Vol. 29, No. 2 Water Fall 2017 Column Clean Lakes Program •Officeof ofEnvironmentalManagement Water Quality•Indiana Department fDaphnia of blooms,densities andalgae thenletthose lake hasnutrient loadingissues, which canresult inexcessive in nature: Excess nutrients leadingto an increased production inphytoplankton. production.algal isespecially pertinent since the issue at This hand is bottom-up be thebestway togettherightzooplankton densityinorder tocontrol excessive intoalake, however. Top-down biomanipulation would probably phytoplankton densitiesisnotquiteassimpledumpingsome andalgal Using (Figure 1;Edmondson1978). can increase laketransparency, decreased productivity algal which isaresult of Cladocera that increasing thenumber of grass. Studieshave shown letloose onapatch of do someseriousdamageif have aconsiderable densities, effectonalgal thesameway acow oragoat can the aquatic food web asdocows inaterrestrial one. They are grazers, andcan as theaquatic equivalent tocows –they fitthesameherbivorous positionin 1978). Figure 1.Daphniaabundance andtransparency Washington inLake (source: Edmonson ~ KarinaCardella Using Zooplankton asaBiomanipulation Tool Until theDaphnia Home– Come Who needsalawnmower when you have . , specificallythosefilter-feeding zooplanktonwithalarger body size, Daphnia Daphnia (Figure 2),andotherlarge zooplankton species, toalter , larger zooplankton such asDaphnia Daphnia chow down! You canthink Daphnia el fyour ? Well, if , If the phytoplankton density of a lake is too dense, with large floating algal mats, then biomanipulation of this sort may not be the best option. Algae and plankton that is too dense to begin with will actually clog the rakers and gills of the Daphnia, making this technique ineffective since this can actually kill off smaller zooplankton and have an effect onDaphnia populations. Also, stocking game fish may increase angling pressure of that lake, and if these large fish are caught, it can throw the whole balance off, since they are needed to create that top- Figure 2. An image of a Daphnia taken down control. This biomanipulation through a microscope at 4X magnification technique may not have the long- (source: Karina Cardella 2017) term effects desired, because we never know how adding one organism is going to completely affect the rest of Since the top predator in a lake the system. For example, if the large , manipulating their stocked piscivore fish may consume populations may have a trickle-down all the planktovore fish, and with no effect that will affectDaphnia and predators, this may cause zooplankton other herbivorous zooplankton, and densities to balloon, and throw off the eventually algal densities. Stocking entire balance of the food web. a lake with large piscivorous game Biomanipulation of a freshwater fish can result in increased predation aquatic food web, with the desire on the smaller planktivorous fish. A of putting those zooplankton smaller planktivorous fish population powerhouses to work, may not be a means less predation on large long-term substitute for controlling zooplankton, which means their the forces that made a lake eutrophic population has a chance to really to begin with. The better solution grow. This now much larger “herd” may be to address the reason behind of zooplankton will then graze heavily the nutrient loading and algae on excess algae and phytoplankton. issues that caused the problem. But Once Daphnia have a chance to eat until that solution can be reached, their fill, the result can be less algae it’s nice to know that such a small, and deeper lake transparency. microscopic creature such as Daphnia Adding macrophytes to littoral can have an overall large effect on the zones can also help with this type water quality of a lake (see Figure 3.) of biomanipulation; macorphytes Figure 3. A simplified image of a freshwater compete with the phytoplankton for aquatic food web (source: Melissa Laney nutrients, and the vegetation provides 2016) essential shelter and habitat for zooplankton. While this seems like a great idea Have you checked out the in theory, biomanipulation of food Indiana Clean Lakes Program webs to obtain a certain result can Web page lately? have unintended consequences – so Take a look at you might want to think twice before www.indiana.edu/~clp/ letting those Daphnia go to town on and see what’s new your lake’s phytoplankton – until the and happening with the program and cows come home. with Indiana lakes! Table 1. Internet resources for water resource engagement events.

