATION 5 0.09 0.15 0 .04 0.05 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.06 -- — STATION 6 — . 0.04 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.04 -- -- — STATION 7 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.02 -- -- — — — STATION 8 -- 0.04 0.04 0.02 0.05 0.06 -- ______— __ — STATION 9 0.02 „_ _—

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 11 (CONTINUED)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.05 0.03 0.02 0.03 0.b4 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05 2.0 m 0.04 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.04 1- 0 .04 0.05 0.07 3.5 m 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.04 5.0 m 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.04 6.5 m 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03 0 .04 0.04 0.05 0.05 0.04 8.0 m 0.05 0 .05 0.04 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.06 0.06 0.04 9.5 m 0.06 0.11 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.05 0.04 u/Ui1 10.0-11.0 m* 0.10 0.17 0.29 0.04 -- 0.04 0.05 0.04 —__ STATION 2 ------0.03 0.06 -- — — STATION 3 ______STATION 4 ^ 0.04 0.04 STATION 5 -- -- " - 0.04 0.06 0.05 0.03 — — — STATION 6 ------0.05 0.03 0.03 — — — STATION 7 ------0.04 0.04 0.04 — — — STATION 8 ------0.05 0.04 0.03 _ _ —__ __ _ — STATION 9 . -- 0.03 0.04 —— —

The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom Nitrogen Nitrogen is found in freshwater systems in several forms: dissolved gas, inorganic nitrogen (i.e., ammonia, nitrite and nitrate), and organically bound nitrogen (e.g., amino acids and proteins). All three forms can exist concurrently in a system. Nitrate and ammonia ions are the most important forms as nutrients for phytoplankters and aquatic macrophytes. Ammonia-nitrogen concentrations (Table 12) in the open water at East Lake Waushacum ranged from 0.00 mg/1 to 0.18 mg/1. Levels above 0.10 mg/1 were never recorded in the water column above 8.0 meters. Higher readings near the lake bottom were recorded only occasionally (0.18 mg/1 at 10 meters on June 23, 1980; 0.17 mg/1 and 0.14 mg/1 at 9,5 meters and 11.0 meters, respectively, on March 24, 1980). Those readings followed no particular trend. Notably, during the period of hypolimnetic anoxia (August 20 through September 4, 1980, at least) ammonia-nitrogen concentrations were not consistently high. This suggests that internal nitrogen loading from the sediments is not of particular importance in East Lake waushacum. The range of ammonia-nitrogen values in the tributaries was slightly wider than in the lake (0.00 mg/1-0.23 mg/1, Table 12). The concentrations were also more variable than in the lake. Variability in observations occurred at all tributary stations and consequently no high or low trends were apparent. In-lake nitrate-nitrogen concentrations were consistently low at all depths and during all seasons (Table 13). With a few exceptions tributary concentrations also remained low. Station 4 was often slightly higher in nitrate-nitrogen than the other tributaries (Table 13). Station 5 was usually higher still. The highest nitrate- nitrogen value recorded (1.3 mg/1) occurred at the latter station on April 2, 1980; a date previously noted as having high total phosphorus values. Station 9 exhibited somewhat high nitrate-nitrogen concentrations on the three dates in 1981, but it is hard to compare this station to others with only One sampling date during the 1980 part of the study. Organic-nitrogen concentrations (Table 14) were calculated by subtracting ammonia-nitrogen values from total Kjeldahl-nitrogen values on any give date. In-lake values ranged from 0.13 to 1.00 mg/1 over the study period. From mid-April to late October (i.e., the growing season) of 1980 an average of 0.43 rog/1 (a = 0.1945) organic-nitrogen was calculated for the lake. According to Vollenweider (1968), this average corresponds roughly to the mesotrophic level of lake productivity. Variations in organic-nitrogen levels in the lake were independent of changes in depth or season. An increase in organic-nitrogen values resulting from assimi- lation and conversion of inorganic forms by the phytoplankton was not observed. This suggested that algal populations were low: a hypothesis which was corro- borated by phytoplankton counts (analyzed in a later section). The tributaries had organic-nitrogen concentrations in approximately the same range as in the lake with the exception of one inexplicably high value (2.14 mg/1) at Station 2 on April 2, 1980 (Table 14). No consistent high or low trends were observed at any of the tributaries.

56 TABLE 12 EAST LAKH WAUSHACUM AMMONIA-NITROGEN (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m __ 0.0__ 1 0.01 0.00 __ 0.02 0.01 0.10 2.0 m -- -- 0.02 0.02 3.5 m ------0.00 0.04 0.03 0.01 5.0 m -- -- 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.04 — — 6.5 m -- -- 0.00** " 0.03 0.02 — — 8.0 m _- " " -- 0.02 0.00 0.02 — 9.5 m -- 0.01 -- 0.10 0.03 0.07 — — 10.0-11.0 m* 0.01 --. 0.03 -- 0.00 -- 0.18 0.02 — STATION 2 0.01 0.06 0.09 0.01 0.00 -- — — — STATION 3 0.01 0.01 0.04 ------— STATION 4 0.01 0.02 0.12 0.00 0.01 -- — — STATION 5 0.01 0.16 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.03 0.15 0.07 — STATION 6 -- 0.02 0.02 0.00 0.01 -- ™ -- STATION 7 -- -- 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 -- -- — STATION 8 -- 0.03 0.01 0.00 0.06 0.10 ------__ __ STATION 9 -- _- -- 0.02 -- --

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0,5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 12 (CONTINUED)

1979 . 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.03 0.02 0.03 ' 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.05 0.05 0.07 2.0 m 0.01 0.01 0.00 0.01 0.03 0.01 0.05 0.05 0.03 3.5 m 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 0.05 0.04 0.03 5.0 m 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.02 0.06 0.05 0.02 6.5 m 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.04 0.02 0.07 — 0.02 8.0 m 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.04 0.07 __ 9.5 m 0.02 0.03 0.01 0.01 0.04 0.03 0.06 Ln 0.17 oo m n 1i n «* 10.0 - 11.0 m' 0.06 0.02 0.10 0.01 -- 0.09 0.04 0.14 — STATION 2 ------0.09 0.04 -- — STATION 3 __ __ STATION 4 -- -'- -- -- 0.06 0.05 — STATION 5 -- -- " -- 0.08 0.23 0.02 0.03 — STATION 6 -- -- " 0.12 0.00 0.02 — — — STATION 7 -- 0.06 0.02 0.03 — — — — — STATION 8 -- -- -, -- -- 0.09 0.00 0.08 — STATION 9 ------0.04 0.06 0.11 — — — The depth is variable because sarnies were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 13 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM NITRATE-NITROGEN (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 2.0 m -- -- 0.1 0.0 — 3.5 m -- -- 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 — 5.0 m 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 — — 6.5 m _- 0.0** — 0.1 0.0 8.0 m -- -- 0.1 0.0 0.0 __ — 9.5 m 0.0 0.1 — o.o • o.i 10.0-11.0 m* 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 — STATION 2 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 -- -- STATION 3 0.0 0.3 0.0 " " — — STATION 4 — 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.0 -- " STATION 5 0.1 1.3 0.4 0,3 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 -- 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 STATION 6 -- — -- 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -- STATION 7 — STATION 8 0.1 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.0 " — — __ STATION 9 -- -- — 0.0 --

* The depth Is variable because samples were taken 0.5 from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 13 (CONTINUED)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 2.0 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 3.5 m 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 5.0 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 o.ti 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 6.5 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 — 0.0 8.0 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 9.5 m 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 10.0-11.0 m* 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -- -- 0.0 0.1 0.2 STATION 2 -- -- _- " -- 0.1 0.0 — — STATION 3 ______STATION 4 _-. 0.4 0.5 — — STATION 5 -- 0.5 0.2 0.7 0.5 — — — — — STATION 6 " ------0.5 0.0 0.1 — STATION 7 -- 0.1 0.0 0.0 — — __ — — — STATION 8 " __ " 0.2 0.0 0.1 _—_ __ — __ __ STATION 9 _- — _ 0.1 0.1 0.7

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 14 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM ORGANIC-NITROGEN (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.18 0.99 0.2__ 6 0.38 0.59 0.13 2.0 m —__ -_-_ 0.33 0.13 3.5 m 0.27 0.31 0.46 0.17 — 5.0 m 0.35 0.32 0.55 0.13 — — 6.5 m _- 0.17 1.00** — 0.29 8.0 m 0.31 0.67 0.15 — — — 9.5 m 0.90 -- — 0.29 0.46 0.15 10.0-11.0 m* 0.57 -- 0.16 0.47 0.27 0.15 — __ __ STATION 2 0.34 2.14 0.29 0.90 0.28 STATION 3 1.09 0.76 0.34 — — — — STATION 4 0.67 0.65 0,66 0.18 0.28 _- — STATION 5 1.69 0.70 0.49 0,66 0.39 0.55 0.47 0.56 __ STATION 6 0.50 0.70 0.35 0.56 _- STATION 7 0.48 0.54 0.46 0.35 -- — 0.47 0.68 0.31 0.41 0.38 STATION 8 _--_ STATION 9 -- 0.31 -- —

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 14 (CONTINUED)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 _ 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.22 0.43 0.60 0.55 0.68 0.55 0.71 0.54 0.32 2.0 m 0.26 0.41 0.51 0.47 ' 0.46 0.48 0.67 0.38 0.37 3.5 m 0.25 0.46 0.67 0.51 0.54 0.47 0.65 0.19 0.24 5.0 m • 0.23 0.47 0.71 0.69 0.52 0.41 0.68, 0.22 0.24 6.5m 0.24 0.47 0.58 0.44 0.50 0.44 0.51 0.25 — 8.0 m 0.22 0.52 0.71 0.39 0.37 0.45 0.59 0.24 0.16 9.5 m 0.32 0.53 0.56 0.38 0.45 0.58 0.83 0.22 0.08 0.26 0.63 0.70 0.49 " 0.71 0.24 0.18 10.0-11.0 m* — -- -- " -- -- 0.46 0.23 -- STATION 2 — STATION 3 ______-_ _- 0.74 0.27 -- STATION 4 -- STATION 5 -_ -- -_ -- 0.47 0.87 0.31 0.33 — — — 0.66 0.20 0.14 STATION 6 — — — — — STATION 7 ------0.81 0.25 0.22 — __ — — STATION 8 ------0.91 0.20 0.11 — — —— _.~ — .. _- 0.70 0.16 0.09 STATION 9 —

The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5-m from the bottom pH and Salinity Parameters In-lake pH values (Table 15) ranged from slightly acid (6.0) to just above neutral (7.2). Fluctuations due to depth or seasonal factors were negligible. • The tributaries had pHs in the same range as the lake with a few exceptions. In early spring 1980, pH values below 6.0 were recorded at Station 2 (Table 15). On the three sampling dates in 1981 Stations 6 and 9 consistently had values below 6.0. In-lake concentration ranges for total alkalinity (3-12 mg/1 , Table 16), specific conductance ( 40-65 /^mhos/cm, Table 17), chloride (1-17 mg/1, Table 18), and total hardness (11-14 mg/1, Table 19) were all low. They were all fairly typical of conditions in soft-water lakes. The tributaries, with the exception of Station 5, had salinity parameter values approximating those in the lake (Tables 16-19). Station 5 was consistently higher than the other stations in all salinity parameter values. This phenomenon possibly relates to winter road salting operations on the paved public roads near the headwaters of that subunit. In light of the recent concern over the effects of acid deposition, the total alkalinity concentrations can be reviewed as a gauge of the buffer capacity in the lake. Lakes with a low alkalinity {buffer capacity) will react quickly to inputs via acid deposition. Those with high alkalinity can neutralize much more acid. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildife uses the following alkalinity criteria when analyzing lakes for susceptibility to the effects of acid depositon (Richard Keller, personal communication, October 21, 1982): Vulnerable — 6-10 mg/1 total alkalinity Endangered — 3-5 mg/1 total alkalinity (CaC03) Critical — <2 mg/1 total- alkalinity (CaC03)

These values are based on a titration method for low alkalinities (A. P.M. A., 1976) which is not equivalent to the methodology used by the Lawrence Experiment Station during this study. The latter methodology may over-estimate values by as much as 35%, but no definite correlation is available (Richard Keller, personal communication, October 21, 1982). Alkalinity values cited in this report (Table 16) are undoubtedly somewhat high. The most commonly noted values (5-7 mg/1 in the surface waters) are on the borderline between the vulnerable and endangered classes outlined by the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Because of this it would be advisable in the future to have the alkalinities in East Lake Waushacum tested using the proper methodology. Periodic monitoring should concentrate on the lake, to document any decline in the alkalinity and tri butaries during the spring runoff of snowpack meltwater. The latter event can be a critical one with respect to acid deposition.

63 TABLE 15 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM pH (Standard Units)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 6.6 6.5 6.9 7.2 6.8 6.9 6.5 2.0 m -- — -- 7.1 6.8 6.7 — 3.5 m __ -~ 7.2 7.0 6.6 6.7 — CT- 5.0 m — -- -C- — 6.9 7.1 6.2 6.5 6.5 m -- 6.7** -- 6.9 5.9 — — 8.0 m. -- -- 7.0 6.9 6.5 6.5 __ — 9.5 m 6.7 -- 7.1 7.2 — 6.1 10 .0-11.0 m* 6.5 6.5 -- 6.9 6.9 7.0 6.3 — STATION 2 5.6 5.5 5.5 5.8 6.5 -- — — — STATION 3 6.4 6.5 6.5 -- — — — — — STATION 4 6.5 7.0 6.8 7.1 6.8 7.0 -- — — — STATION 5 6.7 6.4 6.4 6.5 7.0 7.6 8.0 7.2 6.6 — STATION 6 -_ 6.0 6.2 6.0 5,9 7.0 « — — STATION 7 6.7 6.7 6.7 6.9 ------— — STATION 8 6.4 6.3 6.5 6.8 7.0 — — — — STATION 9 ------6.2 ------

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 15 (CONTINUED)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 6.4 6.2 6.0 6.8 6.6 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.3 2.0 m 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.7 6.5 6.2 6.3 6.2 6.3 3.5 m 6.5 6.5 6.6 6.6 6.5 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.3 5.0 m 6.2 6.3 6.6 6.6 6.4 6.4 6.5 6.2 6.2 6.5 m 6.1 6.5 6.5 6.6 6.4 6.4 6.5 6.3 6.2 8.0 m 6.1 6.6 6.4 6.6 ' 6.4 6.3 6.6 6.2 6.3 9.5 m L/i 6.1 6.2 6.5 6.4 6.4 6.4 6.6 6.2 6.3 10.0-11.5 m* 6.2 6.3 6.5 6.8 -- 6.9 6.2 6.3 — STATION 2 -- -- __ . -- -- 6.0 5.1 — — STATION 3 ______STATION 4 -- -.. 6.7 6.2 _- STATION 5 -- « ------5.6 6.3 6.0 6.0 — STATION 6 5.8 5.5 5.6 — — — — — — STATION 7 ------6.0 6.2 6.1 — — — STATION 8 ------6.1 5.6 5.7 — _ _ __ —__ __ STATION 9 — 5.7 5.5 5.6

Depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 16 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM TOTAL ALKALINITY (mg/1 as

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 6 10 10 4 4 7 2.0 m 365 3.5 m - 9466 5.0 m 5 5 6 6.5 m 10** 6 - 6 8.0 m 5877 9.5 m 7 778 10.0-11.0 m* 10 4 10 5 11 STATION 2 4 3 5 6 STATION 3 5 6 7 STATION 4 - 7 12 8 7 10 STATION 5 17 11 12 16 15 15 16 27 STATION 6 - 4 5 6 7 STATION 7 - 5 6 6 - _ STATION 8 - 6 5 14 15 - - - _ _ _ _ STATION 9 7 — _ — _

* Depth Is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 16 (CONTINUED)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 5 1 5 5 4 5 8 7 5 2.0 m . 5 9 6 . 5 5 5 - 7 6 3.5 m 5 3 5 5 5 5 8 6 4 5.0 m 5 4 6 6 4 4 8 6 5 6.5 m 6 8 5 5 5 4 7 6 5 8.0 m 7 10 6 5 5 5 8 6 5 9.5 m 6 3 11 12 6 4 10 5 4 10.0-11.0 m* 12 7 17 13 - - 7 6 4 STATION 2 ------5 3 - STATION 3 ------STATION 4 ------7 5 - STATION 5 ------14 14 13 11 STATION 6 ------, 5 3 3 STATION 7 ------5 6 3 STATION 8 ------6 4 4 STATION 9 ------4 4 3

Depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 17 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE (^mhos/cm)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8 7/22

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 52 62 58 54 56 58 56 2.0 m ------56 58 56 — 3.5 m ------52 56 56 56 — 5.0 m -- -- 52 -- 56 56 56 — 6.5 m -- 44** -- -- 56 54 — — 8.0 m ------52 56 — 54 56 9.5 m 56 -- 58 58 56 — — — 10.0-11.0 m* 60 54 -- 56 60 58 -- — 58 STATION 2 36 34 31 33 30 ------.- — STATION 3 52 56 52 ------— — — STATION 4 64 62 69 54 60 58 -- -- — STATION 5 110 98 86 92 82 94 96 110 110 — STATION 6 • __ 42 40 38 37 38 -- -- __ — STATION 7 52 54 54 ------— — STATION 8 -- 55 49 50 64 70 -- -- __ — STATION 9 ------52 ------

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 17 (CONTINUED)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 54 54 56 56 54 54 40 56 62 2.0 m 54 54 56 -- 54 52 58 56 58 3.5 m 54 56 54 52 54 58 56 58 — 5.0 m 54 54 56 58 52 56 57 56 58 6.5 m 54 54 56 56 54 54 58 58 56 8.0 m 56 54 56 56 52 52 58 56 56 9.5 m 58 60 60 56 54 52 58 56 58 10.0-11.0 m* 58 62 65 62 58 56 58 — — STATION 2 -- --' -- _- 40 37 -- — — STATION 3 " ______!! mm ^ 66 64 STATION 4 __ STATION 5 160 160 120 120 — -- _—_ — STATION 6 -- -- 54 46 47 -- — — STATION 7 -- 36 56 56 — — — — STATION 8 -- -. 115 72 74 — __ -- — — STATION 9 —— -- __ 49 52 52

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 18 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM CHLORIDE (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/9 6/23 7/8

STATION 1 - 0.5 m - - 6 6 4 5 3 6 2.0 m - - - - - 3 6 3.5 m - - - - - 5 4 5 5.0 m - - - 6 - 2 6 6.5 m - - 6** - . 3 - 8.0 m - - - - 4 4 5 9.5 m - - - 4 - - 5 8 10.0-11.0 m* 6 5 - 5 3 3 - STATION 2 1 3 7 1 1 - - - STATION 3 5 5 6 - - - - - STATION 4 5 4 3 4 4 4 - - STATION 5 14 11 10 9 9 12 6 6 11 - - STATION 6 _- 4 1 . 1 2 2 STATION 7 6 0 4 7 - - STATION 8 - 5 6 4 7 6 - - - - STATION 9 - - - 5 —

The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5. m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 18 (CONTINUED)

1980 1981

DATE OF COLLECTION: 7/22 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 6 7 7 7 6 6 4 5 7 2.0 m 6 7 7 6 7 7 5 5 6 3.5 m 6 6 - 7 6 6 6 5 6 5.0 m 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 5 6 6.5 m 7 6 8 7 7 5 6 5 5 8.0 m 6 7 7 6 7 6 7 5 6 9.5 m 6 7 7 6 5 6 7 6 6 10.0-11.0 m* 6 6 6 7 8 - 6 5 6 STATION 2 ------4 3 - STATION 3 _ _ _ STATION 4 — ., _ _ - 5 5 STATION 5 - - - - - 13 26 13 13 STATION 6 ------6 4 5 STATION 7 ------4 5 6 STATION 8 ------20 9 10 _ _ _ _ STATION 9 _ - - 5 5 5

The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 19 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM TOTAL HARDNESS (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 8/20 10/21

STATION 1 - 0,5 m __ 11 12 13 12 2.0 m -- 13 12 — 3.5 m -- 13 13 — — 5.0 m -- 13 13 — — -- 12** 13 12 6.5 m — 8.0 m 13 12 —__ — — 9.5 m — 11 14 12 10.0-11.0 m* 12 11 -- 14 — STATION 2 7 6 6 6 -- -- STATION 3 10 12 11 — — — STATION 4 18 16 17 -- — — 21 17 19 -- STATION 5 22 — STATION 6 15" 7 — — — STATION 7 11 23 -- _— _ — __ STATION 8 8 9 _..

