indicate that nutrient levels in the sediment of inner Howard Bay
were unusually high and not typical of the lake as a whole. P values
at Howard Bay ranged to 18.2 mg/1 and TKN to 122.0; at all other
locations phosphorus was always less than 1.0 mg/1 and TKN was well
below 25 mg/1. Stations D, E, and F were also located in Howard

Bay but were more typical of the lake stations than of the inner

bay. The very high chemical concentrations there may be causally
related to drainage water from an adjacent ranch, as noted previously
by Gahler (1969). Analyses of this discharge made in 1968 showed
ortho-P concentrations of 0.20 mg/1, and total P, 0.46 mg/l. However,
nitrogen levels were not unusually high, with ammonia-N <0.1 and

TKN 3.2 mg/1.

13


ne

Date of
Collection Depth T.AIk.

05-07-69
06-03-69

06-03-69
07-16-69
07-16-69
08-04-69
08-04-69
08-28-69
08-28-69
09-09-69
09-09-69
09-30-69
09-30-69
10-20-69
10-20-69
01-13-70
01-13-70

b

voerweuoe

42
42

43
70
46
49
a
47
46

Cond.

105

10
14
ns

7
WwW
172
178
135

145
338

25

25
25
20

3

21
39

swans

“

Table 4 (cont'd)
A. Howard Bay

Carbon Carbon Hardness
Total

Hardness

46
46
46
50
45
36

3
35

1.8
1.0
1.2
W7
1.6
1.3
1.2
31

ae

1.8
1.8

1.0
0.5
0.8

03

«03
<1

<.01

35
35

N-NO,,
<.01
<.01

01
<.01

01
07
<.01
<.01
01
<.01

Na

9.0
9.9

Pp Pp Silica
THM Ortho Total Soluble. Na
8B <.00 16 a
5.3 <.01 +20 23
3.6 <.01 mary 23
14.6 <,01
3.5 <,01 16
3.4 +20 39
3.7 Bl: 39
3.3 40
3.4 44
2.6 05 40
. 2.9 48 40
5.0 23 37 44
5.6 WW I 44
3.2 223 44
3.0 222 44
1.90 <.01 4 37
3.5 03 24 35

&
19

1.8
1.8

a

5

$0, pH

<10

<10
<10
<10
«10
10
W
<10
10

7.0
9.5

8.4
8.7
91

9.4

8.9
91
79
8.1
8.3
7.9
75
7.3


Table 3 (Cont'd)
B. Secondary Stations

Sta. D . Sta. E Sta. F
10-23-68 10-23-68 10-23-68

Depth-cm 0-30 60-90 _ 120-150 0-30 60-90 120-150 0-30 60-90 _120-150

Constituent

Cond. 240 329 389 264 335 381 293 321 334
pH 7.2 7249 7.2 7.0 7.2 7.1 7.2 7.2 7.1
P-ortho -43 59 +28 44 +24 +20 -40 -70 53
P-total sol .53 .73 +49 .57 -40 38 47 -83 -63
N-NHg n 16.8 19.2 12.4 16 17.4 16.8 16.8 16.2
N-TKN 12.5 .9.7 22.6 12.5 19.1 , 20.3 15.5 18.5 17.9
N-NO3 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03
N-NO» <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02  <.02 <.02 <.02 08
Hardness, T 66 66 85 57 113 104 57 66 85
Silica, sol 50 54 54 60 60 55 54 58 59

30


6€

Table 5 (Cont'd)

B. Outlet
Total Sol. Total Total Fe Total P
Date Ortho-P TSP “Cond N-NH .-N-TKje1 Alk. Hardness Silica Carbon SNOC pH % dry wt @ dry wt
June 25, 1968 +06 16 138 24 : €U 40 27 19 6 7.4 1.35 045
Aug. 27, 1968 221 22 22 102 9 78 37 ‘7 8.1
Sept.24, 1968 03 05 209 14. 7.8 1.3 -040
Feb. 6, 1969 1.8, 1.9 317 7.3 080
Apr. 2, 1969 45 45 204 5.5 708 40 27 6 6.7 1.70 072
May 7, 1969 52 1.0 2u1 8.1 9.9 95 50 40 77
June 3, 1969 12 -18 107-0 2.1 3.2, 44 35 33 8.2
duly 16, 1969 53 355 165 6.6 8.9 7 44 7.9
Aug. 5, 1969 +20 +26 120 «6.0 5.0 55 36 7.8
Aug. 28, 1969 26 41 129 7.8 1.50 070
Sept. 9, 1969 22 32 134 6 $7 39 7.9 1.55. 052
Sept.30, 1969 -23 +26 (149 1.9 4.8 50 + 48 “8.1
Oct. 21, 1969 10 +20 145 2.3 5.4 42 7.5
Jan. 13, 1970 1.3 1.3 398 23 3.3. 160 44 60 Wo 7.0 1.60 .086
Feb. 24, 1970 06 10 121 2.6 3.9 56 33 34 6 6.4
Mar. 26, 1970 04 4 1240010931 6i 3 22 7 6.7
Apr. 27, 1970 05 130. V2 1700 3.1 £6 33 26 7.3
dune 3, 1970 a 21° «139° «1.676 3.7 64 39 25 6.6

duly 7, 1970 - .10 156 : 8.0



Vegetation varies with the mountainous regions having forests of
douglas fir, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and true firs, and the
open flatlands associated with large pumice deposits occupied by
grass-shrub communities. Marshes are extensive in parts of the
watershed. The Sycan and Klamath marshes cover the basins of former
Pleistocene Lakes and extensive marsh areas surround much of the
present Upper Klamath and Agency Lakes. Since World War I large
sections of marsh have been reclaimed for agricultural use. The

flora associated with the marsh area is a typical sedge-reed community.


