The limnological characteristics and geochemistry of lakebed sediments in Coeur d'Alene Lake were assessed during 1991-92 because of the possible interaction of nutrient enrichment with the highly enriched trace-element concentrations stored in the lakebed. The scope included characterization of physical, chemical, and biological variables; quantification of hydrologic, nutrient, and trace-element budgets; development of an empirical nutrient load/lake response model; and characterization of trace elements in surficial and subsurface lakebed sediments.