* The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters Suspended and Total Solids Solids data (Table 20) showed few trends over the study period. In the lake they increased noticeably with depth only on August 20, 1980 and September 4, 1980. As with the salinity parameters, Station 5 had higher solids than the other tributaries although the trend was not as consistent. Iron and Manganese Iron (Table 21) and manganese (Table 22) were only tested on a limited schedule to describe general conditions. Values found in-lake and at the tributary stations were within the range of those occurring naturally. High values of both parameters (3.5 mg/1 of iron and 1.30 mg/1 of manganese) were recorded in the hypolimnion on August 20, 1980. Anoxic hypolimnetic conditions allow release of ferrous and manganous ions from the sediments (Wetzel, 1975), so these high iron and manganese concentrations were expected. Biological Data Bacteriological The Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control (1978) has stated that the occurrence of fecal coliform bacteria in class B waters "....shall not exceed a log mean for a set of samples of 200 per 100 ml." 'This cri- .terion sets the limit for fecal coliform bacteria based on concern for public health. In cases where the bacterial numbers are high, a ratio of fecal to total coliform (FC/TC) greater than 0.1 is believed to generally indicate sewage (Geldreich and Kenner, 1960). Fecal coliform to fecal streptococci (FC/FS) ratios of 4.0 or greater are believed to indicate human feces while 1.0 or less are believed to be indicative of animal feces. As with most biological systems, these criteria are subject to natural variation. The class B criterion was only exceeded at one station (#4) on one sampling date (May 1, 1980) throughout the entire study (Table 23). The other bacterial groups (total coliforms and fecal streptococci) also were quite low throughout the study. This indicates that overall there were no gross sewage pollution sources apparent. In the one case where fecal coliforms were high, the FC/TC ratio was 0.4. The FC/FS ratio was 12.5. These numbers would seem to indicate an incident of human fecal matter entering the pond via tributary #4. The fact that the fecal coliform level is only slightly above the class B criteria means that variability in the indicator ratios may be great and their effectiveness reduced in the above case. Additionally, the fact that the criteria violation occurred on only one date during the study makes tracing- a source almost impossible. It is also possible that the high value may have resulted from sample contamination or laboratory error.

73 TABLE 20 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SUSPENDED AND TOTAL SOLIDS (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 6/23 7/8 7/22 8/6

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 2.0(42) 0.0(40) 0.0 1.5 0.0 7.0 2.0 m -- -- 0.0 1.5 0.0 8.0 3.5 m -- -- 0.0 2.5 0.5 7.0 5.0 m -- — 0.0 0.5 0.0 4.5 6.5 m -- 0.5(42)** 2.0 -- 2.0 2.5 8.0 m -- -- 0.5 0.5 0.5 8.0 9.5 m 0.5(38) 2.0 1.0 0.5 4.0 — 10.0-11.0* 2.0(42) 3.5(46) -- 2.0 -- 2.5 6.0 2 2.0(48) 5.5(24) 3.0(38) 0.5(34) -- • — -- STATION — ------STATION 3 2.0(40) 4.0(38) 2.5(46) — 4 -- 7.5(48) 4.0(64) 1.0(48) -- -- STATION — — 2.5(78) 0.5(50) 24.0 4.5(32) -- STATION 5 3.5(94) 16.0(90) — 5.0(186) 0.0(32) -- -- STATION 6 — — STATION 7 2.0(54) 0.5(40) ------— STATION 8 1.0(60) T.0(52) -- -- — — _-

NOTE: When available total solids are reported in parentheses after suspended solids * The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 20 (CONTINUED)

1980 1981

DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/2^__ 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.0(10} 4.0 2.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 m 0.0(14) 3.0 1.5 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 3.5 m 0.5(16) 1.5 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 5.0 m 3.0(24) 2.5 1.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 2.0 2.0 6.5 m 2.0(28) 2.5 0.0 0.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 — SI 8.0 m 3.0(28) 4.0 0.5 0.0 0.5 0.0 1.0 1.0 9.5 m 7.0(38) 5.5 3.0 1.5 0.0 0.0 2.0 1.0 10.0-11.0 m* 8.0(44) 16.5 5.5 -- ' 0.0 1.0 2.0 — STATION 2 ------" 0.0 0.0 — — STATION 3 ______STATION 4 -_ _- 0.0 7.0 _-. STATION 5 ------0.0 1.0 1.0 3.0 — STATION 6 -- -- 0.0 1.0 7.0 — — _—_ STATION 7 -- •-- 0.0 1.0 1.0 — — STATION 8 ------0.0 1.0 1.0 — — __ STATION 9 _- -.- 0.0 0.0 1.0 — ——

NOTE: When available total solids are reported in parentheses after suspended solids * The depth is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom TABLE 21 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM IRON (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 8/20

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.02 0.04 0.10 2.0 m ------0.03 3.5 m -- • -- -- 0.03 5.0 m -_ -- — 0.03 5! 6.5 m -- 0.05** 0.02 — 8.0 m -- -- — 0.22 9.5 m -- 0.10 2.20 — 10.0-11.0 m* 0.38 0.05 -- 3.50 STATION 2 0.18 0.00 0.00 0.03 -- STATION 3 -- 0.16 0.00 0.03 — STATION 4 0.00 0.07 0.06 — STATION 5 0.41 0.00 0.08 0.09 — STATION 6 0.02 0.05 -- — STATION 7 0.05 0.03 -- — STATION 8 _ — — 0.10 0.11 _..

* The depth Is variable because samples were taken 0.5 m from the bottom ** 6.0 meters TABLE 22 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM MANGANESE (mg/1)

1979 1980

DATE OF COLLECTON: 9/10 8/20

STATION 1 - 0.5 m 0.02 2.0 m 0.00 3.5 m 0.01 5.0 m 0.01 6.5 m 0.01 8.0 m 0.05 9.5 m 1.30 10.0-11.0 m 0.78 1.30 STATION 2 0.05 STATION 3 0.03 STATION 4 STATION 5 0.08 TABLE 23 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES (1/100 ml) 1979 1980 DATE OF COLLECTION: 9/10 4/2 4/16 5/1 5/14 5/28 6/23 7/8 7/22 STATION 1 - Total 1 <20 10 40 20 20 10 Fecal 2 <10( 5) <10«]LO) <5«5) <5 <5 <5 <5

STATION 2 - Total 60 80 <20 450 180 __ __ Fecal <10«10) <5«5) <10«].0) 150(15) 10 STATION 3 - Total 100 10 20 __ — Fecal <10«5) <5«5) <10«3 — STATION 4 - Total 50 <20 580 280 200 Fecal <5«5) <10(O.0) 250(20) 40 — STATION 5 Total 600 160 <20 560 300 400 100 300 Fecal 10(80) <5«5) <10(1C)) 120(5) 75 90 «5) 40 100 STATION 6 - Total __ <20 350 200 80 Fecal <10(O.0) 20(5) <5 — STATION 7 - Total 20 30 60 240 Fecal — <10«1.0) <5(5) 5 — STATION 8 - Total <20 420 300 500 -- Fecal <10«J.0) <5(5) <5 <5«5) — STATION 9 - Total -- 600 Fecal — <5«5) -- — *

^Total = Total coliform bacteria 2Fecal = Fecal coliform bacteria; numbers in parentheses indicate fecal streptococci bacteria TABLE 23 (CONTINUED) 1980 1981 DATE OF COLLECTION: 8/6 8/20 9/4 9/18 10/7 10/21 12/17 2/12 3/9 3/24 STATION 1 - Total1 5 400 5 UO 10 <5 <20 <5 <5 Fecal2 <5 10 <5 30 <5 <5 <10 <5 <5 STATION 2 - Total — — — — — — •_ — _ - __ 20 <5 ~ ~ Fecal <10 <5 STATION 3 - Total Fecal STATION 4 - Total 20 <5 Fecal — 20 <5 — STATION 5 - Total 60 200 <5 <5 Fecal — <5 110 <5 <5 STATION 6 - Total __ 60 <5 <5 Fecal 20 <5 <5 STATION 7 - Total __ 200 <5 <5 Fecal 90 <5 <5 __ STATION 8 - Total 60 <5 <5 Fecal <10 <5 <5 STATION 9 - Total -- 20 <5 10 Fecal 20 <5 <5

ITotal = Total coliform bacteria = Fecal coliform bacteria; numbers in parentheses indicate fecal streptococci bacteria Pjiytoplankton and Chlorophyll a_ Both phytoplankton counts and chlorophyll £ measurements are useful as general indications of the lake response to its nutrient loading. They represent a portion of the primary productivity in a lake. Aquatic macrophytes (vascular plants) make up the other major component. Generally, the more eutrophic a lake is, the higher the primary productivity and, thus, the higher the phytoplankton counts and chlorophyll a^ concentrations. Weber (1974) outlined some general guidelines for various biological parameters, including phytoplankton and chlorophyll a^ that are indicative of a lake's trophic status. Phytoplankton populations in East Lake Waushacum (Table 24) were always in the low part of Weber's range for oligotrophic lakes (0-2,000 cells/ml). The maximum total count recorded during the study was only 294 cells/ml on July 8, 1980. The groups represented in the phytoplankton were also indicative of clean water. Diatoms and other golden-brown algae (in "others" category) and dinoflagellates (in "others") were the dominant groups. Blue-green algae, a characteristic nuisance group, were virtually absent from the populations all year. A complete list of the phytoplankters identified in East Lake Waushacum during the study appears in Table 25. The chlorophyll ^concentrations (Table 24) also were consistently within the range set by Weber (1974) for oligotrophic lakes (0-3 mg/m3). As expected, the highest chlorophyll ^measurements occurred during the summer months when higher phytoplankton populations were present.

Benthic Algae 9 In a few shallow areas dense masses of these algae were common (Figure 13). Historically it seems that the abundance and distribution of these masses have varied considerably. During a survey done on June 20, 1977, filamentous algae were found around the entire perimeter in shallow water (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1978). Observations by Division of Water Pollution Control personnel early in the summer of 1980 noted them along most of the western shore. More recent observations by lakeshore owners (Helen Fifield, personal communication, September 3, 1982) described them as common on the eastern shore. In all cases the algae have been noted in shallow areas. It has been noted that filamentous algae, particularly periphyton (attached forms) often are found in masses associated with septic system leachates or other nutrient rich groundwater plumes entering lakes {McKinney and Krause, 1979 and Weaver, 1979). However, masses of filamentous algae can also be found in shallow still areas where nutrient sources do not exist. Because both of the above situations exist at East Lake Waushacum, it is impossible to delineate the cause of the algal masses. Finding the causal agent of the filamentous algae is made more difficult by the fact that the unat- tached forms can be moved by current or wind action. Thus, the observed location of a mass may not necessarily be its location of origin.

80 TABLE 24 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM PHYTOPLANKTON (cells/ml) AND CHLOROPHYLL a_

Cyanophyta (Blue-green .Algae) Chroococcus sp.

Chlorophyta (Green Algae) Chlorococcum sp. Sphaerocystis sp.

Bacillariophyceae (Diatoms) Asterionella sp., Cyclotella sp., Fragilaria sp., Gyrosigma s'p., Navicula sp., Nitzschia sp,, Synedra sp

Others Ceratium sp., Chroomonas sp., Cryptomonas sp., Oinobryon sp., Haematococcus sp., Lobomonas sp., Mallomonas sp., Merotrichia sp., Peridinlum sp.

82 1

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

A Filamentous algae • Moss G! Eriocaulon sp. - Pipewort Ay Sagittaria teres Wats.- Dwarf wapato G Gramineae - Grass BI Scirpus validus Vahl.- Softstem bulrush H2 Elodea sp. - Waterweed ^2 Myrica Gale L. - Sweet gale I Isoetes sp. - Quillwort E Eleocharis sp. - Spike rush J Najas sp. - Bushy pondweed 02 Lobelia Portmanna L. - Water Lobelia lf-2 Elatine sp. - Waterwort ?5 Pptamogeton epihydrus Raf. - Leafy pondweed Ng Nuphar sp.-Yellow water lily Pg P_. thin-leaved pondweed p Pontederia cordata - Pickerelweed 0 1000 83 Sparganium americanum Nutt. - Bur reed 0 SCO006' Meters • DEQE • DWPC- Technical Services Branch, EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM Figure 13 AQUATIC MACROPHYTES JULY 22,1980

83 Aquatic Macrophyton Figure 13 indicates the approximate locations of aquatic macrophytes on July 22, 1980. The density of the plant communities was sparse (0-25% cover) to moderate (26-50% cover). Of the forms identified, most are commonly found in "clean" lakes and none could be considered as a nuisance type. Fish Populations The most recent fish' survey of East Lake Waushacum, as recorded by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (1982) was conducted on July 6, 1951. At that time the following fishes were noted: Esox niger Lesueur (chain pickerel), Fundulus sp. (killifish), Ictalurus natalis Lesueur (yellow bullhead), Lepomis auritus Linnaeus (red-bellied sunfish), Lepomis gibbosus Linnaeus (pumpkinseed), Lepomis macrochirus Rafinesque (bluegill), Micropterus dolomieui Lacepede (smallmouth bass), Micropterus salmoides Lacepede (largemouth bass), Mgrone americana Gmelin (white perch), Notemigonus crysoleucas Mitchill (golden shiner), Perca flavescens Mitchi1} (yellow perch) and Pomoxis nigromaculatus Lesueur (Black crappie). Salmo jjairdneri Richardson (rainbow trout), Salmo trutta Linnaeus (brown trout), and Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill (brook trout) were stocked prior to 1951 but did not show up in the survey. They apparently did not take in the lake due to lack of suitable habitat. Other wildlife From 1961 to 1971 Dr. and Mrs. James T. Blodgett (1972) recorded sightings of 22 water birds (Table 26). Occasional records by Division personnel during the summer and fall of 1980 noted up to 80 ducks (primarily mallard and black ducks) on the lake. In addition to the water birds, Dr. Blodgett (1972) banded over 9,000 other types of birds from 43 species over the period of 1961-1965. The families of birds banded are included in Table 26. Water Balance and Hydraulic Budget Water Balance Ultimately, the water balance of the East Lake Waushacum watershed is controlled by the amount of precipitation received. This, along with other climatological, soil, and vegetative conditions controls the amount of evapotranspiration lost from the system. These two factors (precipitation and evapotranspiration), in turn, affect storage conditions (both soil moisture and groundwater) and runoff (both surface and groundwater). A simple mass balance equation can be written to describe the above rela- tionship as follows: P - E = Storage + Runoff (1) TABLE 26 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM LIST OF BIROS

WATER BIRD SPECIES OBSERVED FAMILIES OF BIRDS BANDED Gaviidae Columbidae - Pigeons and doves Gavia immer - Common loon Strigidae - Owls Picidae - Woodpeckers Podicipedidae Hirundinidae - Swallows Unspecified grebe Corvidae - Crows and jays Paridae - Titmice Ardeidae Sittidae - Nuthatches Ardea herodias - Great blue' heron Certhiidae - Creepers Butorides striatus - Green heron Troglodytiidae - Wrens Unspecified egret Mimidae - Thrashers and mockingbirds Turdidae - Thrushes Anatidae Laniidae - Shrikers Branta canadensis - Canada goose Parulidae - Warblers B. bernicla - Brant Ploceidae - Weaver finches Chen caerulescens - Snow goose Icteridae - Blackbirds Anas platyrhynchos - Mallard Fringillidae - Grosbeaks and sparrows A- rubrlpes - Black duck Aix sponsa - Wood duck Aythya collaris - Ring-necked duck A._ sp. - either greater or lesser scaup Bucephala clangula - Common goIdeneye B- albeola - Bufflehead Me"lani tta deglandi -_ White-winged scoter Unspecified merganser Pandionidae Pandion haliaetus - Osprey Scolopacidae Actitis macularia - Spotted sandpiper Tringa sp. - Greater or lesser yellowlegs Alcedinidae Megaceryle alcyon - Belted kingfisher

SOURCE: Blodgett, 1972

85 where P is precipitation and E is evapotranspiration. The storage and runoff components of Equation 1 can be divided further based on rela- tionships within the system (Carter, 1964). Water storage occurs basi- cally as two functions: soil moisture (SM) and groundwater storage (GS). Water runoff is over the soil surface (SR) or through the groundwater (GR). Individual soil particles above the water table have the ability to hold moisture via capillary attraction. The amount of moisture in this soil zone continually changes depending on the amount of moisture added by precipitation and removed by evapotranspiration. Thus, the soil moisture term is written as a changing term,A SM. Groundwater storage (GS) is also continually changing. Moisture from precipitation that is not lost to evapotranspiration and surface runoff or tied up as soil moisture provides a surplus to the groundwater. A part of that surplus runs into the lake as groundwater runoff (GR). The remainder accounts for fluctuations in groundwater storage (AGS). Using the above terms, Equation 1 can be expanded to: P = E + ASM + AGS + GR + SR (2) where P is precipitation, E is evapotranspiration, ASM equals change in soil moisture, AGS is change in groundwater storage, GR is groundwater runoff and SR equals surface runoff; All terms are expressed in units of water depth (i.e.,mi1limeters, inches, etc.). Actual values for precipitation (Table 36, Appendix 4) were obtained by averaging daily data from two recording stations approximately equidistant from the East Lake Waushacum watershed (United States Department of Commerce, 1979-1981). One station, in West Sterling (42°27'N latitude; 71°49'W longitude), is about 6.8 km (4.2 mi) northwest of the lake and the other, in Clinton (42°24'N latitude;, 71041'W longitude) is about 5.6 km (3.5 mi) east southeast. Potential evapotranspiration estimates for the watershed (Table 36, Appendix 4) were calculated using the Thornthwaite method and temperaturte data from the nearest suitable recording station—Clinton (U.S.D.C., 1979 - 1981). As described by Dunne and Leopold (1978) the Thornthwaite method uses air temperatures to estimate the amount of energy available for evapotranspiration. Thus, the formula for potential evapotranspiration is developed as follows: 10T; = 1.6 (3) I

where Et = potential evapotranspiration in cm/month

Ta = mean monthly air temperature (°C)

86 1.5 12 Tai I = annual heat index = -I (4) T=l

a = 0.49 + 0.01791 - 0.0000771I2 + 0.000000675I3 (5) Potential evapotranspiration can now be translated into evapotranspiration (E in Equation 2) based on variations in rainfall, temperature, direct surface runoff and soil moisture content. This is done for each subunit of the watershed from December 1979 through April 1981 using water budget calculations described by Mather (1979). The budget compares potential evapotranspiration with the effective precipitation received (i.e., actual precipitation minus direct runoff) to determine whether surplus or deficit soil moisture conditions exist (ASM in Equation 2). An example of how this was done for a subunit appears in Table 36 (Appendix 4). Table 37 (Appendix 4) gives the important totals for each subunit in the East Lake Waushacum watershed. Figure 14 shows a graphic representation of the general water budget conditions in the watershed over the study period. Variations occurred within subunits depending on their soil and land use types. A water surplus occurs after soil moisture and evapotranspiration demands have been met. The surplus recharges the groundwater (AGS and GR in Equation 2) and may enter the lake as stream baseflow or groundwater seepage depending on the subunit. Because of the shallow hardpan and bedrock layers 'underlying most of the soils in the East Lake Waushacum watershed, it is likely that little of the surplus adds to groundwater storage. During this study, water surpluses occurred generally throughout the watershed in December of 1979; in March, April and November of 1980; and from January through April of 1981. These periods correspond to times of highest tributary flow into the lake. Even though surpluses in precipitation were available during the months of January and February, 1980 and December, 1981, none were recorded because they were in the form of snow and ice. Water deficits result when evapotranspiration demands cannot be met by the precipitation inputs. During these times, soil moisture can satisfy a portion of the demand (as determined from tables in Mather, 1979). The remaining unsatisfied portion remains as a deficit. When water deficits occur, groundwater runoff (GR in Equation 2) from the system (i.e. the effluent from East Lake Waushacum) would stop. The change in groundwater storage (AGS, Equation 2) might become negative because evaporation would still draw from the lake surface. Water deficits were recorded from June through September in 1980. The groundwater seepage sampling was done during the middle of this period. Thus, results from those samplings would represent conditions when ground-

87 200

1754

150-1

125-J

Potentiot O~'""O Evopotrans- 1004 pirotion

CL D——Q Precipitation oUJ CD 00 Actual Evopotrons- piration

Soil Moisture Utilization

Soil Mois'ure Recharge

Water Deficil

Water Surplus

APR. MAY JUN. JUL. AUG. 1980

WEQE DWPC-Technicol Services Branch

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM ——•—— Figure 14 GENERALIZED WATER BUDGET APRIL 1980-MARCH 1981 water flow was at or approaching its annual minimum (i.e.,hydraulic "worst case" conditions). Perhaps the sampling results (Table 8) represent only infiltration into the lake to compensate for evaporation losses.

