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Water quality of Alimagnet, Farquar, and Long Lakes in Apple Valley, Minnesota

Water-Resources Investigations Report 81-40
Prepared in cooperation with the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri8140

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Abstract

Alimagnet, Farquar, and Long Lakes, in Apple Valley, Minnesota, were sampled from 1973-79 to determine their physical and chemical characteristics. A storm-sewer inlet to Alimagnet Lake was also sampled during two storms in 1978. The 1976-77 drought caused a more noticeable effect on the quality of the lakes than any other factor. Chloride concentrations were 10 to 15 milligrams per liter before the drought, but increased 2 to 4 times during the drought. Dissolved solids reacted similarly. Dissolved oxygen and pH were governed mainly by biological activity. In February 1977, dissolved-oxygen concentration was less than 0.5 milligrams per liter in the three lakes. Ratios between mean total nitrogen and mean total phosphorus ranged from 22:1 to 26:1. Trophic-state indices indicate that the lakes are eutrophic. Blue-green algae dominated the phytoplankton populations. Storms sampled at a storm-sewer inlet to Alimagnet Lake showed higher concentrations of chromium, copper, nickel, and zinc than of lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Total phosphorus for the September 1978 storm had a concentration of 1.7 milligrams per liter, which means that approximately 29 pounds entered the lake during the 5.5-hour sampling period.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Water quality of Alimagnet, Farquar, and Long Lakes in Apple Valley, Minnesota
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 81-40
DOI 10.3133/wri8140
Year Published 1981
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location St. Paul, MN
Contributing office(s) Minnesota Water Science Center
Description iv, 38 p.
Country United States
State Minnesota
City Apple Valley
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Additional publication details