Using “Bugs” as will either move to other habitat or recreational conditions of the United die off. Macroinvertebrates are also States’ lakes, determine if lake Water Quality Indicators easy to collect and identify since they conditions are getting better or worse live the littoral zone. over time, and what stressors are most ~ Cory Shumate Some examples of metrics used to associated with degraded conditions measure macroinvertebrates include in lakes. This is important as lakes Most people might see bugs taxa composition and functional contribute to healthy economies or other “creepy crawlers” around feeding group measurements. With via tourism and recreational their house and think of them taxa composition, you can measure opportunities and support complex as just pests, but for lake owners, the number tolerant versus intolerant . macroinvertebrates (aquatic species and which species are most The 2012 NLA divided the insects, larvae, worms and other dominant in your lake. Examples of U.S. into nine ecoregions. These invertebrates) can serve as indicators pollution-intolerant species include ecoregions were chosen based on the of their lake’s water quality. stone flies, mayflies, and caddis regions climate, geology, soil type, Macroinvertebrates can easily be flies, and pollution-tolerant species and vegetation. Indiana is a part of found in the littoral, or shallow, zone include aquatic worms, beetles, flies, three ecoregions: Upper Midwest, of the lake where they have adapted and crayfish. Measuring functional Temperate Plains, and Southern to specific conditions of their habitat. feeding group composition can Appalachians. The Upper Midwest The number, type, and tolerance allow you to characterize trophic includes river systems that drain into levels of the macroinvertebrates can dynamics in the lake. Examples of the Upper Mississippi and Great give a general indicator of water functional feeding groups include Lakes watersheds. The Temperate quality (Figure 4). filterers (clams), scrapers (snails), Plains are characterized by smooth Macroinvertebrates are great piercers (water striders), engulfers plains with a large number of lakes indicators of water quality for several (dragonflies), etc. (Figure 5). smaller than 100 hectares in size reasons. They live in the water for Macroinvertebrates are used with river systems that empty into most, if not all, of their lives and as a metric in the National Lake the Ohio River, Great Lakes, and typically stay in habitats that are Assessment (NLA) performed every Upper Mississippi River watersheds. suitable for their survival. They five years by the Environmental The Southern Appalachians also differ in their tolerance level Protection Agency (EPA). The NLA’s consists of hills and low mountains to pollution. Therefore, if the lake purpose is to measure the current which have led to many man-made becomes polluted, less tolerant species biological, chemical, physical, and lakes being constructed. Benthic

Figure 4. Littoral zone of a temperate freshwater lake. 3 Figure 5. Examples of macroinvertebrates based on pollution tolerance levels. macroinvertebrate samples were collected from 10 random littoral zone sites using D-frame nets at each lake sampled. The samples were then analyzed based on several measurements mentioned earlier including taxonomic composition and diversity, functional feeding groups, habitats, and pollution tolerance (Figure 6). After analysis, each ecoregion’s benthic macroinvertebrates were ECOREGIONS assigned one of the following Coastal Plains condition categories: most disturbed, Northern Appalachians Northern Plains moderately disturbed, least disturbed, Southern Appalachians and not assessed. For the Upper Southern Plains Temperate Plains Midwest, it was determined that 36.9 Upper Midwest percent were most disturbed. For the Western Mountains Temperate Plains, 11.7 percent of Xeric lakes in the region were categorized as most disturbed. For the Southern Figure 6. Ecoregions used in the National Lakes Assessment. Appalachians ecoregion, 47.2 percent of lakes were in the most disturbed the 2007 NLA. These were not found category than the nation as-a-whole’s category. The Upper Midwest’s most to be statistically significant changes. percentage of 31 percent. The Upper disturbed condition had increase Two of the three ecoregions were Midwest’s percentage of lakes were by 14.3 percent and the Temperate found to have a higher percentage of 20 percent lower than this. When Plains and Southern Appalachians lakes with benthic macroinvertebrate viewing these results, they should be had decreased by 8.6 percent from communities in the most disturbed compared to other metrics of the 4 NLA including nutrient and pollutant The 2015 rule, which redefined States’ Rule.” The February Order concentrations and shoreline the scope of where the Clean Water states that it is in the national interest disturbance in order to assess the total Act applies, had an effective date of to ensure that the Nation’s navigable condition of a lake. August 28, 2015. Implementation waters are kept free from pollution, For Indiana lake managers, of the 2015 rule is currently on hold while at the same time promoting macroinvertebrates can be useful as a result of the Sixth Circuit’s economic growth, minimizing and cost-effective early indicators nationwide stay of the rule, but that regulatory uncertainty, and showing of stressors on lake water quality. stay may be affected by a pending due regard for the roles of Congress This can allow a lake manager to Supreme Court case. The 2015 rule is and the States under the Constitution. react early with a management plan also stayed in 13 states due to a North The agencies’ proposal is separate to correct the issue. However other Dakota district court ruling. EPA and from the two-step process the agencies metrics such as nutrient, pollutant, the Army are taking this action to propose to take to reconsider the 2015 and algal concentrations should also provide certainty and consistency to rule. The comment period for the be sampled in order to gain a holistic the regulated community. Step 1 rule closed in September and view of the lake’s condition and “The Army, together with the the agencies are currently working to determine the best course of action. Army Corps of Engineers, propose review the comments received from this rule with EPA to help continue to the public. The agencies are also provide clarity and predictability to in the process of holding listening the regulated public during the rule sessions with stakeholders as we work EPA and the Army Propose making process. We are committed to develop a proposed Step 2 rule that to implementing the Clean Water would revise the definition of “waters to Amend the Effective Act Section 404 regulatory program of the United States.” Date of the 2015 Rule as transparently as possible for the The agencies will be collecting regulated public,” said Mr. Ryan public comment on this proposal Defining “Waters of the Fisher, Acting Assistant Secretary of for 21 days after publication in the United States” the Army (Civil Works). Federal Register and plan to move This action follows the February quickly to take final action in early ~ EPA Office of Water 28, 2017, Presidential Executive 2018. Order on “Restoring the Rule of Law, Additional information on this WASHINGTON (November 16, Federalism, and Economic Growth by proposal and how to comment: www. 2017) – The U.S. Environmental Reviewing the ‘Waters of the United epa.gov/wotus-rule. Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) are proposing to amend the effective date of the 2015 rule defining “waters of the United States.” The agencies are proposing that the 2015 rule would not go into effect until two years after today’s action is finalized and published in the Federal Register. This amendment would give the agencies the time needed to reconsider the definition of “waters of the United States.” “Today’s proposal shows our commitment to our state and tribal partners and to providing regulatory Please save the date certainty to our nation’s farmers, ranchers and businesses,” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “This step for ILMS’30th Annual Conference, will allow us to minimize confusion as we continue to receive input from March 22 and 23, 2018 at Pokagon State across the country on how we should revise the definition of the ‘waters of Park on the beautiful Lake James. the United States.’” 5 Aquatic Invasive Monitoring Plant Highlight