Flow Model General Precipitation, evapotranspiration, water use, direct runoff, snowmelt runoff, and surplus values from the water budget calculations will be used in a simple flow model (Figure 15) along with values measured during the study to estimate hydraulic loads to and from East Lake Waushacum. Once determined, these values will be combined with nutrient concentrations to estimate the nutrient loading conditions for the lake. Groundwater Storage In many lake systems, two watershed areas can be defined. One is delineated by surface topographic highs. The other type is based on the groundwater table and surficial geology. Usually these two watersheds overlap at least partially. In the case of East Lake Waushacum, information was not available as to groundwater levels in the watershed. The available surficial geologic information indicates that most of the surficial bedding has a relatively impermeable hardpan or rock layer within a few feet of the surface. It is assumed that water percolating to these layers will not pass to deeper groundwater but wil-1 run off toward the lake. For this reason the groundwater watershed boundaries would be approximately equal to those of the surface watershed. One break in the impermeable layers occurs in the East Lake Waushacum watershed. A rapidly permeable sand and gravel formation is found on the west side of the lake (Figure 5). The formation is near the original outlet (Station 3) so most of the land to the west of it, including West Waushacum Pond, is hydrologically downgradient. This means that the formation probably does not act as an important source of recharge to the pond from outside surface watershed boundary. In fact, it may allow for discharge from the lake to recharge downgradient surface waters or deep groundwater. The formation is relatively insignificant when compared to the rest of the watershed. It comprises only about 1% of the land area and so for initial water budget calculations it is assumed to be negligible. By setting the groundwater watershed equal to the surface watershed, any loss of water to deep groundwater is assumed to be negligible. This elimi- nates the AGS term from Equation 2. Water Use Most domestic water in the East Lake Waushacum watershed is obtained from private on-site deep wells (i.e., below the impermeable layers). These

89 ATMOSPHERE

-*Sw*^ •*ws_ •w%i*^ ****!** A i. A L

p E P E

^ r 1 r Non-stream Subunit 6i Subunit 8 Subunit 9 Subunit

EAST LAKE > Outlet 7 WAUSHACUM > Outlet 3

Deep Groundwater

iDEQE-DWPC- Technical Services Branch EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM Figure 15 .SIMPLE FLOW MODEL OF THE E. LAKE WAUSHACUM SYSTEM wells would not be recharged by the immediate surface watershed. Likewise, the entire area has on-site waste disposal facilities, most of which are above or in the impermeable layers. Other water uses such as automobile washing and lawn watering are also on-site. The combination of these factors means that water use is adding a certain estimable amount to the hydraulic budget of East Lake Waushacum. For hydraulic purposes it is assumed that any loss due to evapotranspiration or other causes will be negligible relative to the volumes being calculated in this study. To determine the hydraulic input from water use, an estimated per capita value of 0.21 cubic -meters of water/capita/day (55 gallons/capita/day; Fair, et al . , 1971) can be used. A range of population estimates was determined in Table 38 (Appendix 4) using direct field counts of houses in the watershed, distribution lists from the East Lake Waushacum Association (Helen Field, personal communication, November 9, 1982), and the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (1982) analyses of the 1980 United States Census data. In making these calculations, the numbers used for the total dwellings, seasonal dwellings, and permanent dwellings in the watershed are highly reliable because they are specific to the East Lake Waushacum watershed. The estimates of capita/dwelling are slightly less reliable because they are specific to the Town of Sterling and they are within the range of values used in other Massachusetts studies (McGuiness, 1976 and Fouhy, 1981). The total- water use in the watershed is about 23,000 m^/yr (6.1 x 106 gallons) using the 3.04 capita/dwelling value (M.R.P.C., 1982). Because this water comes from deep on-site wells, it is treated as an additional hydraulic load to the lake system. Estimated values of annual water use for each subunit are summarized in Table 27 with other hydraulic loads. Watershed Subunits General Determination of the surface runoff (SR) and groundwater runoff (GR) input to the lake was done using the water balance method of Mather (1979). An example of the format is shown in Table 36 (Appendix 4). The first three lines of the water balance chart were filled in from climatological data described earlier. The next step is an in-depth areal analysis of the hydrologic soil groups (U.S.D.A., Soil Conservation Service, 1980) and land use types (MacConnell, 1972 a and b) within each subunit. Table 34 (Appendix 4) summarizes these conditions in the subunits drained by tributaries while Table 35 does the same for the non-stream subunits. These analyses correspond closely to Table 4 in Mather (1979) which determines a runoff curve number for the various areas under different antecedent moisture conditions (U.S.D.A., S.C.S., 1972). Mather's table does not use the same land use titles as MacConnell and Niedzwiedz (1974) but the descriptions can be used interchangeably. The "antecedent moisture condition" is a rough categorization of the soil moisture content over a short period of time (5 days). On any given day the "antecedent moisture condition" is determined by totalling the amount

91 TABLE 27 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM ANNUAL HYDRAULIC YIELDS FROM SUBUNITS April 1980 - March 1981

MATHER METHOD1 DIRECT METHOD SURFACE GROUNDWATER WATER TOTAL GROUNDWATER AREA RUNOFF RUNOFF2 USE RUNOFF RUNOFF 2 SUBUNIT (km ) (X10V) (XIOV) (X!05m3) UioV) (X105m3) 2 0.332 0.144 1.668 0.000 1.812 0.276 4 0.277 0.163 1.314 0.000 1.476 0.145 5 0.448 0.276 2.126 0.038 2.440 3.401 6 0.383 0.168 1.922 0.007 2.097 2.474 8 0.148 0.074 0.734 0.000 0.807 0.198 9 0.213 0.121 1.046 0.019 1.185 0.944 Subtotal 1.801 0.945 8.809 0.064 9.817 7.438

10 0.205 0.092 0.997 0.006 1.096 -- 11 0.147 0.098 0.660 0.033 0.791 — 12 0.449 0.324 2.107 0.101 2.532 — 13 0.018 0.015 0.084 0.014 0.113 — 14 0.006 0.002 0.030 0.000 0.033 -- 15 0.003 0.002 0.015 0.003 0.019 -- 16 0.023 0.003 0.122 0.012 0.137 _—_ 17 0.004 0.000 0.022 0.000 0.022

Subtotal 0,855 0.536 4.038 0.168 4.742 ._ TOTAL 2.656 1.481 12.847 0.232 14.560 —

1) SOURCE: Mather, 1979 2) Groundwater runoff .includes snowmelt runoff and surplus from Mather's Method 3) Assumes groundwater equals baseflow plus water use for these subunits.

92 of rainfall on the five (5) days just prior to it and comparing that total to the values in Table 28. TABLE 28 SEASONAL FIVE-DAY RAINFALL TOTALS FOR VARIOUS ANTECEDENT MOISTURE CONDITION GROUPS TOTAL 5-DAY ANTECEDENT.RAINFALL ANTECEDENT MOISTURE DORMANT SEASON GROWING SEASON CONDITION GROUPS mm (in) mm (in) I <12.7 «0.5) <35.6 «1.4) II 12.7-27.9 (0.5-1.1) 35.6-53.5 (1.4-2.1) III >27.9 Pl.l) >53.3 (>2.1)

SOURCE: U.S.D.A., S.C.S. (1971).

For this study, the dormant period was taken as September 24 through April 15 with the rest of the year being the growing season. These dates probably vary considerably, but the growing period is consistent with the average for this area (about 160 days). Next, individual rainfall events were looked at to determine whether direct overland runoff occurred and, if it did, how much occurred. It is at this point that "runoff curve numbers" became important. On each rainfall event, individual areas within a subunit were assigned a curve number based on land use type, hydrologic soil group, and the antecedent moisture con- diton for tha.t day. The runoff curve numbers were used in another table (Table 39, Appendix 4) to determine if enough rainfall occurred on the date for overland runoff to commence. Finally, if runoff did occur on a given date, the total daily amount of overland runoff was determined using the runoff curve numbers and daily rainfall totals in the following equations:

S = , 1000 _ (6) Curve Numbe L r 10 n = (P - Q.2S)2 P + 0.8S (7) where Q is the daily direct overland runoff (in inches) and P is the total daily rainfall (in inches). The direct runoff value (line 4, Table 36, Appendix 4) is next subtracted from the monthly precipitation (line 3) to give the amount of effective

93 precipitation available each month (line 5). From this value potential evapotranspiration (line 2) is subtracted and entered in line 6. The next series of calculations become more rigorous, depending on whether the precipitation is in the form of snow or whether potential evapotranspiration exceeds effective precipitation (i.e. line 6 is negative). Those methods, described by Mather (1979) are attached in Appendix 4. Soil moisture storage capacity determinations are also included in Appendix 4. Hydraulic outputs from each subunit are presented in Table 27. Tributaries In the case of the tributaries, measureable discharge represents a combination of the surface runoff (SR) and groundwater runoff (GR) components of Equation 2. Groundwater runoff would show up as baseflow in the tributaries while the surface runoff would result in short term increases in the discharge. Separating surface runoff from groundwater runoff becomes difficult using field data. Actual field discharge measurements generally omitted the surface runoff portion because they usually occurred following substantial antecedent dry periods. Seventeen of twenty dates were classified as antecedent moisture group I. The remaining three were in group II. Thus, the field measurements, although relatively frequent at most sites, were incomplete. For that reason annual tributary discharges calculated from field measurements were used to check the Mather (1979) water budget calculations (Table 27). The Mather (1979) water budget calculation is used as the overall basis for determining the hydraulic inputs from these subunits. It is felt that this method allows for better division of the inputs described in the flow model (Figure 15). It also gives a better basis for judging how changes in the watershed land use might affect the hydraulic and nutrient budgets. To compare discharge results, it is necessary to add the water use in a tributary subunit to the Mather (1979) value for groundwater runoff. That value is already included in the field measurement. Initial comparison of the two methods (Table 27) indicates that agreement between the calculated values and the measured values for individual tributaries seem relatively poor. The values do agree within an order of magnitude and the importance ranking of the tributaries is the same in both sets of results. Finally, the total tributary inflows are about 24% different. Non-stream Subunits In the non-stream subunits, the groundwater runoff component (GR) enters the lake directly. The fact that some groundwater inflow seemed to occur around most of the littoral zone in East Lake Waushacum was indicated by the seepage meter results (Table 8). The two dates sampled (July 8, 1980 and August 6, 1980) both occurred during periods when soil moisture deficits were apparent (Figure 14). Despite the drought conditions at least some flow was recorded at 24 of the 25 sampling sites. The groundwater seepage sampling program was not adequate to make any correlations between

94 the amount of inflow and any possible watershed or climatological controlling factors. It also was not extensive enough to provide enough direct measurements to calculate a reasonable comparison with the Mather (1979) calculations. One conclusion that should not be assumed from the seepage meter data is that groundwater enters the lake everywhere along its bottom. This probably is not the case. Work by Lee (1976) and Connor (1979) indicate that groundwater discharge is highest relatively close to the shore and then declines toward deeper waters. Winter (1976, 1981) suggests that under some conditions groundwater may flow out of lake bottoms. As some of the factors controlling these conditions he lists 1) water table slope downgradient of the lake's immediate drainage, 2) height of the water table on the downgradient side of the lake, 3) characteristics of aquifers, 4) hydraulic conductivity ratios (horizontal to vertical), 5) regional slope, and 6) lake levels. Another author (Meybloom, 1967) has noted that in certain areas of the lake bottom groundwater may flow in during one season and out during others. All of these determinations are beyond the limited scope of this study. If it was every necessary to make such determinations within the East Lake Waushacum watershed, a far more complicated study involving numerous well placements and extensive monitoring would be required. Table 27 lists the inputs to the lake from the non-stream subunits including groundwater (GR), direct surface runoff (SR), and water use, which actually enters via the groundwater. All of these values were obtained using the Mather (1979) calculations. East Lake Waushacum Now that the other elements of the flow model (Figure 15) have been defined, the hydraulic load to and from East Lake Waushacum can be calculated. Hydraulic inputs to the lake are from tributaries #2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 via baseflow (GR) and direct surface runoff (SR), non-stream watershed subunits #10-17 via groundwater seepage (GR) and direct surface runoff (SR), water use from deep groundwater wells, and direct precipitation. The outputs from East Lake Waushacum include natural streamflows at Stations 3 and 7, evapotranspiration, and possibly groundwater seepage. Evaporation from the pond is easily calculated from the potential evapotranspiration values (Table 39, Appendix 4). The remaining elements of the flow model left uncalculated from Equation 2 are surface runoff (SR) and groundwater runoff from the East Lake Waushacum system. Surface runoff (SR) from outlet #3 occurred only during high water in the spring and so its discharge was only measured in the field on two occa- sions. Although it would seem to represent a small portion of the outflow, these data limitations make it impossible to tell exactly. Although Station 7 was the primary outlet, field measurements there were limited because of the intermittent release policy at the control struc-

95 ture. Fortunately a lakeshore resident kept records of the periods when the gate was opened and closed along with measurements of the lake level (Mr. Walter Parks, personal communication, February 27, 1982). A listing of these data appears in Table 40 (Appendix 4). In addition, a rating curve for the outlet structure was obtained from the Metropolitan District Commission (1980). Using the lake level data (Parks, 1982) a net increase in lake volume of 3.7 - 8.9 X 104 m3 at the end of the study year was determined. Next, an approximate discharge of 1.677 X 10^ m3 was calculated from the outlets (#3 and #7, combined) using the rating curve (M.O.C,, 1980) and valve opening and closing dates (Parks, 1982). These values were then utilized in calculating the hydraulic budget for the lake (Table 29).

Hydraulic Budget Elements of the flow model (Figure 15) have been summarized in Tab]_e 29 along with their contributions to the hydraulic load for East Lake Waushacum. Of the hydraulic inputs to the lake direct precipitation provided about 34%. Tributaries contributed about 44% of the hydraulic load to the lake. The total tributary volume was made up of about 90% baseflow (i.e., groundwater into the streams), about 10% direct surface runoff and about 1% water use (i.e., septic systems). Non-stream subunits contributed about 21% of the inflow from April 1980 - March 1981. This vdlume was divided into about 86% groundwater, about 11% direct surface runoff and about 3% "water use. When these same volumes .are translated into percentages of the total direct input into the lake, direct groundwater (as opposed to tributary baseflow) inputs about 18%, direct surface runoff (as opposed to that running off via tributaries) added about 2%, and direct septic system leachates (i.e., water use) contributed only about 1%. Evaporation outputs from the lake were about 21% of the total output. Station 3 discharged about 2% of the total during the study year and Station 7 released about 77%. The surplus volume calculated by subtracting the yearly outputs from the yearly inputs was about 3.7 X 10^ m3. This small surplus is easily explained by the surplus range indicated by the rise in lake level after the study year. The fact that outputs balanced inputs so closely indicates that groundwater outflows seem to be minimal at least for the study year. The lake retention time for the year under study (Table 29) was 1.72 years. An important concept that may be estimated using the retention time is the "response time." This term, described by Dillon and Rigler (1975) is calculated using the equation:

t]/2 = ln2/U + io/z) (8) T

96 TABLE 29 EAST LAKE WALJSHACUM HYDRAULIC BUDGET April 1980 - March 1981 VOLUME SOURCE (X106meters3) Inputs Direct Precipitation +0.75 Tributary Subunits (1.801 km3) Surface Runoff (SR) 0.094 Baseflow (GR) 0.881 Water Use 0.007 Total 0.092 Non-stream Subunits )0.855 km3) Surface Runoff (SR) 0.052 Groundwater (GR) 0.403 Water Use 0.016 Total +0.471

Total Inputs +2.210 Outputs Direct Evaporation -0.451 Outlet Discharges (Sta. 3) -0.045 Outlet Discharge (Sta. 7) -1.677

-2.173 Calculated Net Change (Inputs-Outpurs) -0.037 Observed Surplus* (Lake Level Increase X Surface Area) +0.037-0.089 Retention Time (Lake Volume/Outlet Discharge**) 1.71 yrs

* A range is given because the lake level was not actually measured on March 31, 1981. **0utlet discharges = discharge from Stations 3 and 7.

97 where ty? is the half-life of the change in concentration of a give consti- tuent, T is the retention time in years and Z is the mean depth in meters. Three to five times the half-life is considered a good indicator of the response time in a lake. For East Lake Waushacum calculations show the half-life to be 0.22 years. This translates into a response time of 0.67 to 1.10 years; meaning the pond will reflect changes in nutrient loading rather quickly. Thus, increases in nutrient additions from unmanaged development or decreases in direct nutrient sources will be rapidly reflected in the lake's water quality.

