North Temperate Lakes
US Long-Term Ecological Research Network

Wisconsin Lake Plants - multi source database of lake plant abundance 1930 - 2004

Abstract
This data set provides sampling-point by sampling-point macrophyte data for lakes sampled by a number of agencies in Wisconsin. The relational tables in this dataset were originally used to generate plant community tables. This dataset contains detailed and recent data from approximately the 1970s onward. Sampling timing and intensity varied. Table DATSOUR contains sources of data for tables AQUAPLT2 and LAKEHAB. Table AQUAPLT2 gives an estimate of plant density at each sample point. Table MAXDEPLNG has initial lake parameters derived from data in AQUAPLT2 and LAKEHAB Table LAKEHAB contains habitat characteristics at macrophyte sampling locations. Table PLTNAME has species information for plants in tables AQUAPLT2 and LAKESPEC. Table LAKES contains information for lakes included in this dataset. Table COUNTY contains information associated with the counties where the lakes in the AQUAPLT2 dataset and the LAKESPEC dataset are located. . Sampling Frequency: varies Number of sites: 1938
Core Areas
Dataset ID
61
Date Range
-
Maintenance
completed
Metadata Provider
Methods
This data set provides sampling-point by sampling-point macrophyte data for lakes sampled by a number of agencies in Wisconsin. Sampling timing and intensity varied. An estimate of plant density is given at each point and water depth and substrate information is available for many sampling points. The AQUAPLT2, DATSOUR, MAXDEPLNG, PLTNAME, and LAKEHAB tables are relational and were original used in a database to generate plant community tables. These relational tables contain more detailed and recent data from approximately the 1970s onwardThe LAKESPEC table contains analyzed plant community data that may have been generated from the above tables or gleaned from the literature. The LAKESPEC data contains some historical data from the 1930s and before as well as more recent data. More information on the LAKESPEC data is in Nichols, S.A. and R. A. Martin, 1990. Wisconsin Lake Plant Database. Information Circular 69, Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey, Madison, 27 ppVilas County lakes were sampled from 2001-2004 (approximately 15 different lakes each year).
Related Sites
Short Name
SNAQ2
Version Number
4

Historical Birge - Juday Lake Survey 1900 - 1943

Abstract
Data collected by Birge, Juday, and collaborators, mostly in north-central Wisconsin, from 1900 through 1943; generally one sampling event per lake during the summer, but on some lakes, especially around Trout Lake Station, several sampling events for several successive years. This data set contains both surface data (depth of zero) and multi-depth data. Note that not all variables were measured on all lakes. Documentation: Johnson, M.D. (1984) Documentation and quality assurance of the computer files of historical water chemistry data from the Wisconsin Northern Highland Lake District (the Birge and Juday data).Wisconsin DNR Technical Report. Note: Values of -99999 in water quality data indicate trace amount of parameter was present. Number of sites: 663 (generally one sampling point per lake; occasionally, several sampling points per lake on multibasin, large lakes). Note: This data set was updated in 2013 to include multi-depth and additional surface data for a large subset of lakes. These additions expanded the number of sites from 605 to 663, and expanded the date range from 1925-1942 to 1900-1943 . Furthermore, 14 lakes in Minnesota were added to the data set contributing additional surface and multi-depth data. Another dataset was added in 2013 collected by Wisconsin limnologists Chauncey Juday and Edward Birge, this data set contains variables that are still commonly used in research. For example, temperature, dissolved carbon dioxide, color, pH, secchi disk, plankton, and silica. However, the data set also includes variables that are not commonly used, for example, crude protein, non-amino nitrogen, ether extract, and total organic and inorganic material. These data are characteristic of water chemistry analysis from the time in which they were compiled (5/31/1915 - 8/29/1938). The data set features data from 586 different lakes, primarily lakes in the Northern Highland Lakes District of Wisconsin. However, there is also data from lakes in southeastern and southcentral Wisconsin. Furthermore, there is a minimal amount of data from lakes in Minnesota, Ohio,New York, Alaska, the Philippines, and the United Kingdom. Documentation:Birge, E.A., and Juday, C. 1922. The inland lakes of Wisconsin. The Plankton I. Its quantity and chemical composition. Bulletin, Wis. Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey No. 64: (Scientific series 13), ix-222.
Core Areas
Dataset ID
106
Date Range
-
Maintenance
completed
Metadata Provider
Methods
Johnson, M.D. (1984) Documentation and quality assurance of the computer files of historical water chemistry data from the Wisconsin Northern Highland Lake District (the Birge and Juday data).Wisconsin DNR Technical Report.Methods not included in Johnson (1984):Nitrite Nitrogen- Sulphanilic acid procedure. Standard methods for the examination of water and sewage, Pub. Health Assn., New York, 5th edition, 1923, 13. Other Documentation: Domogalla, B.P., Juday, C., and Peterson, W.H. 1925. The forms of nitrogen found in certain lake waters. Jour. Biol. Chem. 63: 269-285.Ferric Ion- First calculated by subtracting ferrous ion from total iron measurements. Standard methods of water analysis. 1936. Amer. Pub. Health Assoc. P. 309. New York. Procedure was modified to determine ferric ion by acidifying samples by adding 1 milliliter of 3 N HCL to 50mL of lake water. With the iron samples in readiness, add 5 ml of the thiocyanate solution to the sample and to the standards, mix and compare immediately. (Standard Methods, Amer. Public Health Assoc. 8th ed., p. 75, 1936). Other documentation: Domogalla, B.P., Juday, C., and Peterson, W.H. 1925. The forms of nitrogen found in certain lake waters. Jour. Biol. Chem. 63: 269-285.Ferrous Ion- First calculated by ferricyanide method. Procedure was modified to determine ferrous ion by subtracting ferric ion from total iron. Documentation: Domogalla, B.P., Juday, C., and Peterson, W.H. 1925. The forms of nitrogen found in certain lake waters. Jour. Biol. Chem. 63: 269-285.Manganese- Determined by the persulfate method using the procedure described in Standard Methods of Water Analysis, Amer. Public Health Assoc., p. 84, 1936.Chlorophyll-a- A photometric method was used, in which the color of the light was confined to the wave-length 6200-6800 A which are absorbed by chlorophyll. Water samples of 5 to 15 liters (18 liters in the case of very low plankton content) were taken from different depths by using a hand operated vacuum pump), the water was the centrifuged at 25,000 rpm (for about 30 minutes). Residue was then washed with 98percent acetone, and CaCO3 was added to neutralize organic acids. This residue-acetone mixture was ground to extract the chlorophyll. The acetone extract was then filtered through filter paper into a flask, the residue being thoroughly washed with pure acetone. The light absorption of the extract was then measured. Procedure was carried out in a single day, under minimal light. Documentation: Kemmerer, G.I., and Hallett, L.T. 1938. Amount and distribution of the chlorophyll in some lakes of northeastern Wisconsin. Trans. Wisconsin Acad. Sci. 31: 411-438.Phosphate- Ceruleomolybdic method employed. Documentation: Juday, C., Birge, E.A., Kemmerer, G.I., Robinson, R.J. 1927. Phosphorus content of lake waters of northeastern Wisconsin. Trans. Wisconsin. Acad. Sci. 23: 233-248. Other Documentation: Robinson, R.J., Kemmerer, G.I. 1930. Determination of organic phosphorus in lake waters. Trans. Wisconsin. Acad. Sci. 25: 117-121.Redox Potential- Determined in situ on a given sampling date by use of a bright platinum electrode. Eh readings were made in millivolts. Documentation: Allgeier, R.J., Hafford, B.C., and Juday, C. 1941. Oxidation-reduction potentials and pH of lake waters and lake sediments. Trans. Wisconsin Acad. Sci. 33: 115-133.Note: The methodology used to determine copper, alumnium, boron, and hydrogen sulfide could not be determined.
Related Sites
Short Name
RGBIJD
Version Number
7