This will be the 20th plant in the plant highlight series. We will be featuring one in each Water Column issue. We will feature both native and invasive plants to improve our plant identification skills.

Water Chestnut (Trapa natans), INVASIVE

Other common names: European water chestnut, horned water chestnut, water caltrop

DISTRIBUTION: Water chestnut is native to the tropical and warm temperature regions of Eurasia. It has also become naturalized in Australia and northeastern North America. In the United States, this species has been found in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Vermont Although not currently detected in Indiana waters, Trapa natans is a species that needs to be kept under close watch in order to prevent its introduction into our state.

Water chestnut can grow in wet, mucky substrates, but prefers shallow, nutrient-rich lakes and rivers.

DISPERSAL/SPREAD: The fruit of water chestnut may be dispersed when individual plants are uprooted and float downstream.These plants can also be dispersed by fragmentation. Due to the large size and weight of the sinking seeds, it is unlikely that waterfowl or water currents can transport seeds to any great extent.

Identification tips: • Plant has a rosette of floating leaves, 1/2 to 1 inch long, at the tip of a submersed stem • Floating leaves can reach over 15 feet in length • Flowers have 4 white petals about 1/3 of an inch long • Fruit is black, four-horned, nut- like structure

Report this plant if you find it at Indiana DNR’s Aquatic Invasive Species “Report a pest” form: (http://www.in.gov/dnr/6385.htm)

6 Volunteer Corner and surveys! We would love your please contact us at indianaclp@ input in how we can improve the gmail.com. We are happy to provide ~ Bruna Oliveria, Voluneer Assistant Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. training, sampling equipment, and Coordinator So far, we have received 438 any assistance you may need. Secchi depth measurements for Again, thank you to all of As the 2017 lake monitoring 57 Indiana lakes! Great work, and our volunteers for your continued season comes to a close, I want congratulations on a successful commitment to the Indiana Clean to thank all of our hard working sampling season! We are looking Lakes Program. Have a wonderful volunteers for collecting valuable forward to what your data will reveal winter and joyous holiday season. See water quality data for the Indiana about our beautiful lakes. We are you next summer! Clean Lakes Program. As you take always thrilled to add new lakes to your boats off the water and put away our program, so if you are currently Volunteer Coordinator your Secchi discs, please don’t forget not a volunteer in the program and Indiana Clean Lakes Program to submit your final samples, data, would like to participate next summer, www.indiana.edu/~clp (812) 855-1600 Indiana Lakes Management Society Winter Warmer at Oliver Winery Meet, Greet, Join!

Date: January 13th , 2018 Time: 1-3:30 PM Location: Original Tasting Room 200 East Winery Road, Bloomington, IN 47404 RSVP Required- RSVP at https://ilmswinterwarmer.eventbrite.com

WATER COLUMN Published quarterly by the Indiana Clean Perspectives Lakes Program as a medium for open exchange of information regarding lake andwatershed management in Indiana. I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as Address all correspondence to: autumn sunshine CLEAN LAKES PROGRAM Melissa Laney, Editor by staying in the house. SPEA 445, 1315 E. Tenth Street So I spend almost all the Indiana University daylight hours Bloomington, IN 47405-1701 in the open air. E-mail: [email protected] Phone: (812) 855-6905 ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne FAX: (812) 855-7802

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