The Pine Lake Restoration Society began various projects in 1995 designed to reduce nutrient loading and thereby control algal blooms in Pine Lake. Measures to control both external (e.g., runoff...
Description
The Pine Lake Restoration Society began various projects in 1995 designed to reduce nutrient loading and thereby control algal blooms in Pine Lake. Measures to control both external (e.g., runoff from agricultural sites) and internal phosphorus loadings (e.g., sewage in ground water and sediment phosphorus release) are being implemented. To assess the potential benefits of these projects, a water quality model (Bathtub 5.3)(Walker 1986) was used by Water Sciences Branch, Alberta Environmental Protection to predict theoretical changes in phosphorus concentration in Pine Lake after various levels of reduction in external and internal phosphorus loading. Predictive equations for Pine Lake were then developed to predict changes in algal biomass (chlorophyll a) and transparency (Secchi depth) based on the new phosphorus concentrations predicted by the model.