Nutrient Budget Because of data limitations, some of the nutrient concentrations used in the East Lake Waushacum nutrient budget are taken from literature. Included in that category are precipitation and septic system effluent. Nutrient loads from tributary, direct runoff, groundwater and internal sources were calculated using observed values. This budget also omits some input sources that are usually minor and are difficult to estimate. A list would include lawn fertilizer runoff, wastes from wildlife (primarily ducks), pet droppings, deciduous leaf litter, automobile washing, and many other activities associated with cultural development. Nutrient concentrations in wet precipitation (Table 41, Appendix 5) were based on volume weighted means from data collected for the first six months of 1980 by the Electric Power Research Institute (Mueller, 1981) at their site in Montague, Massachusetts. Dry precipitation was estimated to be three times the total phosphorus load from wet precipitation and twice the inorganic nitrogen load (Uttormark, et. al., 1974). Several assumptions had to be made when calculating the nutrient loads from septic systems (Table 42, Appendix 5) using a method described by McGuinness (1976). When possible, these assumptions were based on knowledge of conditions in the watershed. When little or no supporting data were available, conservative assumptions (i.e., those favoring good nutrient removal capabilities) were used to de-emphasize the effects of septic system loading in the nutrient budget. The intent is to show that if these lower septic system loads are a significant part of the total load then higher loads would only magnify the problem. The method used in this study to estimate nutrient loads from septic systems involved calculating the longevity of septic systems by determining the volume of soil available for phosphorus attenuation between the application site and the lake (McGuinness, 1976). It was assumed, conser- vatively, that all dwellings in the watershed have leach fields in soils with the maximum percolation rate allowable under Title 5 (30 minutes/inch). At that percolation rate 3.0 ft2 of bottom area per gallon of effluent per day are necessary for effective leach field construction (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 1976). From this requirement hypothetical leach field designs were calculated (Table 42, Appendix 5) using a per

98 dwelling effluent load of 167.2 gallons/day (55 gallons/capita/day, Fair et. al., 1971 and 3.04 capita/dwelling, M.R.P.C., 1982). A conservative assumption inherent in this method was that all dwellings were designed for year-round use. An effective soil depth of 2 feet was based on the maximum depth to hardpan or rock for the major soil groups in the developed areas of the watershed. The product of minimum and maximum hypothetical leach field lengths and the 2 foot depth yielded cross-sectional area ranges to which effluent was applied. The remaining factors in determining septic system longevity are noted in Table 42 (Appendix 5). Once septic system longevity ranges had been calculated they were applied to dwellings in each subunit. Dwelling ages and setback distances (from the lake) were determined using U.S.G.S. topographic maps—Sterling (1968 and 1979) and Clinton (1965 and 1979) Quadrangles (7.5 minute series)--and on-site observations. The entire annual phosphorus load from each dwelling whose longevity had been exceeded (by their age and setback distance) was added to the lake nutrient budget. In cases where the age and setback distance fell within the longevity range (Table 42, Appendix 5) the load was adjusted accordingly. Tributary nutrient loads were calculated using the monthly hydraulic loads (baseflow) and observed nutrient concentrations. Since these concentrations represent groundwater feeding the tributaries, the average tributary concentrations were projected to non-stream subunits with similar use .characteristics (Table 43, Appendix 5). These same nutrient concentrations were applied-to direct runoff because no sampling was done during storm events. Under storm runoff conditions, the concentrations are normally higher. Nutrient export rates were also calculated from the observed concentrations for each subunit (Table 43, Appendix 5) to compare with literature values. Literature values were taken from reviews, by Loehr (1974) and Browne (1979), which relate nutrient export rates by land use type. Because site descriptions are brief in the reviews, only three general categories were selected for comparison. Those categories were: forests (including woodlands), residential land (including single family and large lot single family categories), and open land (including idle and pasture land). Agricultural land was omitted as a category because the only agricultural land in the East Lake Waushacum watershed is orchards (either active or abandoned). It was felt that this use was more closely akin to the forest or open categories in the literature reviews than to the agricultural categories. The agricultural categories referred to in the reviews are croplands. Total phosphorus export rate ranges for forests are reported as 0.20-0.067 kg/ha/yr (Browne, 1979) and 0.03-0.09 kg/yr/ha (Loehr, 1974). For total nitrogen the ranges for forests are 1-6.3 kg/ha/yr (Browne, 1979) and 3-13 kg/yr/ha. In the case of residential land total phosphorus is exported at rates from 1.48-7.3 kg/ha/yr (Browne, 1979). Open areas have export rates

99 ranging from 0.02-0.67 kg/ha/yr for total phosphorus and from 0,5-6.2 kg/ha/yr for total nitrogen (Browne, 1979). It is notable that there is a considerable overlap in the ranges between the three land use categories. Only the export rate of total phosphorus from residential land is noticeably higher than from forest or open lands. Comparing the East Lake Waushacum watershed subunit export rates with those from the literature reviews shows that they are all within the ranges of export rates of forest or open lands. This agreement generally supports the accuracy of the calculated export rates in that all but three of the sub- nits (13, 15, and 16) are predominantly covered by forest and/or open land use types. The three remaining subunits are comprised mainly of residential land so their calculated export rates (particularly for total phosphorus) may be somewhat low relative to literature values. The subunits, however, make up such a small area relative to the total watershed that higher export rates would have little effect on the overall load to the lake. Internal loading calculations were based on data from two sampling dates (August 20 and September 4, 1980) when ph'osphorus concentrations in the hypolimnion were elevated. The specific calculations for internal phosphorus loading are in Table 44 (Appendix 5). No marked elevation in nitrogen values was noted in the hypolimnion at any time so no internal nitrogen loading was calculated. In Table 30, internal phosphorus loading is .separated from the external loading sources. This is done because the internal loading is a seasonal phenomenon and it does not ultimately affect the annual mass balance (nutrients) of the lake. There is an annual net input of phosphorus to the lake which indicates that phosphorus is lost to the sediments. Nutrient masses leaving the lake via the two outlets (Stations 3 and 7) were calculated from the hydraulic values (Table 29) and concentrations measured during the study. Calculations are recorded in Table 43 (Appendix 5). Table 30 gives a breakdown of the major nutrient loads to and from East Lake Waushacum from April 1980 through March 1981. Percentages of the total external load are shown diagrammatically in Figure 16. With respect to phosphorus loads, septic systems contributed about 64% of the total load from April 1980 through March 1981. The six tributary subunits combine to add about 19% of the total phosphorus. The non-stream subunits comprised approximately 9%; leaving about 8% of the total phosphorus loading to precipitation (wet and dry). Breaking the phosphorus loads down into more discrete categories indicates that permanent homes in the non-stream subunits account for more than half (about 52%) of the total during the study year. The next highest category of phosphorus loading is about 17% from baseflow out of the six tributary subunits. Following that, at about 8% each, are loads from septic systems of seasonal homes in non-stream subunits and groundwater from non-stream subunits.

100 TABLE 30 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM NUTRIENT BUDGET SUMMARY April 1980 - March 1981 TOTAL TOTAL SOURCE PHOSPHORUS (kg) NITROGEN (kg) External Loads - Total 215.5 3391 Precipitation - total 18.2 1317 Wet 4.54 439 Dry 13.63 878 Septic Systems - Total 137.8 575 Tribs - Permanent 3,4 18.4 - Seasonal 0.0 2.3 N.S. - Permanent 117.3 460.0 - Seasonal 17.0 94.3 Tributary Subunits - Total 40.2 965 Direct 4.25 100.2 Baseflow 35.93 864.8 Non-Stream Subunits - Total 19.3 534 Direct 2.8 66.9 Baseflow 16.5 466.8 Internal Loading - Total 13.4 Outputs - Total 68.7 Station 3 4.0 33 Station 7 64.7 796 Net Input 146.8 2562 (68%) (76%}

NOTE: Tribs = tributary subunits; N.S. = Non-stream subunits

101 r

LAKESHORE SEPTIC SYSTEM LEACHATES TRIBUTARIES (6)

Water 1% Woter 44% TP 64% TP 19% Water....34% TN 17% TN 28% TP. 8% TN 39%

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

DIRECT GROUNDWATER DIRECT SURFACE RUNOFF

Water 18% Water 3% TP. 8% TP. 1% TN 14% TN 2% LEGEND

TP = TOTAL PHOSPHORUS TN = TOTAL NITROGEN LOADS EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAll LOADS

'DEQE-DWPC-. Technical Services Branch, EAST LAKE WAUSHACUMi Figure 16 LOAD RANGES INTO E. LAKE WAUSHACUM Total nitrogen loads (Table 30} show that the largest contribution during the study year was from wet and dry precipitation combined (about 39%). The six tributary subunits added about 28% of the total nitrogen load. The remaining total nitrogen loads were'from septic systems and non-stream subunits at about 17% and about 16%, respectively. Analyses of the sub-categories of total nitrogen loading indicate that dry precipitation and tributary subunit baseflow (six areas combined) each accounted for about 26% of the annual load. Next in importance were septic systems from permanent homes in non-stream subunits and groundwater from non-stream subunits at about 14% each. As expected, most of the nutrient outputs (over 90%) from the lake were via outlet #7 (Table 30). The outputs of total phosphorus and total nitrogen during the study year amounted to only 32% and 24% of the total inputs, respectively. This is a positive sign for the lake because it indicates retention of these nutrients (primarily in the sediments). As lakes reach advanced stages of eutrophication, nutrients are flushed through the lake so that output loads approximately equal input loads. The internal total phosphorus loading value of 13.4 kg over the study year represents about 6% of the total input or about 9% of the net input. Even on a seasonal basis when circulated into the main body of the lake, this load is rather small compared to other sources. It seems obvious from the above comparisons that the most important source of total phosphorus to East Lake Waushacum is from septic systems of permanent homes in the non-stream subunits. They are less important as sources of total nitrogen. It is important to stress that the loading values calculated above are based on conservative assumptions when it was possible. Thus, these septic system loads are most probably lower than actual values. With the determination that septic systems are the major source of total phosphorus to East Lake Waushacum, it is easiest to address their rehabili- tation as the most feasible way to preserve/restore the lake. This intent is supported by the fact that phosphorus is generally easier to control than nitrogen in lake watershed management programs. As a means of comparing different phosphorus control strategies it is easiest to apply the phosphorus loading values toward a trophic status model. A model developed by Dillon, Rigler and Kirchner (Dillon and Rigler, 1975 and Dillon and Kirchner, 1975) has been selected as adequate for the purpose of this study. This method figures "critical loads" for the lake by assuming that an inlake phosphorus concentration of 0.01 mg/l is the critical boundary between oligotrophic and mesotrophic and 0.02 mg/l is critical between mesotrophic and eutrophic. These values are substituted into the equation

P = LT (1 - R) (g)

103 where P is the phosphorus concentration (mg/1), L is the annual phosphorus loading rate (gm/m^/yr), tis the retention time (yr), Z is the mean depth (m), and R is the ratio of the phosphorus load retained in the lake to the total input load. The R value can be determined in two ways. The first is using calculated loads in the equation

R = Mi - Mo (10) Mi where Mi is mass (kg) of phosphorus in and Mo is mass (kg) of phosphorus out, The second method is to use the following formula developed by Kirchner and Dillon (1975). R = 0.426e (-0.27lZ/t) + 0.574e (-0.00949I/T) (11) In the case of East Lake Waushacum, the first method yields an R value of 0.68 and the second a value of 0.79 (calculations in Table 45, Appendix 5). Using the two R values and solving Equation 9 for the "critical loading rates (1)" at each of the trophic boundaries (i.e., oligotrophic- mesotrophic and mesotrophic-eutrophic) gives a range of values (Table 45, Appendix 5). Multiplying these loading rates by the lake surface area gives the range of permissible annual phosphorus load to East Lake Waushacum (Table 31). TABLE 31

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

SUMMARY OF DILLON-RIGLER-KIRCHNER DETERMINATIONS

TROPHIC STATUS BOUNDARIES

OLIGO-MESOTROPHIC MESO-EUTROPHIC Critical Loading (gm/m2/yr) 0.73-0.111 0.145-0.222 Permissible Load (kg/yr) 54-82 108-164 LT(l-R). (gm/m2) 0.04 0.08 The last analysis in Table 30 is to apply the critical loading rates (L) with the appropriate R values _tajcalculate LT(l-R). This value is plotted against the lake's mean depth (Z - 4.0 m) in Figure 17. That figure is now used as a comparison for present and possible future conditions in East Lake Waushacum. Current conditions in East Lake Waushacum are calculated and plotted onto Figure 17 in the same manner as above using data from Table 30. Using either R value (0.68 or 0.79) the lake falls into the low eutrophic cate-

104 0.3 X X

L= 0.363 / 0.2. R= 0.63 A / X o X ft = 0.68 X X A ^ R--0.79

.09- 1 = 0.79 .08- L=O.I05 .07. 'R=0.68

N e .06.

tt .05- X X i / X X £ .04- L = 0.105 X R=0.79

.03-

.02.

X .01 -i—i—T—r— 7 8 9 10 20

MEAN DEPTH (m)

O Curre'nt Loading Rote

Q No Septic System A Future Loods (-HOyrs.

imm^ DEQE • DWPC- Technical Services Branch

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM ^^m^mm

Pim.ro DILLON-RIGLER TROPHIC MODEL rigure WAUSHACUM

105 gory. The average, volume weighted, phosphorus concentration in the lake over the study period was 0.039 mg/1 and it seems to corroborate this trophic status determination. If that value is substituted into Equation 9, the range of loading rates is 0.283-0.432 gm/m2/yr. The rate calculated -using data from Table 30 (0.29 gm/m2/yr) falls within this range. When the above rates are used with their corresponding R values to calculate L (1-R), they yield the same value, 0.156 gm/m^ (Figure 17). To stress the importance of septic system phosphorus as a loading source to East Lake Waushacum, their load was subtracted from the total phosphorus load (Table 30). Loading rates were again calculated (adjusting for the reduction in hydraulic input and output from the septic systems) and plotted in Figure 17. Clearly the trophic status would be below eutrophic without the septic system loads. A similar exercise was also calculated and plotted for possible future loads from septic systems (Figure 17). In that calculation, it was assumed that all homes within about 30 m (100 ft) of the lake were converted to permanent dwellings and that 10 years had elapsed to saturate the phosphorus attenuation capacity of the soils. Again the impact of the septic systems is marked as the most likely target for preservation/ restoration efforts. The importance of other nutrient sources analyzed in this study is overshad- owed by the septic system inputs. Reduction of those sources would have little or no relative effect on the loading rate as long as the septic system inputs exist. This does not preclude the importance of applying good watershed management techniques around East Lake Waushacum. With the conditions noted in this study, the lake is close to a borderline trophic status and any reduction in loads could swing the balance. It should also be kept in mind that some loading sources which were only estimated and others which were not analyzed could be important. Direct runoff, lawn fertilizers, and leaf litter are only a few that fit into those categories.

106 CONCLUSIONS 1. East Lake Waushacum, located in Sterling, Massachusetts, is a thermally stratified lake of 74.3 hectares (184 acres). Although classified as oligotrophic using the Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control's Lake Classification System, the lake is beginning to show signs of accelerated eutrophication. Oxygen depletion in the hypolimnion, moderate levels of total phosphorus in the epilimnion, and more frequent occurrence of algal masses in littoral areas during the summer are indicative of the phenomenon. In contrast, aquatic vegetation remains sparse throughout most of the lake, in-lake phytoplankton populations remain low and transparency is still excellent. 2. Trophic status model determinations as well as observed indicators suggest that East Lake Waushacum is actually close to the borderline between mesotrophic and eutrophic. This means that changes in the balance of loading, either increased or decreased, should have a marked effect on the lake. 3. East Lake Waushacum is fed hydrologically via direct precipitation, surface runoff and baseflow from six intermittent tributaries, surface and groundwater runoff from eight non-stream subunits, and water use contributions from homes. Based on a study period from April 1980 through March 1981, direct precipitation accounted for about 34% of the hydraulic input. About 44% was via the tributaries (including surface runoff and baseflow) and about 21% from non-stream subunits (3% by surface runoff and 18% by groundwater). Only about 1% of the hydraulic load to East Lake Waushacum was from water use by homeowners. • 4. Nutrient budget estimates, using conservative assumptions (i.e., good nutrient removal rates) when necessary, gave overwhelming evidence that septic systems (particularly from permanent homes) were the major source of total phosphorus (about 64% of the total input). Septic systems were less important as a total nitrogen source (about 17% of the total load). Other nutrient contributions were from direct precipitation (about 8% of the total phosphorus and about 39% of the total nitrogen), surface runoff and baseflow in tributaries (about 19% of the total phosphorus and about 28% of the total nitrogen), direct surface runoff (about 1%; total phosphorus and about 2%; total nitrogen) and groundwater (about 8%; total phosphorus and about 14%; total nitrogen). 5. Nutrient outputs from the lake were relatively low (about 32% of the total phosphorus input and about 24% of the total nitrogen input). This indicates that a substantial amount of nutrients are still being stored in the lake and that the lake has not reached an advanced stage of eutrophication. Internal loading of phosphorus, which occurred during the summer, was approximately equal to 6% of the input load. Internal loading of nitrogen was not observed. 6. A low response time of 0.7-1.1 years means that changes (positive or negative) in the nutrient loads should be manifested rather quickly in East Lake Waushacum.

107 FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS

Introduction

The preservation/restoration alternatives to be considered for East Lake Waushacum fall under two general headings: watershed techniques and in-lake techniques. Watershed techniques address the problems of external nutrient loading to the lake and usually result in long term future improvements. In-lake techniques are often short term in nature, addressing the existing visible problems. An effective preservation/restoration program combines both approaches.

Table 32 summarizes the pertinent facts about the preservation/restoration alternatives which are considered for East Lake Waushacum. A more in-depth review of each alternative follows in the text.

Watershed Techniques

In comparing strategies for reducing accelerated eutrophication in East Lake Waushacum phosphorus was considered to be the target nutrient. Priorities were given to those techniques which could eliminate more of the phosphorus load. Phosphorus was chosen because of its low environmental concentration relative to other major plant nutrients (carbon and nitrogen) and because it is more easily controlled than either carbon or nitrogen. •

Septic Systems The nutrient budget determination for the diagnostic study period (April 1980-March 1981) indicates overwhelmingly that septic systems are currently the major controllable source of phosphorus to East Lake Waushacum. Although less important as a source of nitrogen, they are a controllable source for that nutrient as well. Projections are that septic system contributions will increase in the future for two reasons. First, developmental pressure will increase through construction of new lakeshore dwellings or conversion of seasonal dwellings to permanent without upgrading of septic systems. Second, the phosphorus attenuation capacities of soils down-gradient from existing septic systems will decrease causing more systems to contribute to the lake. Alternatives available for reducing the septic system load to the lake cover all ranges of effectiveness, complexity, and cost. Table 32 lists several methods which will be discussed below. Leachate Detection Tests The leachate detector is a device used from within the lake to locate groundwater leachate plumes entering the lake. The device consists of a

108 TABLE 32

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

POSSIBLE PRESERVATION/RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES NUTRIENT CONTROL TECHNICAL 1983 COST USE AT TECHNIQUE EFFECTIVENESS FEASIBILITY ESTIMATE E.L.W 1) Leachate Detector Does not apply; Locates problem system. $7,000 1 Done in-lake. 2) Dye Tests Does not apply. Locates problem system, Hundreds - 2 but not 'as sensitive Thousands as the detector. Board (see text) of Health and citizen cooperation needed. 3) Bylaws a) No Further Development Limits future increases Collectively bylaw Minimal ll changes depend on b) Alternative System Limits future increases citizen support and Minimal 1 t-1 Requirements local government o willingness. c). Zoning Changes Limited future control. Minimal 2

4) Preinstallation Testing Limited reduction and These should already Minimal 1

prevention. be in practice * 5) Septic System Maintenance Improves hydraulic Should be part of best Minimal 1 efficiency of system. management practices. i 2 6) Phosphate Detergent Ban About 50% reduction in Requires education or Minimal 1 P load from systems. bylaw and voluntary support to be effective, 7) Septage Management Program Only about 5£ reduction Requires complex organi- Tens of in P load from systems, zation between town, thousands improves hydraulics. septage haulers, and treatment facilities. 1 Interim technique 2 DWPC {undated a) TABLE 32 (CONTINUED) NUTRIENT CONTROL TECHNICAL 1983 COST USE AT TECHNIQUE EFFECTIVENESS FEASIBILITY ESTIMATE E.L.W. 8) Sewering Almost 100% reduction At present the town Millions N/A in P load from systems will not consider sewering.

9} Community Septic System Variable (see text). No suitable land Several I3 is available at hundred present. thousand 10) Alternative On-site systems Variable (see text). Needs a bylaw. Variable 1 a) Required Replacement Needs education (see text) b) Voluntary Replacement program and local support. 11) Wetlands Protection Preserves existing Best handled by bylaws Minimal natural filters. and enforcement of Wet- lands Protection Act. 12) Public Education/Awareness Augments other alter- Requires local support $25-30,000 1 Program natives, no direct and consultant services control. 13) Spot Algaecide Treatment None; controls a symptom, Some hazard to bathers $100-200/acre 2 after treatment. Possible limited environmental hazards. 14) Hypolimnetic Treatment Reduces internal . Complex treatment $50-100,000 N/A loading. methods offer limited control of nutrients in this case. 15) Outboard Restrictions Possibly limits internal Requires bylaw changes Minimal loading. and enforcement.

