Assessment of coastal water resources and watershed conditions at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Mechenich C, Kraft GJ, Szczytko SW, Mechenich DJ. 2006. Assessment of coastal water resources and watershed conditions at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. NPS/NRWRD/NRTR-2006/361. National Park Service Water Resources Division. Fort Collins, Colorado
Coastal water resources and watershed conditions at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PIRO) were assessed. PIRO contains numerous and diverse water resources, including Lake Superior waters and shoreline, inland lakes, streams, waterfalls, wetlands, vernal pools, and groundwater. Most available data show these resources to be of high quality. Documented problems include the bioaccumulation of persistent pollutants in Lake Superior and high mercury levels in fish in Grand Sable Lake. Limited groundwater sampling indicates generally good groundwater quality, although some arsenic has been detected in Alger County groundwater at levels below current drinking water quality standards. In addition, several exotic aquatic species have been identified and several lakes and streams exceed the expected phosphorus and nitrogen criterion for their ecoregion. Other threats and concerns to PIRO’s surface waters include atmospheric deposition of contaminants and sediment loading in streams. Lesser threats include water quality degradation from camping activities, septic systems, point source fuel emissions from boats and personal watercraft, and unsound logging and home building practices. Atmospheric deposition, invasive species, and global climate change are of greatest future concern for water resources of PIRO. Monitoring recommendations are provided.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Mechenich, Christine; Kraft, George; Szczytko, Stanley; Mechenich, David
- Date of Issue
- 2006
- Publisher
- National Park Service Water Resources Division
- Units
- PIRO
- Keywords
- Air Pollution, Bioaccumulants, Exotic Species, Geology, GLKN General, Global Climate Change, Groundwater, Hydrology, Lake Superior, Lakes & Ponds, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Pollutants, Rivers & Streams, Water Quality, Water Resources, watershed condition assessment