An Assessment of Nutrient Loading Through Lacustrine Groundwater Discharge in Mud Lake, WI

Abstract

Phosphorus (P)-laden runoff has been associated with lake eutrophication throughout the upper Midwest United States. Although P has been considered immobile in groundwater systems, investigation at UW-Eau Claire suggests P is highly mobile in groundwater. This impact has implications on land-use practice and lake management. This study seeks to quantify P loading through groundwater discharge in Mud Lake in Barron County, WI. Mud Lake was selected as a site of interest for the following reasons: 1. High groundwater P concentrations in Chetek identified by Bartnik et al. (2016) and Wiest et al. (2017) 2.Seasonal eutrophication events in the lake 3. Practical lake size (332 acres) 4. Easy access and landowner cooperation 5. Typical land use/geology for the region.