3 Used if land becomes available probe with a pump attached to draw water through the metering equipment. The water is monitored for fluorescence and specific conductance and compared against background conditions in the pond. Deviations from background levels show up as peaks on a strip chart attached to the meters. By moving the probe slowly around.the lake perimeter either in a boat or on foot, plumes from septic systems or other groundwater sources may be located and their relative strengths determined. Although this technique would not directly reduce any loading source to East Lake Waushacum, it would be an important first step. The test could locate the worst cases of septic system loading and give a better idea of the extent of the septic system loading problem. Once detected, problem cases should be mitigated either through voluntary compliance or board of health action. This test procedure, as with most of the suggestions in this report, will be most effective if a public education/awareness program is carried out in conjunction with it. The town, through its Board of Health and/or Conservation Commission, and the East Lake Waushacum Association should be involved in such a program. An estimated cost for a leachate detection study of East Lake Waushacum would run about $7,000. This is a conservative (high) estimate which includes the survey itself, lab analyses for verifying water quality samples and a report of the results. Tests Dye tests are also used to detect septic system leachate problems. In these tests dye is flushed into the septic tank/system and observations are made as to whether it reaches the lake and how long it takes. This type of testing is less effective than the leachate detector for several reasons. First, the dye only tends to reach the lake under the worst septic system conditions (I.e., failing) because it is dissipated in the soil. Thus, its sensitivity is far less than the leachate detector. Second, it may take a long observation period to detect the dye reaching the lake. If the dye reaches the lake at night or is very weak on arrival, it could go unobserved without the use of detection instruments. Lastly, it requires some minor inconvenience to the homeowner who must voluntarily allow dye to be flushed down the toilet. This type of testing is much less costly than the leachate detector. Depending on whether volunteers, town board of health employees, or con- sultants do the work and, depending on whether it is necessary to purchase dye detection equipment, the test could cost only a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. As with the leachate detection study, an education/awareness program ought to accompany a dye testing program. This method is only recommended for East Lake Waushacum if the leachate detector study is not done. ill Bylaws Adoption of any of the following bylaws would have minimal costs associated with it. They are all, however, contingent on public and local government support and willingness to enact them. Public education as to their importance would be essential to their effectiveness. No Further Development The most drastic bylaw that could be adopted for the East Lake Waushacum watershed would be cessation of any new development or conversions within 90 m (about 300 feet) of the lakeshore. This alternative assumes that the area will not be sewered in the near future. This type of bylaw would have no effect on reducing loads from the septic systems already in existence. It would, however, serve to protect the lake from future loading increases. In the model used earlier (Figure 17), future phosphorus loading projections involving only conversions within 30 m (about 100 feet) of the shore show that the lake cannot tolerate more development without having an adverse effect on the water quality. Alternative System Requirements A less drastic approach to protecting the lake from development would be to require that certain acceptable alternative on-site wastewater disposal systems be used. The bylaw should state that any new development, conversions or failing systems would have to use an alternative wastewater disposal system (discussed later) instead of the traditional subsurface septic tank/system. Acceptable systems would also need to be stated in the bylaw. This type of bylaw would have effects similar to the "no development" bylaw with one exception. Replacement of failing systems with alternative systems would reduce some of the existing phosphorus load to the lake. A major drawback to this bylaw is that alternative systems would have to be approved the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Environmental Quality Engineering (1976). Currently there are only a few acceptable alternatives. Zoning Changes Changes in zoning regulations in the watershed would limit new development somewhat and thus reduce future loading. It would have no effect on current loads nor would it effect future increases from conversions. If zoning bylaws are to be changed they ought to allow nothing less than one and a half acre lots, assuming subsurface disposal of wastewater. This would at least minimize future increases in septic system loading. This alternative without any other controls on development will not help to preserve the lake.

112 Pre-lnstallation Testing Prior to the installation of septic systems, it is required under Title 5 that percolation tests be carried out on the proposed sites. Soils are considered suitable if water percolates at a rate no greater than 30 minutes per inch and no less than 10 minutes per inch (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, DEQE, 1976). Generally, these tests are carried out under the supervision of the local board of health using specified methods to insure worst case hydraulic conditions. If the site does not pass this test, it is deemed unsuitable for a septic system and either another site must be found or no system can be installed. Two specific problems arise with regard to the "perc" test and its effectiveness near lakes. First, the methodologies to carry out an accurate test are rather involved and can be time consuming. It is easy to abbre- viate the methods in the interest of time and money. Because of those short-cuts, false results can be obtained which could allow improper siting and design of septic systems. Second, "perc" tests only measure the hydraulic efficiency of the soils. In most cases close to lakes even hydraulically efficient sites (i.e., passing "perc" test) are not effective in keeping nutrients out of the lake. Proper methods of performing the "perc" test should be adhered to at all times. This includes proper construction of the test hole and adequate pre-soaking of the hole. A better practice is to test during the highest groundwater condi'tions (usually spring). In addition, it would be advisable to consult soil specialists for the limitations of specific sites. Observance of the above precautions should be the Town of Sterling's responsibility and, in particular, the board of health. In fact, these procedures should already be in use. As a procedure for reducing nutrient loads to East Lake Waushacum, the strict observance of "perc" test procedures will have little effect. This is mentioned only as the least effective alternative that should be used if no others are adopted. Costs involved in this alternative would be minimal. Septic System Maintenance If homeowners properly maintain septic systems, they can increase the system's efficiency for removing nutrients somewhat and reduce chances of failures. Because they are not easily enforceable, best maintenance practices for septic system use should be part of an education/awareness program to lakeshore homeowners. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Water Pollution Control (undated a) has a publication available that summarizes many of these practices. Phosphate Detergent Ban Perhaps the single largest contributor of phosphorus to domestic wastewater is from dishwasher and laundry detergents. It is estimated that elimi- nating the use of phosphate detergents and cleaners in a household can

113 reduce the phosphorus load to a septic system by 50% (D.W.P.C., undated, b). Although it is not the ultimate answer to the problem, a reduction of this type in all of the dwellings near East Lake Waushacum would be an important step toward reducing the trophic status into the mesotrophic range (see Figure 17). Ideally, the cost of a phosphate ban within the East Lake Waushacum watershed would be minimal. The greatest cost might be in educating homeowners as to the importance of complying. The major problem involved with instating a phosphate detergent ban is public support of enforcement. If the ban is handled by voluntary effort, it would require a good education/awareness program to reach and convince the majority of the watershed residents. The East Lake Waushacum Association could be a major force in that type of program. If the ban is to be imposed by the town, it will be difficult to enforce without resident support. Septage Management Program Pumping of septic tanks should be a regular practice to maintain properly operating septic systems (D.W.P.C., undated, a). At a minimum, it should be done every three years for permanent homes. If operating problems are found, it should occur annually/ Ideally the individual homeowner has the responsibility to see that pumping is done, but in reality very few will maintain a regular pumping schedule. A better way to ensure regular septic tank pumping is by developing a septage management program. This type of program requires keeping accurate records on how often pumping occurs, how much is pumped, who did the pumping, and where the septage was delivered. Presumably this is best handled by a town employee. Details of such a program also have to be worked out with septage haulers, a treatment facility to handle the septage, and local homeowners as to what kinds of monitoring and enforcement will be necessary to maintain program efficiency. All of these details would need to be worked out either by town officials or by a hired consultant prior to putting them into operation. The importance of a septage management program is in maximizing Septic system efficiency and minimizing failures. As a nutrient removal technique, it has little value. Recent estimates (I.E.P., Inc., 1983) show that, at best, only 5% of the phosphorus load from septic system effluent can be removed by annual pumping. For this reason, a septage management program is advisable only as a preventative technique assuming no other alternatives are adopted to mitigate septic system loading. Sewering Perhaps the best alternative for completely removing phosphorus loading from septic systems is to sewer the East Lake Waushacum watershed or at least a 300-500 ft. perimeter of the lake. Various alternatives to the sewer needs in Sterling were addressed in a report by Anderson-Nichols and

114 Company, Inc. (1977). Although the report did not specifically refer to the East Lake Waushacum area, it did review technical and economic con- siderations involved in sewering the town. As expected, cost estimates were very high (several million dollars). Since that report, the town has chosen not to consider sewering as an alternative for Sterling. If in the future the town reconsiders sewering, it would be necessary to first have a facility plan drawn up for the town prior to implementation. Should such a plan be undertaken, it is strongly recommended that the East Lake Waushacum watershed be included. Communi ty Septic Systems Another good technique for reducing septic system loads to the lake would be the use of community septic systems. This method involves collecting septic tank effluents from groups of houses to a common treatment area; either a small treatment plant (package plant) or a leach field. To effec- tively reduce loads to the lake, the area should be far removed from the lake, preferably out of the watershed. In the case of the East Lake Waushacum watershed, this will require pumping because of the topography. The major technical problem with a community septic system is finding a suitable parcel, or parcels of land for the treatment area(s). It is apparent from the land use analyses in this report that there are none currently available within the East Lake Waushacum watershed. Further review of town properties near the watershed should be undertaken to determine if sites are available. If none are available, this alternative could- only become feasible if land were purchased by or donated to the town in the future. Development of a community septic system could be best handled by the town although local support is, again, necessary for maximum success. Prior to building such a system, final analyses and designs of the system(s) would be necessary. The cost of such a study could be up to $100,000 depending on the number of systems developed and their complexity. The construction of the systems themselves could cost several hundred thousand dollars excluding individual attachment costs. Alternative On-Site Systems* The greatest problems with getting people to use alternative techniques are the resistance to change and the aesthetic problems with some techniques. In general, two avenues are available for replacement of septic systems. First, the town may require that failing systems, conversion homes or new

* Information for this section was taken from the following sources: M.A.P.C. (1979) ; Notini, et al. (1981); and Silberman (1977). Cost estimates were adjusted from the above sources using a 10% per annum infla- tion rate.

115 homes install some type of alternative system. This requires bylaws and enforcement. Second, replacement could be on a voluntary basis. This method would require an extensive education/awareness program and probably some type of incentive program to have any degree of effectiveness. In either of the above cases, most costs for replacement by alternative systems will be incurred by the individual homeowner. A wide range of alternative onsite systems are available on the market today. The following brief discussion should help to explain some of the pertinent advantages, disadvantages, and costs of each. Aerobic Treatment Units In aerobic systems the domestic wastewater is treated through aerobic digestion when microorganisms are mixed into the system in the presence of oxygen. Settling and/or filtration allows the supernatant to be removed for surface or subsurface discharge. The nutrient removal rate is better than conventional septic systems, but there is still a discharge. In addition, pumping out of the sludge is necessary every 2-3 years. A disadvantage to this method is that it has mechanical, moving parts which may breakdown and require additional.operation and maintenance costs. Also, a service contract may be required prior to state approval of use. The initial cost of installing an aerobic system is $1800-7100 depending on size. This does not include costs of disposing of the treated effluent, pumping, or operation and maintenance. Chemical Recirculating System A chemical fluid substitute to water is contained in this closed-circuit wastewsater system. The solids are separated from the fluid and removed to a holding tank for periodic pumping. The fluid is filtered and purified prior to recirculation. This system has many more disadvantages than advantages. It does reduce the level of water use and some of the wastes, but it requires frequent pumping of the holding tank, requires an alternative means of disposing of the graywater (non-toilet wastes) and has a complex mechanical system. In addition, use of this method has been discouraged by the state. Initial costs are also fairly high ($5,300-8,000, excluding pumping). Incinerator Toilets With these devices, toilet solid wastes are burned and liquid wastes are evaporated using either gas or electricity. The remaining sterile ash needs to be disposed of periodically. Graywater must be disposed of via another means.

116 These systems have the advantages of using little water and producing little solid waste. Disadvantages are that they have complex mechanisms, have high power requirements, and produce some odor when burning. Incinerator toilets are not described in the State Sanitary Code (Commonwealth of Massachusetts, DEQE, 1976) so they may be approved if they do not impact public health or the environment any more than approved systems. Costs for installing an incinerator toilet would run from $1,400-1,800. Annual operating costs may be high because of the energy requirements. Composting Toilets Composting toilets rely on biological decomposition by micro-organisms to reduce human wastes (from toilets) and kitchen wastes (garbage) into humus. The unit consists of a sealed bin, usually in the basement, which is vented to the atmosphere. The only maintenance required is to occasionally remove some of the compost (useable in gardening) and to take care that no toxic substances enter the system. As with most of the previous systems, graywater must be disposed of by another method. Composting toilets have advantages over previously mentioned systems in that they can handle garbage and they are relatively simple (i.e., no moving parts). The major disadvantages are related to their installation requirements. They require a large area in the basement, they must be positioned to receive bathroom and kitchen wastes and to allow compost removal, and, under cold weather conditions, they may require insulation. Approval for use of composting systems can be given by the local board of health provided there is a suitable area onsite for a subsurface disposal or access to a sanitary sewer. At least one such unit is currently in use around East Lake Waushacum. The costs of installing this type of system are from $2,000-3,500. The range depends on added accessories. Digesting Toilets This type is similar to a composting toilet but smaller. It also utilizes microblal action but electricity is used to heat the wastes to an optimal temperature for decomposition. The costs of installation are about half of the compositing units. Operating costs, however, are higher because of electrical use. The units may also incur maintenance costs related to the electrical units. Chemical Toilets These systems are easily installed, require no running water or electricity and require only local board of health approval. Wastes are disposed of in a chemical solution. Odors may be produced by the units and they require frequent dumping, cleaning, and refilling. Although low in cost (about $100) they are usually only used in recreation areas or isolated locations.

117 Holding Tanks These structures can be a temporary means of collecting domestic wastewater when a septic system has failed and no feasible disposal alternative is available. They are not allowed for new construction sites (Mass. D.E.Q.E. 1976) and use must be discontinued within 30 days of accessibility to a sewer system. This alternative is expensive to install, $4400-7300. Operation costs are also high because of the need for weekly to biweekly pumping (about $70-160/pumping). The pumping procedure requires that the holding tank be easily accessible and that an approved disposal company and site by designated. For these reasons and the costs, holding tanks should only be considered under extreme situations where no other alternatives are available. Other Watershed Concerns Wetlands Protection Several of the tributaries to East Lake Waushacum have wetlands associated with them (subunits 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8). The largest on tributary 5 behind Sholan Park, makes up about 4% of subunit 5. These wetlands serve a valuable function by tying up nutrients in plant life (during the growing season) and trapping sediments to prevent their transport to the lake. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. 131, $40) including the 1983 revisions of that act (310 C.M.R. 10.00) provide enforcement for preserving marsh areas. The responsibility for using them rests with the town's conservation commission. In the case of East Lake Waushacum, the conservation commission should do its utmost to insure that the wetland buffers in the watershed are not removed. If the Wetlands regulations are not adequate, they should endeavor to create more stringent regulations within the area. Public Education/Awareness Program There are many seemingly minor nutrient sources that can occur from human development within a watershed. Separately, any one of these sources may not have a great effect on the trophic condition in the lake. Because £ast Lake Waushacum seems to be near the borderline between trophic levels (mesotrophic-eutrophic) reduction of these minor additions could have a meaningful effect. Such practices as raking leaves or grass into the lake, not cleaning up pet droppings, allowing car wash-water to drain into the lake, planting and fertilizing of lawns next to the lake, and feeding of waterfowl are only a few of the human activities that can add nutrients to the lake. The list can be long and reduction of these sources involves an attitude adjustment

118 on the part of watershed homeowners. An understanding of the important responsibilities associated with the privilege of living near a lake needs to be developed. The most feasible method for effecting change in people's attitudes is through an extensive public education/awareness program. A public education program developed for the East Lake Waushacum watershed would, at a minimum, need to include: 1) general information on watershed ecology, 2) how excessive nutrients affect the balance of a lake, 3) the importance of altering wastewater management from conventional septic systems (i.e., alternative on-site methods or offsite methods) and 4) the importance of banning the use of phosphate detergents and soaps in the watershed. Technical personnel and supplies would be needed to prepare much of the material, but local participation will be essential to the success of disseminating the information. The costs involved in hiring a consultant to prepare and present a program could run from $25,000-30,000 depending on the complexity of the program. If qualified, local volunteers were available these costs could be reduced. In-Lake Techniques There are only two problems manifested within East Lake Waushacum that could be controlled. The first is algal masses which are observed in shallow littoral areas during the summer. The second is an anoxic hypolimnion during the late summer. Littoral Algal Masses Floating masses of filamentous algae like those observed in East Lake Waushacum are aesthetically unpleasant and can be a minor hazard to swim-* mers. Because of their mobility with wind action, it is difficult to pin- point the causal factors that are producing these masses. If septic system leachates are the major factor then initiation of previously discussed methods will help. If the causal factors are well-lit and stagnant shallow areas in combination with existing nutrient concentrations then little can be done to prevent them. The only method available for ridding an area of the filamentous algal masses is to spot treat them with an algaecide. Algaecides will only tem- porarily kill off the masses. It may require two or three treatments through the summer depending on climatological conditions and type of algae. Treatments must be accomplished by a licensed applicator and a per- mit is required. The cost per treatment varies depending on the algaecide used but is relatively inexpensive ($100-200/acre treated). Use of algaecides does have some drawbacks worth noting. First, they have potential risks to other aquatic life which have to be weighed against the short-term benefits. Second, there is a period of time after application when swimming can be hazardous. Lastly, the dead algal material remains in the lake as a nutrient and sediment source which may be aesthetically unappealing. Before spot algaecide treatment are adopted as a technique their benefits and drawback should be weighed carefully with the lak'eshore owners and

119 other users in mind. Algaecide use should only be looked at as an interim technique. It is merely cosmetic and does not address the potential long term problems of the lake. Anoxic Hypolimnion The phenomenon of an anoxic hypolimnion is common among deep and moderately deep mesotrophic and eutrophic lakes. The duration and extent of anoxia is variable from year to year depending on climatological conditions and nutrient loading changes. If the anoxic zone becomes extensive, under severe conditions, it can cause problems for some fish population (trout in particular). Other conditions associated with an anoxic hypolimnion involve release of some metals (iron, manganese, etc.) and nutrients (phosphorus and ammonia-nitrogen) from the sediments into overlying waters. If the nutrients are then circulated to the upper strata during favorable growing conditions (usually during the fall circulation period), algal blooms may result. Methods of controlling hypolimnetic anoxia and related conditions are complex and costly ($50,000-100,000). The most commonly used techniques are hypolimnetic aeration, artificial destratification, hypolimnetic withdrawal, or bottom sealing, Hypolimnetic aeration and artificial destratification are similar techniques, in that their aim is to improve water quality in the anoxic hypolimnion. The first uses.a device to diffuse oxygen directly into the hypolimnion but without mixing the lake. Artificial destratification involves setting up vertical currents, using air bubbles, to mix the colder bottom layers with the warmer surface layers. The hypolimnetic withdrawal method pumps the bottom water from the lake. The water can then be discharged downstream or recirculated to the upper layers of the pond. In the case of downstream discharges legal and technical problems may arise if the discharge degrades the downstream water quality. Bottom sealing utilizes some chemical, usually aluminum sulfate or alum, to precipitate the excess nutrients (particularly phosphorus) released from the sediments and restrict future release. Prior to use of this technique, chemical tests need to be carried out to determine the best dosage. Outboard Motor Restrictions Based on research from other sources (Yousef, 1974; Rich, 1980a and 1980b), high horsepower motorboats (50 hp and above) can disturb lake sediments to a depth of 4.6 m (15 ft.) leading to a reduction in transparency and possible circulation of nutrients. Although no data specific to East Lake Waushacum were collected, current practices on the lake regarding high horsepower motor use seem inadequate to protect the shallower areas of the lake (about 70% of the surface area is 4.6 m or less in depth). It is Suggested that the town enact stricter bylaws to restrict the use of outboard motor use. The most practical way would be to restrict the size, but restricted areas of use could also be a method.

120 RECOMMENDED PLAN The alternatives discussed previously are listed in Table 32 along with pertinent comments as to their costs, effectiveness, and technical feasibility. The last column states whether the alternative is recommended or not for East Lake Waushacum and whether it is recommended as a first or second priority. First priority indicates the preferred alternative for the most effective control. Included as first priorities are: leachate detector, alternative system bylaws, preinstallation testing, phosphate detergent ban, community septic system, alternative on-site systems, wetlands protection, public education/awareness program, and outboard restrictions. Second priority is for alternatives that should be used only if the first priorities are not initiated. Included as second priorities are: dye tests, zoning changes, septage management program, and spot algaecide treatment. Two cases (no further development and septic system maintenance) are listed as first priority (interim) to indicate that they should be in force while the others are being developed. The responsibility for deciding which alternatives will be put into operation ultimately rests with the Town of Sterling. It is also advisable that watershed homeowners be involved through participation of the East Lake Waushacum Association. This combined effort by the Town and the Association will provide the best opportunity for a successful perservation/restoration program. Funding Sources Federal Section 314 ^ Clean Lakes Program The funding for this diagnostic/feasibility (Phase I) study was primarily through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Lakes Program (Section 314 of the 1977 Amendments to the Water Pollution Control Act, PL95-217). Seventy percent of the study funds were from that program with the remaining 30% matched by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The next step in the 314 program would be an implementation (Phase II) grant. Funding of this project could be 50% federal, 25% state (from the Chapter 628 program), and 25% local for eligible tasks. For East Lake Waushacum the tasks might include the leachate detector testing and the public education program. In the past few years, funding for the 314 program has been reduced severely and reserved for on-going Phase II projects. Last year (FY 1983) only 3 million dollars were appropriated nationwide. Next year's status is dependent on legislative budget appropriations, but the outlook is not promising. This source of funding is not currently a likely possibility for an implementation project at East Lake Waushacum. It is advisable, however, for the town to keep themselves updated on the 314 program status as it changes from year to year depending on local support and administrations.

