Water quality standards information for the Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network

Ledder, Tracey

This report was prepared to meet the informational needs of the water quality monitoring project for data interpretation. Water quality standards for each of the four states in the Great Lakes Inventory and Monitoring Network (GLKN) were reviewed for numeric criteria. Designated uses for waterbodies in each park were researched and listed where possible. The water quality criteria pertaining to designated uses were summarized for parameters of interest to the water quality monitoring project. There are nine GLKN parks. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (APIS) is located in Wisconsin. St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (SACN) and Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) are located in or border both Wisconsin and Minnesota. Grand Portage National Monument (GRPO) and Voyageurs National Park (VOYA) are located in Minnesota. Isle Royale National Park (ISRO), Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PIRO) and Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore (SLBE) are located in Michigan. Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (INDU) is located in Indiana. As states must develop water quality criteria as protective as Clean Water Act requirements, but may develop stricter criteria, listed values for states may not match the EPA Numeric Criteria list. Therefore, each state’s water quality standards will not be the same as the bordering state’s. The differing designated use classifications and table structures make it difficult to compare one state’s criteria to the others. Water quality data from each park, therefore will have to be compared to the criteria for the state in which the park is located, using information on the designated uses of each waterbody.

Water quality standards information for the Great Lakes Inventory & Monitoring Network

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