Pilot Lake Restoration Investigations in the Fox Chain of Lakes

Raman, Raman K.; Evans, Ralph L.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/77771 Copy

Description

Title

Pilot Lake Restoration Investigations in the Fox Chain of Lakes

Author(s)

• Raman, Raman K.
• Evans, Ralph L.

Issue Date

1984

Keyword(s)

• Aeration
• algal control
• chemical treatment
• destratification
• dissolved oxygen
• Fox Chain of Lakes (Illinois)
• lake management
• lake restoration
• nutrient inactivation
• water quality
• water quality control

Abstract

Pilot lake restoration schemes were implemented in the Fox Chain of Lakes, Illinois, in an attempt to improve the water quality of the Chain. A detailed study had determined that the deep lakes in the system developed distinct summer stratification and became totally anoxic below the thermoclines, with marked increases of end products of anaerobic decomposition of bottom sediments. High densities of algae, primarily blue-greens and diatoms, were common. Three different in-lake restoration techniques were tried in three parts of the lake system: nutrient inactivation by alum precipitation in Bluff Lake; copper sulfate application in Mineola Bay, Fox Lake; and aeration-destratification combined with chemical treatment in Lake Catherine. The alum and copper sulfate applications in small portions of the lake system were found ineffective because of the interconnection of the Chain's waters. However, chemical treatment combined with aeration proved to be worthwhile in Lake Catherine. The aeration system demonstrated its capability to destratify the thermal regime and induce oxygenation of lake waters down to its location level. There is also evidence that increased water temperatures and allied dissolved oxygen partially stabilized the organic content of bottom sediments. The full potential of aeration and chemical treatment would probably be realized if a comprehensive water quality management scheme were implemented.

Publisher

Illinois State Water Survey

Series/Report Name or Number

Report of Investigation (Illinois State Water Survey) RI-099

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/77771

Copyright and License Information

Copyright, University of Illinois Board of Trustees. All rights reserved. This document is a product of the Illinois State Water Survey, and has been selected and made available by the Illinois State Water Survey and the University Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It is intended for research and educational use, and proper attribution is requested.

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