Mountain lake study sites in the North Coast and Cascades Network: Version 1.1
Fradkin SC, Baccus W, Glesne R, Welch C, Samora B, Lofgren R. 2012. Mountain lake study sites in the North Coast and Cascades Network: Version 1.1. Natural Resource Data Series. NPS/NCCN/NRDS—2012/364.1. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado
This report provides a baseline characterization of 20 mountain lakes monitored annually as part of the North Coast and Cascades Network (NCCN) Mountain Lakes Monitoring Protocol (Glesne et al. 2012) Of the 20 “core” reference lakes, six lakes each are at Mount Rainier National Park (MORA) and North Cascades National Park Service Complex (NOCA), and eight lakes are at Olympic National Park (OLYM). The location of each lake is presented, along with a descriptive map of the lake’s watershed and associated environs. These help to present each lake in the context of surrounding topography and the park’s climatic gradients. Physical characteristics such as size, elevation, aspect and depth are described for each lake, along with representative physical/chemical data from the 2010 sampling year. A list of observed amphibian and introduced fish species are also provided. Finally, a description of the access route used by sampling crews is provided. This information will aid in the interpretation of future sampling results, support the planning of additional research components at these lakes, and serve as a reference for NCCN and park staff involved in long term monitoring efforts. The reference lakes characterized here span an elevational gradient from 4,105 ft to 6,713 ft. Lake elevations are generally higher at NOCA and lower at OLYM, reflecting differing geographic and climatic conditions. The reference lakes span a surface area gradient from 0.4 ha to 6 ha. While lake size is well distributed across parks, sample lakes in MORA tend to have larger surface areas, while the NOCA lakes generally have smaller surface areas. The maximum depths of reference lakes span a range from 3.6 m to 16.2 m. MORA reference lakes are generally deeper, while the majority of shallow lakes are sampled within NOCA. The precipitation gradient across the reference lakes is greatest at OLYM (196-559 cm/yr), while the gradient at MORA spans from 162-304 cm/yr and the gradient at NOCA spans from 157-379 cm/yr. Differences exist within the NCCN reference lakes in their ability to buffer atmospheric acid deposition based on differences in the bedrock geology of their watersheds. OLYM lakes are generally more buffered, while MORA and NOCA lakes tend to be more poorly buffered. All three parks have introduced fish in some of their previously fishless mountain lakes. A total of three species have been found in the NCCN reference lakes. All three species are found in the MORA and OLYM reference lakes with fish, while the single NOCA reference lake with fish has only one species. A total of eight amphibian species have been found in the NCCN reference lakes. The MORA and NOCA lakes have six species each, while the NOCA lakes have three species.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Fradkin, Steven; Baccus, William; Glesne, Reed; Welch, Carmen; Samora, Barbara; Lofgren, Rebecca
- Date of Issue
- 2012-10
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- MORA , NOCA , NRSS , OLYM
- Keywords
- Acid Neutralizing Capacity, Amphibian, Anion, aspect, Bathymetry, Biological, Cation, characterization, Chemical, chlorophyll-a, clarity, Core, Depth, Dissolved Organic Carbon, Dissolved Oxygen, Elevation, Fish, Index of Basin Permanence, Lakes, Landscape, Limology, Long Term Monitoring, Monitoring, Morphometry, Mount Rainier National Park, Mountain Lake, Mountain Lakes Monitoring, Nitrogen, Non-Native Species, North Cascades National Park, North Coast and Cascades Network, Olympic National Park, pH, Phosphorus, Physical, shoreline development, Site, specific conductance, Subalpine, surface area, Temperature, Total Dissolved Solids, Trend, Volume, Water Quality, Watershed
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Geology and Soils | Geomorphology | Lake Features and Processes , Ecological Framework: Water | Hydrology | Surface Water Dynamics , Ecological Framework: Water | Water Quality | Water Chemistry , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Freshwater Communities