121 Inquiries should be directed to the D.E.Q.E., Division of Water Pollution Control (Westborough) which has been designated as the 314 agency for the Commonwealth. Section 201 ^ Construction Grants Program Although sewering is not currently a feasible alternative mainly by the town's choice, it could become feasible in the future. Thus it is noted here that funds from the Construction Grants Program can be available from the E.P.A. for sewering or possibly community septic systems if the town has a high priority. Before it can be considered for this program, however, the town must have a facilities plan prepared to address their sewering needs. To date this has not been accomplished. Housing and Urban Development Grants If received by the town, funds from a H.U.D. grant could be designated for use in preserving/restoring the lake. They could also be used to match a state grant under Chapter 628. State Chapter 628 -_ Clean Lakes Program Under Chapter 628 of the 1981 Acts of the Massachusetts Legislature, a Clean Lakes Program was created to provide grants for the preservation and restoration of publicly-owned lakes. Chapter 286"provided money from the existing Natural Resources Bond Fund in.the amount of 3 million dollars per year for ten years. The program provides grants on a match basis for diagnostic/feasibility studies (70% state; 30% local), preservation/restoration projects (75% state; 25% local), and maintenance projects (75% state; 25% local). Basic eligibility requirements are that the pond must 1) be freshwater, 2) be publicly owned, 3) have public access, and 4) not be a primary water supply. Once eligibility requirements are met the projects are prioritized based on degree of use, type(s) of public access, and local interest. The program is managed through the D.E.Q.E., Division of Water Pollution Control (Westborough). In the case of East Lake Waushacum, the leachate detection, dye tests, septic system management program, community septic system, public education/awareness program, and algaecide treatment alternatives could con- ceivably be funded under this program. Specific eligibilities would need to be determined at a later date if application is made to the program. This program does represent a good source of funding to the Town of Sterling and ought to be pursued. Chapter 722 ^ Eutrophication and Aquatic Nuisance Control Program This program has been in existence since 1969 to provide money for cleanup of Massachusetts' lakes and ponds. Traditionally these grants have gone

122 toward short term methods such as harvesting or herbiciding. Grants are made on a match basis of 75% state to 25% local. At present, the only grants available through this program are written as line items in the legislative budget. Funds appropriated for this account are earmarked for specific projects. This program is also administered by the D.E.Q.E., Division of Water Pollution Control (Westborough). Of the recommended alternatives for East Lake Waushacum, only the spot algaecide treatments could be eligible under this program. Because the treatments are such a small portion of the program and could be funded by Chapter 628, this source of funds is not recommended. Local Town of Sterling The town would have to provide some funds from its budget to match state or federal grants when they become available. They may also decide to fund portions of some non-fundable (by federal or state means) alternatives such as the alternative on-site systems or phosphate detergent ban which may require incentive programs. Reliability of town sources is dependent on available funds and priorities within the town. Recreational User Fees A feasible method of providing funds for grant matches or local improvement projects is by charging fees for use of beach or boat launching facilities. If the charges are reasonable and non-discriminatory, the lake could still be considered to have public access and so be eligible for state grants (Chapter 628). Collection of such funds would require additional personnel and enforcement. Environmental Evaluation Appendix A of the federal 314 Rules and Regulations requires submission of a complete environmental review as part of every diagnostic/feasibility study. The following is a discussion of the questions listed in that appendix as they relate to the recommended alternatives for East Lake Waushacum. Displacement of People Major, long-term displacement of people by any of the recommended alternative should be non-existent. If alternatives are adopted requiring replacement of septic systems, building community septic systems, banning of phosphate detergent use, or restriction of outboard motor use, then some individuals may choose to leave the area because of the higher costs or disagreement with the policy. Some short-term displacement could occur while septic systems are being replaced.

123 Residential Defacement Short-term, minor defacement of residences could occur during the process of replacing septic systems or during the building of a community septic system. None of the other alternatives involve any danger of defacement. Change of Land Use Patterns Recommended bylaw changes are intended to prevent or reduce future development pressure near the lake. Only if they were not adopted would development increase. Agriculture Lands and Public Lands The project alternatives do not affect prime agricultural land or public lands directly. The only agricultural operations currently in the watershed are orchards. These would only be affected if development were to continue unchecked through bylaws. Historic Lands or Structures The watershed area does have a rich historical background relating to its former use as an Indian village. The proposed alternatives are intended to be protective fn nature and thus require no major construction or excava- tion. It is doubtful that -the project would disturb any historically important sites, but the State Historical Commission will have to be contacted prior to implementation efforts in the area. Energy Demands The only alternative that might require increases in energy demand would be replacement of septic systems by certain alternative on-site disposal systems. Costs for these increases would be born by individuals. Energy demands could be decreased somewhat with the adoption of outboard motor restrictions as a result of lower gasoline usage. Air Quality and Noise Levels None of the alternatives will cause long-term increases in either air quality or increases in noise levels. Some localized minor odors may result from use of certain alternative on-site disposal systems. The noise levels on the lake in the summer could be reduced by adopting outboard motor restrictions. Chemical Treatment Spot treatments with algaecides would have short-term health hazards to swimmers. These could be easily mitigated by closing those areas to bathers for periods recommended for the algaecide used. Because of the small areas being treated, there should be little effect on aquatic life in the rest of the lake. Requirements for having algaecides spread by licensed applicators should minimize any further risks to the lake.

124 Floodplains and Dredging The watershed in question is not located in a floodplain. No dredging or other modifications to the lake bed or lakeshore are proposed in these alternatives. Wetlands and Wildlife The recommended plan calls for protection of the existing wetlands in the watershed as a buffer to remove some nutrients and sediments from watershed runoff. No operations other than short-term spot algaecide treatments are planned that would affect wildlife resources in any way. Project Schedule Establishing a schedule for implementation of the recommended alternatives is dependent on what the town chooses to do. Table 33 gives a rough idea of how the tasks might occur. Many of the tasks are labelled as ongoing because they are intended to permanently protect the lake. Most of the tasks are also scheduled to start immediately because they can begin immediately. They do not hinge on another project task being completed first and generally require little funding from sources outside the town. A leachate detection test is ideally performed during the late summer- months when septic system use is heaviest. This test should be done during the summer of 1984 either entirely with local funds or with grant funds (state and/or federal) matched by .local funds. The public education/awareness program could begin immediately if local volunteers and funds are to be used. Use of outside funds would mean a delay of about a year. Commencement of either the community septic system or alternative on-site disposal system would probably be delayed for about a year. It will likely take a year to find out if suitable land is available for a community system. Use of alternative systems would require bylaw changes and/or education prior to any replacements actually occurring. Algaecide spot treatments would only be done during the summer months because that is when the algae occur. If used, these treatments would be an annual event for an indefinite period. Monitoring Program Monitoring of the project results will probably not be effective until some of the major phosphorus reducing alternatives are adopted (i.e., phosphate detergent ban and alternative on-site disposal systems). Thus, the first monitoring is not listed in Table 33 until 1985. The primary concern of the monitoring program is to observe changes in the lake and in loading to the lake. Sampling need not be quite as extensive as this diagnostic/ feasibility study.

125 TABLE 33 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM PROPOSED PROJECT SCHEDULE

TASK/QUARTERS 2 3-4 1 Leachate Detector

Oye Test X X

Bylaws X ongoinn

Preinstallation Tests X ongoing

Septic System Maintenance X ongoing

Phosphate Detergent Ban X ongoing Community Septic System

Alternative Systems X ongoinn

Wetlands Protection X - i ongoinn

Education/Awareness Program X X ongoing

Algaecides XX XX

Outboard Restrictions X ongoing Monitoring x x x x

NOTE: Solid lines indicate major scheduling periods, dashed lines indicate priods of secondary importance or alternate plans. Water quality sampling stations should be the same as those used in this study. In-lake sampling should occur biweekly from May through mid- September and monthly for the remainder of the year. The schedule should be adjusted so that samples are obtained after ice-out and during fall circulation. Tributary and outlet stations should be sampled biweekly from March until cessation of flow (usually by June) at each. Throughout the remainder of the year, samples should be taken monthly when flow occurs. At a minimum, all samples should be analyzed for the following parameters: total phosphorus, total Kjeldahl-nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, nitrate- nitrite-nitrogen, pH, total alkalinity, temperature, and specific conductance. The in-lake station sampling should also include: temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles (taken from 0.5 m to 0.5 m from the bottom at 1.5 m intervals), Secchi disk transparency, chlorophyll ^, and phytoplankton counts (including identification). In-lake water quality samples should be taken at three depths when thermal stratification is evident (0.5 m, mid- thermocline depth, and 0.5 m from the bottom). During other times, in-lake stations should be sampled at 0.5 m and 0.5 from the bottom. Monitoring of the aquatic macrophytes should be conducted to observe any changes in the density and/or species composition. Such a survey should be carried out in the latter part of August and compared with the survey done for this study. The monitoring program .will most likely be contracted to a private consultant with approved laboratory facilities. The estimated cost for the above one year monitoring program is $40,000.

127 REFERENCES

Alden, W.C. 1925. The physical features of central Massachusetts. U.S.G.S. Bull. 760-B.

American Public Health Association. 1976. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 14th Edition. New York,

American Ornithologist's Union. 1982. Thirty-fourth Supplement to the American Ornithologist's Union Checklist of the North American Birds Supplement to Auk Vol. 99, No. 3.

Anderson-Nichols Co., Inc. 1977. Study of Sewerage Needs Evaluation of Alternatives for Sterling, Massachusetts. Boston, Massachusetts.

Baker, J.R. and E.G. Fedler. Eds. 1979. Sterling Factsheet 1980. Sterling Public Library. Sterling, Massachusetts.

Benson, B.B. and D. Krause, Jr. 1980. The concentration and isotopic fractionation of gases dissolved in freshwater in equilibrium with the atmosphere. I. Oxygen. Limnology and Oceanography 25(4):662-671.

Blodget, B.6. 1978. List of the Birds of Massachusetts. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, Massachusetts. Blodgett, J.T. 1982. Personal records of fish and bird populations at East Lake Waushacum, 1961-1971 attached to a letter communicating with Mr. Norman Miner (New England Research, Inc., Worcester). Sterling, Massachusetts. . 1981. Personal communication via interview on February 27, 1982 regarding lake history. Brackley, R.A, and B.P. Hansen. 1977. Water Resources of the Nashua and Souhegan River Basins, Massachusetts. Atlas HA276. U.S.G.S. Boston, Massachusetts. Browne, F.X. 1979. Water pollution, non-point sources. Oour. of Water Pollution Control Federation 51(6):1428-1444. Carter, D.B. 1964. Basic Data and Water Budget Computation for Selected Cities in North America. Earth Science Curriculum Project. Reference Series RS-8. Prentice Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Environmental Quality Engineering. 1976. Regulation 310 C.M.R. 15.00. The State Environmental Code ^_ Title 5, Requirements for the Subsurface Disposal of Sanitary Sewage. Boston, Massachusetts.

128 REFERENCES (CONTINUED)

, Department of Public Health. 1969. Article 7. Regulation IQ.2, B of the State Sanitary Code. Boston, Massachusetts. , Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. 1982. Open files at Westborough, Massachusetts. ,• Division of Water Pollution Control. 1978. The Nashua River Basin, 1977 Baseline Water Quality Studies of Selected Lakes and Ponds. Westborough, Massachusetts. , . 1978. Massachusetts Water Quality Standards. Boston, Massachusetts. , . Undated a. Detergents and Your Lake. Westborough, Massachusetts. Undated b. Septic Systems and Your Lake. West- borough, Massachusetts. Connor, J. 1979. The Significance of Seepage to the Water and Nutrient Budgets of Lake Washington. M.S. Thesis. Florida Institute of Technology. Melbourne, Florida. Cowen, W.F. and Lee, G.F. 1973. Leaves as source of phosphorus. Environmental Science and Technology 7(9):853-4. Diem, K. and C. Lentner. Eds. 1970. Scientific Tables 7th ed. J.R. Geigy S.A. Basle, Switzerland. Dillon, P.J. and W.B. Kirchner. 1975. Reply to Chapra's comment. Journal Water Resources Research 2(6). Dillon, P.J. and W.B. Kirchner. 1975. A simple method for predicting the capacity of a lake for development based on lake trophic status. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada. No. 31. Dunne, T. and L.B. Leopold. 1978. Water In Environmental Planning. W.H. Freeman Co. San Francisco. Emerson, B.K. 1917. Elements of Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal. 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York. Fair, G.M., J.C. Geyer and D.A. Okun. 1971. Elements of Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal. 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York. Fassett, N.C. 1957. A Manual of Aquatic Plants. University of Wisconsin Press. Madison.

129 REFERENCES (CONTINUED)

Fifield, H. 1982a. Personal communication via telephone on September 3, 1982 with president of East Lake Waushacurn Association regarding filamentous algae. . 1982b. Personal communication via telephone on November 9, 1982 with president of East Lake Waushacum Association regarding numbers of permanent and seasonal residences on the lake. Fouhy, M. 1981. Mashpee, A Municipal Facilities Plan for a Small Community not Requiring Sewers. Cape Cod Planning and Economic Development Commission. Barnstable, Massachusetts. Geldreich, E.E. and B.A. Kenner. 1969. Concepts of fecal streptococci in stream pollution. Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation 41:336-3^ Hill, D.E. 1979 Soil Interpretations for Waste Disposal. Bull. #776. Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. New Haven. Hotchkiss, N. 1972. Common Marsh, Underwater and Floating-leaved Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications, Inc. New York, Hutchinson, G.E. 1957. A Treatise on Limnology, Vol. I., Geography, Physics and Chemistry. John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York. Keller, R., Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Personal communication via telephone on October 21, 1982 regarding alkalinity criteria for lakes susceptible to acid deposition. Kimball, W.A. 1979. Chlorophyll a Procedures. Massachusetts Division of Water Pollution Control.Westborough, Massachusetts. Kirchner, W.B. and P.O. Dillon. 1975. An emperical method for estimating the retention of phosphorus in lakes. Water Resources Research 2(1):192-3. Kuzminski, L.N., T.P. Jackivicz, Jr., and D.A. Bancroft. 1973. Identification and Fate of Organic Compounds Emitted from Outboard Motor Subsurface Exhaust. Report No. EVE-31-73-2. University of Massachusetts, Amberst, Massachusetts. Lautzenheiser, R.E. 1959. Climates of the United States, Massachusetts. United States Department of Commerce. Washington, D.C.

Lees D.R. 1976. The role of groundwater in eutrophication of a lake in glacial outwash terrain. Int. J. Speleol. 8:117-126.

130 REFERENCES (CONTINUED)

and J.A. Cherry. 1978. A field exercise on groundwater flow using seepage meters and mini-piezometers. J_. Geol. Ed. 27:6-10. Loehr, R.C. 1974. Chatacteristics and comparative magnitude of non-point sources. ±. Water Poll. Contr. Fed. 46(8):1849-1872. MacDonnell, W.P. 1972a. Massachusetts Map Down Land Use and Vegetative Cover Mapping, Sterling, Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts. Amherst, Massachusetts. . 1972b. Massachusetts Map Down Land Use and Vegetative Cover Mapping, Sterling, Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts. Amherst, Massachusetts. and W. Niedzwiedz. 1974. Remote Sensing 20 Years of Change in Worcester County Massachusetts, 195TT1971.Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. Amherst, Massachusetts Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Lakes and Biological Studies. 1974. Standard Procedures for Biological Evaluation. Augusta, Maine. Marvin, A.P. 1879. History of the Town of Lancaster. Town of Lancaster, Massachusetts. Mather, J.R. 1979. Use of the Climatic Water Budget to Estimate Streamflow. Water Resources Center. University of Delaware. Newark. McGuiness, Jr., W.V. 1976. Phosphorus Supply and Control for Stockbridge Bowl. The Center for the Environment and Man, Inc. Hartford, Connecticut. McKinney, N. and A. Krause. 1979. Seven lakes examined in EIS, "septic snooper" plan will save billions of dollars, pp. 12-15 in Environmental News. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region V. Chicago, Illinois. Metropolitan District Commission. 1980. Open files at the Wachusett Reservoir Dam in Clinton, Massachusetts including outlet structure blueprints and rating curve for East Lake Waushacum. Meybloom, P. 1967. Mass-transfer studies to determine the groundwater regime of permanent lakes in hummocky morraine of western Canada. Jour. Hydrology 5:117-142.

131 REFERENCES (CONTINUED)

Montachusett Regional Planning Commission. 1978. Proposed Montachusett-Nashua Areawide Water Quality Management Plan Summary and Draft Environmental Impact Statement. M.R.P.C.FTtchburg, Massaschusetts. . 1982. Personal communication via telephone on November 23, 1982 regarding the average number of people per housing unit in Sterling based on the 1980 U.S. census data. Mueller, P.K. 1981. Letter to Alan VanArsdale dated September 28, 1981 including precipitation chemical data from the Electric Power Research (EPRI) monitoring station in Montague, Massachusetts. New Castle Planning Department. 1974. Water Resources Protection Measures in Land Development _-_ A^ Handbook. Water Resources Center. University of Delaware. Newark. Notini, 8.R. and J. Morrison. Boons Pond Diagnostic/Feasibility Study, April 1979 - July 1980. Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality EngTneenng. Westborough, Massachusetts. Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission. 1952. Planning and Making Industrial Waste Surveys.. Metal Finishing Industry Action Committee. Parks, W. 1982. Personal communication via letter on April 20, 1982 including lake level records. Prescott, G.E. 1954. The Fresh-water Algae. W.C. Brown Co. Dubuque, Iowa. Rich, P.H. 1980a. Hypolimnetic metabolism in three Cape Cod lakes. The American Midland Naturalist 104(1}:102-109. _. 1980b. Personal communication via letter on November 3, 1980 regarding effects of outboard motors on lakes. Scott, W.B. and E.J. Grossman. 1973. Freshwater Fishes of Canada. Bull. 1841. Fisheries Research Board of Canada. Ottawa, Ontario. Seifert, L. 1982. Personal communication via telephone on June 18, 1982 with Sterling Town Clerk regarding boating bylaws and the 1981 census. Silberman, P.T. 1977. Onsite disposal systems and septage treatment and disposal. From a U.S. EPA conference on 208 Planning and Implementation. Washington, D.C. Smith, G.M. 1950. Fresh-water Algae of the United States. McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York.

132 REFERENCES (CONTINUED)

Town of Sterling. 1931. One Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Sterling, Massachusetts. Town of Sterling. Sterling Public Library. 1980. Open files regarding ice operations on East Lake Waushacum. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1972. Hydrology - Section 4, National Engineering Handbook. Washington, D.C. . 1978. Water and Related Land Resources of the Central Regions, Massachusetts. Boston, Massachusetts. - , . 1980. Open files at the regional office in Holden, Massachusetts including area soil maps. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census. 1972. 1970 Census of Population. General, Social and Economic Characteristics, Massachusetts. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, O.C. - , . 1981. 1980 Census of Population and Housing, Advance Reports, Massachusetts. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. , Environmental Data and Information Service. 1979-1981. Climatological Data (Monthly Records). National Climatic Center. Asheville, North Carolina. United States Department of the Interior. 1957. Stream Gaging Procedures. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. , Bureau of Reclamation. 1975. Water Measurement Manual. 2nd Ed. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1973. Handbook for Monitoring Industrial Wastewater. Nashville, Tennessee. ._ 1977. Alternatives for Small Wastewater Treatment Systems, Qn-site Disposal/Septage Treatment and Disposll"EPA-625/4-77-011. Washington, D.C. . 1979. Methods for Chemical Analysis for Water and Wastes. EPA-600/4-79-020. Cincinnati, Ohio. . 1980. Clean Lakes Program Guidance Manual. EPA-440/5-81-003. Washington, D.C.

