Aquatic Synthesis for Voyageurs National Park
Kallemeyn LW, Holmberg KL, Perry JA, Odde BY. 2003. Aquatic Synthesis for Voyageurs National Park. Information and Technology Report. USGS/BRD/ITR - 2003-0001. USGS Biological Resources Division. Reston, VA
This synthesis contains an integrated account of what is known about the aquatic resources of VOYA; compares VOYA resources to those of other areas; and identifies needs and opportunities for future studies and surveys. Voyageurs National Park (VOYA), which was established in 1975, contains significant resources with about 50% of its total area of 883 km2 (341 mi2) consisting of aquatic habitats. In addition to the Park's 30 named lakes, there are numerous wetlands including hundreds of beaver ponds. Due to the Park's size and location in the drainage basin, aquatic resources within the Park are particularly susceptible to activities and developments that occur outside its boundary. This is particularly true in regard to the water quality and aquatic communities in the four large lakes that comprise 96% of the Park's total lake area of 34,4000 ha (133 mi2). Because most Park activities center on the lakes, particularly the large lakes, resource managers need to have knowledge and understanding of VOYA's aquatic resources to effectively preserve, in an unimpaired condition, the ecological processes, biological and cultural diversity, and history of the northwoods, lakecountry border shared with Canada. The purpose of this synthesis is threefold: (1) to provide a complete and integrated account of what is known about the aquatic ecosystem of VOYA, including the entire Rainy Lake and Namakan Reservoir basins, their hydrological inflows and outflows, as well as the other aquatic habitats and communities that actually occur within the Park's boundary, (2) to provide pertinent comparisons from other areas to help park managers better understand the results of research and monitoring efforts within the Park, and (3) to identify needs and potential opportunities for filling gaps in the existing knowledge base.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Kallemeyn, Larry; Holmberg, Kerry; Perry, Jerry; Odde, Beth
- Date of Issue
- 2003-05
- Publisher
- USGS Biological Resources Division
- Units
- ARD , HIST , VOYA , WRD
- Keywords
- Aquatic Biota, Aquatic Ecosystem, ARD_Park-Air-Info_Collection, biological communities, Contaminants, Deposition, drainage basin characteristics, ehistory, Fish, History, Mercury, mercury contamination, Other, Sport Fishing, Toxics, Voyageurs National Park, Water Quality, Wetlands, WRBIB