EPA Eastern Lake Survey original data for the Upper Midwest Region 1984

Abstract
Overton, W. S., P. Kanciruk, L. A. Hook, J. M. Eilers, D. H. Landers, D. F. BRAKKE, R. A. Linthurst, and M. D. DeHaan. 1986. Characteristics of lakes in the Eastern United States. Vol. 2. Lakes sampled and descriptive statistics for physical and chemical variables. US EPA 600/4-86/007B. 369 p. The Eastern Lake Survey-Phase I (ELS-I), conducted in the fall of 1984, was the first part of a long-term effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency known as the National Surface Water Survey. It was designed to synoptically quantify the acid-base status of surface waters in the United States in areas expected to exhibit low buffering capacity. The effort was in support of the National Acid Precipitation Assessment Program (NAPAP). The survey involved a three-month field effort in which 1612 probability sample lakes and 186 special interest lakes in the northeast, southeast, and upper midwest regions of the United States were sampled. This dataset includes data on 592 lakes in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Number of sites: 592
Core Areas
Creator
Dataset ID
107
Date Range
-
Maintenance
completed
Metadata Provider
Methods
please see methods description in abstract
Short Name
RGELS
Version Number
4

Environmental Research Lab-Duluth Chemical Lake Survey 1979 - 1982

Abstract
Chemical survey of 832 lakes in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario conducted by ERL-Duluth and UMD between 1979 and 1982 for evaluation of trophic state and sensitivity to acid deposition Glass, G.E. and Sorenson, J.A. (1994) USEPA ERLD-UMD acid deposition gradient-susceptibility database. U.S. EPA Environmental Research Laboratory - Duluth and University of Minnesota at Duluth, MN. Number of sites: 856 within 832 lakes
Core Areas
Dataset ID
101
Date Range
-
Maintenance
completed
Metadata Provider
Methods
Methods are published in Glass, G.E. and Sorenson, J.A. (1994) USEPA ERLD-UMD acid deposition gradient-susceptibility database. U.S. EPA Environmental Research Laboratory - Duluth and University of Minnesota at Duluth, MN.
Short Name
RGERLD
Version Number
6
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Cooperative Agreement #DEB-2025982, NTL LTER (ROR: 04gq8q482). Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.