133 REFERENCES (CONTINUED)

Uttormark, P.O., J.D. Chapin, and K.M. Green. 1974. Estimating Nutrient Loadings of Lakes from Non-point Sources. EPA-660/3-74-020. U.S. EPA. Washington, D.C. Vollenweider, R.A. 1968. Scientific Fundamentals of the Eutrophication of Lakes and Flowing Waters with Particular Reference to Nitrogen and Phosphorus as Factors in Eutrophication. Rep. Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.DAS/CSI/68.27. Paris. Weaver, T. 1979. Shoreline algae survey, pp.5-8, 23 in The Michigan Riparian. __ Weber, C.I. 1974. Biological indicators of the trophic status of lakes. From a symposium on Biological Indicators for Assessing Water Pollution. Newton, Massachusetts. Welch, P.C. 1948. Limnological Methods. McGraw-Hill Book Co. New York. Weldon, L.W., R.D. Blackburn, and D.A. Harrington. 1973. Common Aquatic Weeds. Dover Publications, Inc. New York. Wetzel, R.-G. 1975. Limnology. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Winter, T.C. 1976. Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Interaction of Lakes and Groundwater. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1001. U.S. Government Printing Office. Washington, D.C. 1981. Effect of water-table configuration on seepage through lake beds. Limnology and Oceanography. 26(5):925-934. Woolner, F. 1970. Deep, dark and damp. Worcester Sunday Telegram. Worcester, Massachusetts. Yousef, Y.A. 1974. Assessing Effects on Water Quality by Boating Activity. EPA-670/2-74-U7I:U.S. EPA. Washington, D.C. Zen, E. ed. 1981. Bedrock Geological Map of Massachusetts. Open File Report 81-1327^O. Geological Survey.

134 APPENDIX 1

A NOTE ON LIMNOLOGY AND LAKE RESTORATION PROJECTS

Limnology is the study of inland fresh waters, especially lakes and ponds (lentic water vs. lotic water for streams and rivers). The science encompasses the geological, physical, chemical, and biological events that operate together in a lake basin and are dependent on each other (Hutchinson, 1957). It is the study of both biotic and abiotic features that make up a lake's ecosystem. As pointed out by Dillon (1974) and others before him, in order to understand lake conditions, one must realize that the entire watershed and not just the lake, or the lake and its shoreline, is the basic ecosystem. A very important factor, and one on which the life of the lake depends, is the gravitational movement of minerals from the watershed to the lake. Admittedly, the report contained herein concentrates mainly on the lake itself. Yet the foremost problem affecting the lakes and ponds today is accelerated cultural eutrophication, which originates in the watershed and is translated into various non-point sources of pollution. A great deal of lake restoration projects will have to focus on shoreland and lake watershed management. Hynes (1974) sums up the science well in stating: ...The conclusions...are therefore that any -interference with the normal condition of a lake or a stream is almost certain to have some adverse biological effect, even if, from an engineering point of view, the interference results in considerable improvement. At present it would seem that this is little realized and that often much unnecessary damage is done to river and lake communities simply because of ignorance. It is of course manifest that sometimes engineering or water-supply projects have over-riding importance and even if they have not, the question of balancing one interest against the other must often arise. But, regrettably, even the possibility of biological consequences is often ignored. It cannot be emphasized too strongly that when it is proposed to alter an aquatic environment the project should be considered from the biological as well as the engineering viewpoint. Only then can the full implications of the proposed alteration be assessed properly, and a reasonable decision be taken. Obviously this will vary with the circumstances and the relative importance of the various consequences involved, but, at present, unnecessary and sometimes costly mistakes are often made because the importance of biological study is unknown to many administrators. Often, as for instance in drainage operations, it would be possible to work out compromises which would satisfy both engineering and biological interests.

135 EUTROPHICATION

The term "eutrophic" means well-nourished; thus, "eutrophication" refers to natural or artificial addition of nutrients to bodies of water and to the effects of added nutrients (National Academy of Sciences, 1969). The process of eutrophication is nothing new or invented by man. It is the process whereby a lake ages and eventually disappears. An undisturbed lake will slowly undergo a natural succession of stages, the end product usually being a bog and, finally, dry land (see Figure A). These stages can be identified by measuring various physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the lake's ecosystem. Man can and often does affect the rate of eutrophication. From a pollutional point of view, these effects are caused by increased population, industrial growth, agricultural practices, watershed development, recreational use of land and waters, and other forms of watershed exploitation. It might also be mentioned that some forms of water pollution are natural. Streams and ponds located in densely wooded regions may experience such heavy - leaf fall as to cause asphyxiation of some organisms. Discoloration of many waters in Massachusetts is caused by purely natural processes. As pointed out by Hynes (1974), it is extremely difficult to define just what is meant by "natural waters," which is not necessarily synonomous with "clean waters." For restorative or preservative purposes of a lake and its watershed, it is important to identify both a lake's problem and the cause of the problem. Problems associated with eutrophication include nuisance algal blooms (especially blue-green algae), excessive aquatic plant growth, low dissolved oxygen content, degradation of sport fisheries, low transparency, mucky bottoms, changes in species type and diversity, and others. The pollutional cause is identified as either point or non-point in origin. A point source of pollution may be an inlet to the lake carrying some waste discharge from upstream. Or it may be an industrial, agricultural, or domestic (e.g., washing machine pipe) waste discharge which can be easily identified, quantified, and evaluated. Non-point sources of pollution, which are the more common type affecting a lake, are more difficult to identify. They include agricultural runoff, urban runoff, fertilizers, septic or cesspool leakage, land clearing, and many more. They are often difficult to quantify, and thus evaluate. An objective of a lake survey is to measure a lake's trophic state; that is, to describe the point at which the lake is in the aging process. The measure most widely used is a lake's productivity. Technically, this involves finding out the amount of carbon fixed per meter per day by the primary producers. Since it is a rather involved procedure to determine the energy flow through a lake system, the lake survey attempts to indirectly describe the lake's trophic state or level of biological productivity. During the process of eutrophication, a lake passes through three major broad states of succession: oligotrophy, mesotrophy, and eutrophy. Each stage has its characteristics (Table A). Data from a lake survey can be analyzed for assessment of the lake's trophic state. Although the level of productivity is

136 r EUTROPHICATION aging by ecological succession

Oligotrophic lake

Mesotrophic lake

Eutrophic lake

GEOLOGIC TIME

Pond, marsh, or swamp

Dry land

Source: Measures tor the Restoration and Enhancement of Quality at Freshwater lahes. Washington, D.C.: United States Environmental Protection Agency, 1973.

FIGURE A

137 not quantified, the physical, chemical, and biological parameters measured go a long way in positioning the lake as to its trophic status. The perimeter survey helps locate and identify sources of pollution. It should be noted, however, that at the present time, there is no single determination that is a universal measure of eutrophication. Figure B shows the various zones of a typical stratified lake. In addition to the lake's life history mentioned above, a lake also has characteristic annual cycles. Depending on the season, a lake has a particular temperature and dissolved oxygen profile (Figure B). During the summer season, the epilimnion, or warm surface water, occupies the top zone. Below this is the metalimnion, which is characterized by a thermocline. In a stratified lake, this is the zone of rapid temperature change with depth. The bottom waters, or hypolimnion, con- tain colder water. The epilimnion is well mixed by wind action, whereas the hypolimnion does not normally circulate. During the spring and fall seasons, these regions break down due to temperature change and the whole lake circulates as one body. In shallow lakes (i.e., 10 to 15 feet maximum depth) affected by wind action, these zones do not exist except for short periods during calm weather. The summer season (July and August) is the best time to survey a lake in order to measure its trophic status. This is the time when productivity and biomass are at their highest and when their direct or indirect effects can best be measured and observed. The oxygen concentration in the hypolimnion is an important characteristic for a lake. A high level of productivity in the surface waters usually results in low oxygen concentrations in the lake's bottom. Low oxygen in the hypolimnion can adversely affect the life in the lake, especially the cold-water fish which require a certain oxygen concentration. Organic material brought in via an inlet can also cause an oxygen deficit in the hypolimnion. Hutchinson (1975) has amply stressed the importance of dissolved oxygen in a lake. A skilled limnologist can probably learn more about the nature of a lake from a series of oxygen determinations than from any other kind of chemical data. If the oxygen determinations are accompanied by observations on Secchi disc transparency, lake color, and some morphometric data, a very great deal is known about the lake. » Nitrogen and phosphorus have assumed prominance in nearly every lake investigation in relating nutrients to productivity (eutrophication). Some investigators (Odum, 1959) use the maximun nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations found during the winter as the basis of nutrient productivity correlation due to the biological minimum caused by environmental conditions. Others use data following the spring overturn as a more reliable basis for nutrient productivity correlation. In any event, considerable caution must be used in transporting nutrient concentration limits found in other lakes to the present situation.

138 r THERMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF TEMPERATE LAKES

METALIMNION %- (THERMOCLJNE)

SUMMER SPRING-FALL WINTER Dissolved Oxygen (mg/l) 0 2 4 E B ID 12 14 0246 8 ID 12 14 0 24 6 8 10 12 14

— Temp.

D.O.—

32 39 47 54 61 68 75 82 32 39 47 54 61 68 75 82 32 39 47 54 61 68 75 82 Temperature *F STRATIFICATION ISOTHERMAL INVERSE STRATIFICATION

Source: Measures for the Restoration and Enhancement of Quililf of Freshwater lilies. Washington D.C.: United States Environments! Protection Agency, 1973.

FIGURE B

139 Table B depicts concentrations of various substances and other data for two hypothetical lakes, one eutrophic, the other oligotrophic. It is intended as a guide for comparison to the data presented in this report. Each lake, of course, is different from all others. There is no hard and fast rule as to the critical concentrations for each lake. The morphology of a lake (e.g., mean depth) plays an important part in its general well-being. A small, deep lake will react differently to nutrient loading than a large, shallow lake. In the final analysis, each lake is found unique and must be evaluated on an individual basis.

140 TABLE A LAKE TROPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

1. Oligotrophic Lakes a. Very deep, thermocline high; volume of hypolimnion large; water of hypollmnion cold. b. Organic materials on bottom and in suspension very low. c. Electrolytes low or variable; calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen relatively poor; humic materials very low or absent. d. Dissolved oxygen content high at all depths and throughout year. e. Larger aquatic plants scarce. f. Plankton quantitatively restricted; species many; algal blooms rare; Chlorophyceae dominant. g. Profundal fauna relatively rich in species and quantity; Tanytarsus type; Corethra usually absent. h. Deep-dwelling, cold-water fishes (salmon, Cisco, trout) common to abundant. i. Succession into eutrophic type.

2. Eutrophic Lakes a. Relatively shallow; deep, cold water minimal or absent. b. Organic materials on bottom and in suspension abundant. c. Electrolytes variable, often high; calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen abundant; humic materials slight. d. Dissolved oxygen in deep stratified lakes of this type minimal or absent in hypolimnion. e. Larger aquatic plants abundant. f. Plankton quantitatively abundant; quality variable; water blooms common, Myxophyceae and diatoms predominant. f. Profundal fauna, in deeper stratified lakes of this type; poor in species and quantity in hypolimnion; Chironomus type; Corethra present.

141 TABLE A (CONTINUED)

h. Deep-dwelling, cold-water fishes usually absent; suitable for perch, pike, bass, and other warm-water fishes.

i. Succession into pond, swamp, or marsh. 3. Dystrophic Lakes a. Usually shallow; temperature variable; in bog surroundings or in old mountains. b. Organic materials in bottom and in suspension abundant. c. Electrolytes low; calcium, phosphorus, and nitrogen very scanty; humic materials abundant. d. Dissolved oxygen almost or entirely absent in deeper water. e. Larger aquatic plants scanty. f. Plankton variable; commonly low in species and quantity; Myxophyceae may be very rich quantitatively. g. Profundal macrofauna poor to absent; all bottom deposits with very scant fauna; Chironomus sometimes present; Corethra present, h. Deep-dwelling, cold-water fishes always absent in advanced dystrophic lakes; sometimes devoid of fish fauna; when present, fish production usually poor. i. Succession into peat bog.

SOURCE: Welch, P.S., Limnmology, McGraw Hill Book Co., New York, 1952. (Reprinted with permission of the publisher.)

142 TABLE B SELECTED DATA FOR TWO HYPOTHETICAL LAKES1 CONCENTRATIONS IN mg/1

DISSOLVED OXYGEN TRANSPARENCY PHYTOPLANKTON AQUATIC CHARACTERISTIC TROPHIC STATUS2 AT BOTTOM (SECCHI LEVEL) TOTAL P ASSEMBLAGES VEGETATION FISHERIES Lake A High High Low Low Low High diversity, Sparse Cold Water (Oligotrophic) >5.0 <0.3 <0.3 <0.01 low numbers, types nearly complete absence of blue-greens. Lake 6 Low Low High High High Low diversity, Abundant Warm-water (Eutrophic) <5.0 >0.3 >0.3 >0.01 high numbers, types abundance of blue-greens.

1. Not established as State standards. 2. Oligotrophic = nutrient poor Eutrophic = high concentrations of nutrients DESCRIPTION OF TERMS

The terms related to limnology and other limnological entities, as used in this report, are defined below to assist the reader in interpreting some of the data presented: ADVECTION - the hydraulic mechanism by which water quality constituants are transported in the direction of the water flow. ALLQCHTHONOUS - refers to compounds formed in the basin which are brought into the body of water. AQUATIC PLANTS - or aquatic macrophyton can be defined as those vascular plants which germinate and grow with at-least their base in the water and are large enough to be seen with the naked eye. The following three broad categories are recognized: 1. -Emergent types are those plants rooted at the bottom and pro- jecting out of the water for part of their length. Examples: arrowhead (Sagittaria spp.), pickerelweed (Pontederia spp.). 2. Floating types are those which wholly, or in part, float on the surface of the water and usually do not project above it. Example: water shield (Brasenia sp.), yellow water lily (Nuphar sp.) 3. Submerged types are those which are continuously submerged (except for possible floating or emergent inflorescences). Examples: bladderwort (Utricularia spp.), pondweed (Potamogeton spp.) AREA - of a lake refers to the size of the surface, exclusive of islands measured in square units by planimetry. AUTOCHTHONOUS - refers to compounds formed or activities done within the body of water. CULTURAL EUTRQPHICATION - refers to the enrichment or rapid increase in productivity of a body of water caused by man. It is an accelerated process as opposed to natural, slow-aging of a body of water. Visual effects include nuisance algal blooms, low transparency, extensive aquatic plant growth, and loss of cold-water fisheries due to oxygen depletion. It is caused by the rapid increase in nutrient additions to a lake. DEVELOPMENT OF SHORELINE - is the degree of regularity or irregularity of a shoreline expressed as an index figure. It is the ratio of the length of the shoreline to the length of the circumference of a circle of an area equal to that of the lake. It cannot be less than unity. The quantity can be regarded as a measure of the potential effect of littoral processes on the lake.

144 DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUME - is defined as the ratio of the volume of the lake to that of a cone of basal area equal to the lake's area and height equal to the maximum depth. DIMICTIC LAKE - is one with spring and fall turnovers (temperate lakes). DISSOLVED OXYGEN (D.O.) - refers to the uncombined oxygen in water which is available to aquatic life; D.O. is, therefore, the critical parameter for fish propagation. Numerous factors influence D.O., including organic wastes, bottom deposits, hydrologic characteristics, nutrients, and aquatic organisms. Saturation D.O., or the theoretical maximum values, is primarily a function of temperature. D.O. values in excess of saturation are usually the results of algal blooms and, therefore, indicate an upset in the ecological balance. Optimum D.O. values range from 6.0 mg/1 (minimum allowable for cold-water fisheries) to saturation values. The latter range from 14.6 mg/1 at 0°C (32°F) to 6.6 mg/1 at 40°C (104°F). EPILIMNION - refers to the circulating, superficial layer of a lake or pond lying above the metalimnion which does not usually exhibit thermal stratification. EUTROPHIC - generally refers to lakes which are rich in dissolved nutrients often wi th seasonal deficiencies in dissolved oxygen. HECTARE (ha) - area! measurement equal to ten thousand square meters (10,000 m2). HETEROGRADE - is a stratification curve for temperature or a chemical substrate in a lake which exhibits a non-uniform slope from top to bottom. It can be positive (wetalimnetic maximum) or negative (metalimnetic minimum). HYPEREUTROPHIC - generally refers to eutrophic lakes which are enriched with plant nutrients to the point where most of the nutrients are not used by organisms in the lakes. HYPOLIMNIQN - refers to the deep layer of a lake lying below the metalimnion and removed from surface influences (i.e., not circulating). KILOMETER - linear measurement equal to one thousand meters (1,000 m). LENTIC - refers to still or calm water, such as lakes or ponds. LITTORAL ZONE - consists of the shallow waters of a body of water. They often form an interface zone between the land of the drainage basin and the open waters of the body of water. LOTIC - refers to moving water, such as rivers or streams. MAXIMUM DEPTH - is the maximum depth known for a lake.

145 MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE LENGTH - is the length of a straight line connecting the most remote extremities of a lake along which wind and wave action occur without any kind of land interruption. It is often identical with maximum length. MAXIMUM EFFECTIVE WIDTH - is similar to maximum effective length, but at right angles to it. MAXIMUM LENGTH - is the length of a line connecting the two most remote extremities of a lake. It represents the true open-water length and does not cross any land other than islands. MAXIMUM WIDTH - is the length of a straight line connecting the most remote transverse extremities over the water at right angles to the maximum length axis. MEAN DEPTH - is the volume of lake divided by its surface area. MEAN DEPTH MAXIMUM DEPTH RATIO - is the mean depth divided by the maximum depth. It serves as an index figure which indicates in general the character of the approach of basin shape to conical form. MEAN WIDTH - is the area of a lake divided by its maximum length. MESOTROPHIC - generally refers to lakes which are intermittent between oligotrophic and eutrophic. METALIMNION - is the layer of water in a lake between the epilimnion and the hypolimnion in which tfhe temperature exhibits the greatest difference in a vertical direction. MILLIGRAMS PER LITER (mg/1) - is used to express concentrations in water chemistry because it allows simpler calculations than the English system. The basis of the metric system is the unit weight and volume of water at standard conditions (20°C). At these conditions, one milliliter of water equals one cubic centimeter and weighs one gram. One milligram per liter is, therefore, essentially equal to one part per million by weight or volume. MILLIMETER (mm) - linear measurement equal to one thousandth of one meter (0.001 meter). MONQMICTIC LAKE - is one with a single period of turnover during the year. NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION - can be defined as any pollutant which reaches a water body by means other than through a pipe. Examples of non-point sources include leachate from dumps and agricultural runoff from dairy farms. NUTRIENTS - are basic elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur, etc. Small amounts are vital to the ecological balance of a water body. Larger amounts can lead to an upset of the balance by allowing one type of organism, such as algae, to proliferate. The most significant nutrients in water bodies are those of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

146 QRTHOGRADE - is a stratification curve for temperature or a chemical substance in a lake which is a straight, uniform course. PERCENT SATURATION - a comparison of the actual oxygen concentration to the theoretical maximum oxygen concentration that water can hold at a given temperature and pressure. £h[ - is the measure of the hydrogen ion concentration of a solution on an inverse logarithmic scale ranging from 0 to 14. Values from 0 to 6.9 indicate acidic solutions, while values from 7.1 to 14 indicate alkaline solutions. A pH of 7.0 indicates a neutral solution. Natural streams usually show pH values between 6.5 and 7.5, although higher and lower values may be caused by natural conditions. Low pH values may result from the presence of acid mine drainage or metal-finishing waste. High pH values may result from detergents or photosynthetic activities of phytoplankton. POINT SOURCE OF POLLUTION - refers to continuous discharge of pollutants through a pipe or similar conduit. Primarily included are sewage and industrial waste, whether treated or untreated. SE5TON - refers to all the particulate matter suspended in the water. SHORELINE - is the length of a lake's perimeter measured from a map with_a rotometer (map measurer). SILICA CSi02) - is necessary for diatom growth. The concentration of silica is often closely linked with the diatom population's growth. The limiting concentration is usually considered to be 0.5 mg/1. SPECIFIC CONDUCTANCE - is a numerical expression of the ability of a water sample to carry an electric current and is directly related to the level of electrolytes in the water. ' THERMOCLINE - is coincident with the metalimnion and relates to the lake zone with the greatest temperature change in a vertical direction. VOLUME - is determined by computing the volume of each horizontal stratum as limited by the several submerged contours on the bathymetric (hydrographic) map and taking the sum of the volumes of all such strata.

147 APPENDIX 2 CHLOROPHYLL a. PROCEDURES

I. Reagents and apparatus A. Flourometer 1. "Blue lamp" Turner No. 110-853 2. Excitation Filter: Corning CS-5-60, #5543, 2 in2, 4.9 mm polished 3. Emission Filter: Corning CS-2-64, #2408, 2 in2, 3.0 mm polished 4. R-136 photo multiplier tube B. Tissue grinder and tube C. Vacuum flask and pump D. Millipore filter holder E. Glass fiber filters: Reeve Angel, grade 934AH, 2.1 cm. F. Centrifuge (Fisher Scientific Safety Centrifuge) G. 15 ml graduated conical end centrifuge tubes with rubber stoppers H. 90% acetone I. IN HC1 J. Saturated Magnesium Carbonate solution in distilled H20 » II. Procedure A. Filter 50 ml (or less if necessary) of sample through glass fiber filter under vacuum. B. Push the filter to the bottom of tissue grinding tube. C. Add about 3 ml of 90% acetone and 0.2 ml of the MgC03 solution. D. Grind contents for 3 minutes. E. The contents of the grinding tube are carefully washed into a 15 ml graduated centrifuge tube. F. Q.S. to 10 ml with 90% acetone.

148 APPENDIX B (CONTINUED)

G. Test tubes are wrapped with aluminum foil and stored in the refri- gerator for 24 hours. H. Tubes are then' centrifuged for 20 minutes and the supernatant decanted immediately into stoppered test tubes. I. The tubes are allowed to come to room temperature, the temperature recorded, the samples poured into cuvettes, and then the samples are read on the fluorometer at 630 and 750 nannometers. (The fluorometer must be warmed up for at least a 1# hour before taking a reading). J. 0.2 ml of the 1 N HC1 solution is added to the sample in the cuvette, the cuvette stoppered and inverted and righted 4 times to mix thoroughly, and the sample is read again at 630 and 750 nannometers. K. Both values are recorded, along with the window orifice size and whether the high-sensitivity or the regular door was used.

149 APPENDIX 3 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM QUESTIONNAIRE

150 East Lake Waushacum Association HO STIRLING (UNCTION, MA ,'01565

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM QUESTIONNAIRE

The' State Department of Water Pollution Control has begun a one year study of East Lake Waushacum. This study is being done at the request of your. Lake Association, to determine what can be done to slow down and to reverse if possible the recent deterioration of our lake's water quality. This questionnaire requests background information which will help DWPC in its study of our lake. Since this study is for the benefit of all Lake Waushacum residents, your help is urgently requested in answering these questions. All answers, however, are voluntary, and of course will be treated confi- dentially . Thank you for your help.

1. What do you consider to be the most important use of the lake? What_are the second and third__most important? Swimming Boating Sailing Fishing Waterskiing Ice Skating Other Have the uses of the lake changed over the years?CH Yes CD No If so, in what way? How do you feel about these changes?

3. In what ways do you and your family use the lake?

4. Regarding the fish in Lake Waushacum: What species of fish do you have personal knowledge of being taken from the lake? How big? How many?

What changes have you noticed over the years in the quantity or quality of fish being caught in the lake?

5. What do you see as the major problem(s) in Lake Waushacum? (in order of importance, please, with 1 most important) too many weeds poor water quality too much algae objectionable odor and/or color I[unsuitable for boating

unsuitable for swimming muck/slime on bottom poor fishing j 1 other 151 6. Please give a description of the weed and algae problems in the lake, as you recall them. When did they first appear? What year(s) was the growth heavy? What year(s) was it light? How have the areas of weed/algae growth changed?

7. In your opinion, what should be the major function of our Lake Association? 8. Would you be willing to support the Lake Association by: holding office I I time for administrative work time for lake restoration activities 1 1 paying dues fund raising activities. I|other 9. What is your occupation? 10. Would you be willing to use your occupational skills and/or facilities for the benefit or the lake and the Lake Associ- ation? 11. Do you.feel there should be more restrictions on lake-usage, or less restrictions? f~1 More Q Less If more, what restrictions do you consider should be added?

12. Would you be interested in learning more about lakes and their processes? (e.g. through an educational program) U Yes n No If so, what would be the best way/days/times/location for such a program? 13. What type(s) of sewage disposal system(s) do you have? Cesspool I |Septic tank I I Dry or Chemical 14. How old is (are) your system(s)? 15. How far is (are) your system(s) from the shoreline of the lake? System type Q 0-5ft D 5-25ft d 25-75ft Q75-125ft D over 125ft System type H 0-5ft Q 5-25ft Q 25-75ft [^]75-125ft Q] over 125ft 16. When was the last maintenance done on your system(s)? 17. What type maintenance was done? [~1 pumping |~~] new leach bed f~l unclog leach lines f~l other

152 18. Would you'be willing to have dye flushed down your toilet(s) to confirm proper operation of your system(s)?Q Yes Q No 19. Do you have any direct discharges to the lake on your property? Yes No If so, type:QSump pump [^Washing Machine Q Other 20. Do you know of any direct'discharges or other possible sources of nutrients into the lake? Please describe. 21. Is your home at the lake :l (summer use only LJyear round use Average number of occupants: summer_ winter

If further information is needed, may we call you?QYes Q No Name __^ Address Tel. No.

153 APPENDIX 4 HYDRAULIC BUDGET CALCULATIONS

154 TABLE 34 EAST* LAKE WAUSHACUM HYDROLOGIC GROUP/LAND USE AREAS BY TRIBUTARY SUBUNITS

SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUN1T GROUP OR TYPE _2 (km2) 4 (km2) 5 (km?) 6 (km?) 8 (km?) 9 (km2) Hydrologic Group

A 0.004 0.006 __ B -- -- _- 0.001 — C 0.328 0.277 •0.408 0.38__ 3 0.134 0.213 D 0.030 0.008 — — —-. Uncertain " "™~ 0.009 -* — ^^ Ln Land Use Type Railroad Bed 0.001 0.008 0.001 0.005 Paved Road 0.002 0.002 0.020 0.004 0.011 0.008 Unpaved Road 0.00__ 6 0.009 0.002 0.002 0.008 Agricultural Land 0.059 0.068 0.008 _- 0.034 Open Area - Powerline 0.023 -- __ 0.031__ Open Area - Other — 0.063 — — — — — Recreational Land _--_ -- 0.011 -- Residential Land 0.019 0.033 0.01— 1 0.001 0.02— 9 Forest Land 0.322 0.165 0.249 0.351 0.101 0.129

Housing Units Near (1300 ft) 0 0 3 0 0 0 Far (>300 ft) 0 0 14 3 0 8 TABLE 35 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM HYDROLOGIC GROUP/LAND USE AREAS BY NON-STREAM SUBUNITS

SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT SUBUNIT GROUP OR TYPE 10 (km2) 11 (kn)2) 12 (km?) 13 (km2) 14 (km2) 15 (km2) 16 (km2) 17 (km?)

Hydro logic Group

A — — -- -- <0.001 0.021 0.004

C 0.205 0.147 0.428 0.018 0.006 0.003 0.001 D 0.012 Uncertain 0.001 0.010 Ui O\ Land Use Type

Railroad Bed 0.003 0.006 0.001 Paved Road 0.004 0.022 0.001 0.001 Unpaved Road 0.009 0.004 Agricultural Land 0.014 0.045 Open Area - Power! ine 0.043 Open Area - Other 0.031 0.024 Recreational Land 0.002 0.001 Residential Land 0.018 0.040 0.148 0.010 0.002 0.020 Forest Land 0.144 0.047 0.205 0.005 0.001 0.002 0.004

Housing Units

Near (<300 ft) 4 21 47 9 0 280 Far (>300 ft) 0 0 12 0 0 000 TABLE 36

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM EXAMPLE OF WATER BALANCE DETERMINATION - SUBUNIT 2

1980 1981

COMPONENTS (mm) Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Oan Feb Mar

Mean Monthly Temp. (°C) 0.6 7.8 13.4 16.9 21.9 20.9 16.5 8.9 2.2 - 4.5 -0.6 0.1 1.8 Poten. Evapotranspiration (PE) 9.5 37.2 76.6103.6 136.5 120.2 82.6 36.5 6.7 0.0 0.0 0.3 6.5

Precipitation (P) 190.8 155.7 68.689.9 99.8 53.6 48.0 119.5 112.8 29.8 19.0 202.2 20.4 Direct Runoff 34.4 11.1 0.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.8 6.3 0.0 0.0 24.0 0.0 Effective Precipitation (EP) 156.4 144.6 68.689.1 99.6 53.6 48.0 118.7 106.5 29.8 19.0 178.2 20.4 EP-PE 146.9 107.4-8.0 -14.5 -36.9 •66.• 6 -34.6 82.2 99.8 29.8 19.0 177.9 13.9 Storage (max. = 76.2 mm) 76.2 76.2 68.2 55.6 33.1 13.0 8.0 76.2 76.2 106.0 76.2 76.2 76.2 Storage Change ( S) 0.0 0.0 -8.0 -12.6 -22.5 •20.• 1 -5.0 68.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Actual Evapotranspiration (AE) 9.5 37.2 76.6 101.7 122.1 73.7 53.0 36.5 6.7 0.0 0.0 0.3 6.5 Deficit 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.9 14.4 46.5 29.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 Surplus 146.9 107.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 14.0 99.8 0.0 19.0 177.9 13.9 Direct Runoff (line 4) 34.4 11.1 0.0 !).8 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.8 6.3 0.0 0.0 24.0 0.0 Snowmelt Runoff 5.3 23.7 11.8 5.9 3.0 1.5 0.7 0.4 0.2 0.1 3.0 13.4 6.7 Total Runoff 186.6 142.2 11.8 6.7 3.2 1.5 0.7 15.2 106.3 0.1 22.2 215.3 20.6 TABLE 37 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SUMMARY OF WATER BALANCE TOTALS BY SUBUNIT SURFACE GROUNDWATER TOTAL AREA PRECIPITATION EVAPOTRANSPIRATION RUNOFF RUNOFF RUNOFF SUBUNIT (km?) (X105 m3) (X1Q5 m3) (X105 m3) (X105 m3) (X1Q5 m3) 2 0.332 3.384 1.707 0.143 1.669 1.812 4 0.277 2.823 1.460 0.163 1.314 1.476 5 0.448 4.566 2.347 0.276 2.126 2.402 6 0.383 3.904 1.970 0.168 1.922 2.090 I-1 Ul 8 0.148 1.509 0.762 0.074 0.734 0.807 9 0.213 2.171 1.092 0.121 1.646 1.167 10 0.205 2.090 1.083 - 0.092 0.997 1.090 11 0.147 1.498 0.773 0.098 0.660 0.758 12 0.449 4.577 2.329 0.324 0.211 2.431 13 0.018 0.183 0.092 0.015 0.084 0.099 14 0.006 0.061 0.031 0.002 0.030 0.033 15 0.003 0.031 0.015 0.002 0.015 0.016 16 0.023 0.234 0.118 0.003 0.122 0.125 17 0.004 0.040 0.021 0.000 0.022 0.022 TABLE 38

EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM

DETERMINATION OF WATER USE BY SUBUNIT ANNUAL HOUSES1 HOUSES/ PEOPLE/ VOLUME4 2 5 SUBUNIT PERMANENT SEASONAL YEAR YEAR3 (X10 m3)

2 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.000 4 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.000 5 16 1 16.25 49.40 0.038 6 3 0 3.00 9.12 0.007 8 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.000 9 8 0 8.00 24.32 0.019 10 2 2 2.50 7.60 0.006 11 12 9 14.25 - 43.32 0.033 12 38 21 43.25 131.48 0.101 13 5 4 6.00 18.24 0.014 14 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.000 15 1 1 1.25 3.80 0.003 16 4 4 - 5.00 15.20 0.012 17 0 0 0.00 . 0.00 0.000

TOTAL 89 42 99.50 302.48 0.232

NOTES: Determined by on-site counts and East Lake Waushacum Association records (Fifield, 1982). Determined by multiplying seasonal homes by 0.25 to account for their partial use and adding to the permanent home total. Determined by multiplying houses/year by 3.04 people/ house (Montachusett Regional Planning Commission, 1982) Determined by multiplying people/year by 365 days/year and by 0.21 cubic meters/person/day (Fair, et al, 1971)

159 TABLE 39 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM VALUES OF DAILY PRECIPITATION (in inches) AT WHICH OVERLAND RUNOFF WILL BEGIN TO OCCUR FOR DIFFERENT CURVE NUMBERS RUNOFF WILL RUNOFF WILL RUNOFF WILL BEGIN WHEN BEGIN WHEN BEGIN WHEN CN DAILY P = CN DAILY P = CN DAILY P = 100 0.00 68 0.94 38 3.26 98 0.04 66 1.03 36 3.56 96 0.08 64 1.12 34 3.88 94 0.13 62 1.23 32 4:24 92 0.17 60 1.33 30 4.66 90 0.22 - 58 1.45 25 6.00 88 0.27 - 56 1.57 20 8.00 86 0.33 54 1.70 15 11.34 84 0.38 52 1.85 10 18.00 82 0.44 50 2.00 5 38.00 80 0.50 48 2.16 78 0.56 46 2.34 76 0.63 44 2.54 74 0.70 42 2.76 72 0.78 40 3.00 70 0.86

SOURCE: Soil Conservation Service (1972)

160 TABLE 40 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM OUTLET STATION #7 OBSERVATIONS ELEVATION GATE OBSERVATION DATE (Ft. above MSL) STATUS 1980 21 March 446.08 open 1 April 446.03 open 23 April 445.92 open 1 May 445.73 open 5 May 445.58 open 14 May 445.96 closed 21 May 445.84 28 May 445.75 open 29 May 445.67 open 6 June 445.67-.58 closed 23 June 445.58 closed 22 July 445.46 closed 4 September 445.33 closed 17 September 445.21-.12 closed 18 September 445.20 closed 7 October 445.12 closed 21 October 445.12 closed 20 November 445.31 closed 9 December 445.54 closed 1981 27 February 447.25 open 9 March 446.71 open 24 March 446.40 open

SOURCES: OWPC Field Observations and Parks (1982)

161 APPENDIX 5 NUTRIENT BUDGET CALCULATIONS

162 TABLE 41 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM PRECIPITATION NUTRIENT DETERMINATION AVERAGE CONCENTRATION1 RANGE1 ANNUAL PRECIPITATION PARAMETER (mg/1) (mg/1) UET (kg) DRY (kg)2 Total Phosphorus 0.006 0.000-0.080 4.54 13.63 Nitrate Nitrogen 0.38 0.06-4.26 Ammonia-Nitrogen 0.20 0.04-2.53 Total Inorganic Nitrogen 0.58 0.10-4.80 439 878

NOTES: 1 Average concentration and ranges were based on volume weighted values calculated from E.P.R.I. data (Mueller, 1981) for January-June 1980. 2 According to Uttormark et al. (1974) dry precipitation contains about three times the total phosphorus and two times the nitrogen as wet precipitation".

163 TABLE 42 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM SEPTIC SYSTEM LONGEVITY DETERMINATION SOIL P DISTANCE ATTENUATION FROM SHORE SOIL VOLUME (ft3) RATE LONGEVITY (yrs)5 (ft) MIN.l MAX. 2 (kg/ft3) PERMANENT SEASONAL 25 600 2,100 0.0123 2.1-7.4 8.5-29.6 50 1,200 4,200 0.012 4.2-14.8 16.9-59.3 100 2,400 8,400 0.012 8.5-29.6 33.9-119 200 4,800 16,800 0.012 16.9-59.3 67.8-237 25 600 2,100 O.OIO^ 1.8-6.0 7.1-24.1 50 1,200 4,200 0.010 3.5-12.1 14.1-48.2 100 2,400 8,400 0.010 7.1-24.1 28.2-96.5 200 - 4,800 16,800 0.010 14.1-48.2 56.5-193

NOTES: Minimum cross sectional area assumes two leach trenches (3 feet each) which are 6 feet apart and a depth of soil of 2 feet (i.e.,24 ft2 cross section). 2 Maximum cross sectional area assumes a 42 foot long trench and a soil depth of 2 feet (i.e.*84 ft2 cross section). 3 Based on McGuinness (1976) for subunits 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10-14. 4 Based on McGuinness (1976) for subunits 15 and 16. 5 Values are obtained from dividing the product of "Soil Volume" and "Soil P Attenuation Rate" by the product of per capita water use per year (using 0.21m3/capita/day: Fair et al., 1971), average number of people per household (3.04: M.R.P.C., 1982), and an average value for total phosphorus in septic tank effluent (14.6 mg/1; U.S. EPA, 1977). Seasonal rates of application were one quarter those of the permanent.

164 TABLE 43 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM NUTRIENT LOAD SUMMARY BY SUBUNIT

WATER USE RUNOFF NUTRIENT EXPORT PERMANENT SEASONAL DIRECT BASEFLOW RATES (kg/ha/yr) SUBUNIT P(kg) N(kg) P(kg) N(kq) P(kg) N(kg) P(kg) N(kg) P(kg) N(kg)

2 ._.______0.54 12.20 6.36 139.06 0.21 4.56 4 __ 0.83 20.58 6.81 163.35 0.28 6.64 5 3.4 18.4 _2._3 1.46 35.03 7.85* 246.151 0.21 6.27 6 -- -- — 0.77 17.35 8.65 183.41 0.25 5.24 -_ -- 0.34 7.12 3.50 66.61 0.26 4.98 —— -- -—- -- 0.31 7.88 2.77 66.21 0.14 3.48

Subtotal 3.4 18.4 -- 2.3 4.25 100.16 35.93 864.79

10 6.8 18.4 0.85 4.6 0.47 11.74 5.19 123.67 0.27 6.60 11 34.0 110.4 7.65 20.7 0.52 12.42 2.44 76.60 0.21 6.05 12 42.5 239.2 4.25 48.3 1.72 41.11 7.80 244.43 0.21 6.36 13 17.0 46.0 _1.7_ 0 9.2 0.04 . 0.97 0.22 5.30 0.14 3.48 14 -- -- 0.01 0.21 0.11 2.51 0.20 4.53 15 3.4 9.—2 0.85 2.3 0.01 0.16 0.07 1.35 0.26 5.03 16 13.6 36.8 1.70 9.2 0.01 0.29 0.59 11.13 0.27 4.97 17 ------0.08 1.81 0.20 4.52 — 0.00 0.00

.17.3 460.0 17.0 94.3 2.78 66.90 16.50 466.80 TOTAL .20.7 478.4 17.0 96.6 7.13 167.06 56.68 1,352.29

NOTE: 1 The loading rate of subunit 5 is based on the baseflow load minus the water use (septic system) load. TABLE 44 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM INTERNAL PHOSPHORUS LOADING DETERMINATIONS DEPTH RANGE VOLUME AVERAGE [P] GROSS P NET P1 (meters) (X1Q3 m3) (mg/1) (kg) (kg) On August 20, 1980: 8.0-9.65 115.40 0.08 9.23 3.46 9.65-11.0 45.73 0.16 7.32 5.03 11.0-11.6 4.00 • 0.20 0.80 0.60

TOTAL 165.13 17.35 9.09

On September 4, 1980: 9.8-11.0 - 37.89 0.27 10.23 8.34- 11.0-11.6 4.00 0.41 1.64 1.62

TOTAL 41.89 11.87 9.982

NOTES: 1 Net phosphorus was determined by subtracting the initial (spring) load from the gross. Spring concentrations were 0.05 mg/1. 2 A "worst case" internal loading value was determined by adding the load from 8.0-9.65 meters on August 20, 1980 to the load determined on September 4, 1980 (i.e.,3.46 kg + 9.98 kg = 13.44 kg)

166 APPENDIX 6 TROPHIC STATUS MODEL CALCULATIONS

167 TABLE 45 EAST LAKE WAUSHACUM DILLON-RIGLER-KIRCHNER DETERMINATIONS

L T LOADING STATUS (gm/m2/yr) l(yr) R Lt(l-R) Current Load 0.290 1.72 0.68 0.160 0.290 1.72 0.79 0.105

Current Load; No Septic Systems 0.105 1.72 0.68 0.058 0.105 1.72 0.79 0.038

Future Loads (10 years plus 0.363 1.72 0.68 0.200 full development) 0.363 1.72 0.79 0.131

SOURCES: Dillon and Kirchner (1975); and Kirchner and Dillon (1975)

168