1/6u ‘d-OHLYO ‘d-1VLOL

2 ota
o sc O

-_o 0
TT

fo)

bE
t 3SN30 ‘NVHdV

[ 3SN30 ‘NVHdV
+ 3SN40 NVHdV
- 3SN30 ‘NVHdV
- 3SN30 ‘NVHdV

TKN

yee

SECCHI DISC

“NVHdV ON

pei ft tf pop pt tt
rTrTT
#

TOTAL-P.
n

ENVHdV 371117

- 3SN30 ‘NVHdV
109 6 NIVY

rrr

LAKE WATER

ORTHO-P
TrTrrrrriryrrt

Se eee

1 1 at i

TTT tT

co

AM JUASOND
1969

|" FMA

JJASOND

oO
wo‘osid |HI93S"

e20lcmwmemlUOUmUDTMLU NN COO
on-

1/6w *OONS ‘NL

of SAN INTERSTITIAL

-!
‘
o
E
z

a)

vt

x
2
2
x
ro

1968

Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 1968-69,

Figure 5.

bs

Buck Ieland


June and July, but stabilized at low levels in August, September,
and October coincident with a heavy late summer-fall A. flos-aquae
bloom and high TKN levels in the lake water.

BUCK ISLAND (Figure 5)

The Buck Island station was not sampled as frequently as Howard Bay

or the Outlet. Data obtained from May to October, 1969, afford the
only continuous record of water and sediment chemistry. The interstitial
water chemistry from 1968, however, is interesting to compare with

the concurrent visual observations of phytoplankton. As noted on
Figure 5, the weather in August was abnormally cold and rainy.
Phytoplankton growth was much less than normal, and this is reflected
in the high levels of interstitial TKN and ammonia-nitrogen. The
sharp rise in TSP in October is difficult to explain, but the decrease
in interstitial TKN and ammonia-N through September and October appears
to correspond with the late A. flos-aquae bloom.

As at the other two sites in 1969, TKN in the lake water increased
strongly through the summer and early fall coincident with very heavy
production of A. flos-aquae. TKN rose from 0.8 mg/l in May to 4.2

mg/1 in September, falling to 2.6 mg/1 in October. SNOC rose to 9.0
in July, falling to 7 mg/1 in August; it was not determined beyond
that time. A peak in total-P coincided with the September TKN maximum,

TKN levels in the interstitial water exhibited two peaks, one in
May (5.5 mg/1), and a second in September (5.2 mg/1), the latter
coinciding with the TKN peak in the lake water. Interstitial total-P
also showed a bimodal distribution, with the lowest value occurring
in July when the TKN low was observed. SNOC measurements were not
made on interstitial water except in April.

W


se

Table 4 (cont'd)

B. Outlet

Date oF Tarbon Carbon Hardness Hardness ~ & Ld SiTica
Collection Depth T.Alk. Cond. Total SNOC Ca Total N-NH, NNO, N-NO, TKN Ortho Total Soluble Na K cl SQ, pH
10-11-67 s 108 27 13 32 34 -03 1S 32.0 13.5 2.3 <0 9.4
11-16-67 s 581388 7 30 48 2.0.08 2.9.07 1333.0 56 <0 77
1-18-68 s 631378 8 36 39 1.9.20 022.7) 1218 33.5 1.027700
b 65 1at 26 6 3 aq 2.0.32 <.01 3.4 611 2) TN 27.8
1-31-68 s 6413723 7 3 40 1.80.13) <.01 2.8 17.31 38.3 10.0 2.5 14
b 66 1398 8 32 40 1.8 13) <.01 2.8 110.16 35.4 = 10.0 2.5 17
3-02-68 s 4 1108 9 30 2 <2 .13 <0) <0) 2819.4 10.0.9 eB TO 92.8
b 51 107, 2 9 32 32 <1 12 <.01 2.7 <0) 15) 20.3 10.02.05 <1 9.6
4-04-68 s 43° 10520 18 2 <1) .02) <.01 1.2.01) 60817 8.6
b 42105 20 19 30 «1.020 <.01 1.20.01 077 8.1
5-08-68 s 45 108 9 25 3B <1 01 0.9 .02 .06 69.7 8.8 1.9 <10 8.1
b 46 (105 9 23 38 <1 01 1.0.01 0810.0 9.30 2.1 <0 8.1
6-12-68 s 470 «1 <.01 1.3.01 .09 8.6
b 47109 <1 <.01 1.60 01.12 8.6
6-25-68 b 50110 33 $1 +56 <.01 9 <.01 14.7 10.0 2.0 9.9(L)
7-09-68 s M45
b 1330.
8-14-68 s 54329 64 68 <1 03 <.01 M37 40.8 9.8 2.7 <5 <10  9.1(L)
b sae 6 64 16 <1 03) <.01 3.6 07) 2741.0 9.0 2.7 <5 <0 9.2(L)
9-11-68 s 52. (122 u 38 0.1 <0) <.01 3.5 09.26 48.0- 9.8
> S223 299 38 <1 <.01  <.01 3.6 10.29 49.0
10-23-68 s 6115026 7 2 38 55.06 oO 851089 39.2126 BHO
d 152
2-06-69 s 53 150 23 24 37 +S 120 <.01 2.7 08.28 29.3 9.9 2.4 <0 8.0(L)


CONTENTS

Preface

List of Figures

List of Tables

Sections

I Introduction

II Summary

III Conclusions

IV Recommendations

v Description of Lake System and Watershed

VI Methods

VII Characterization of Sediments

VIII Interrelationships of Sediment Chemistry and
Limnological Conditions

IX Discussion

X References

XI Appendix and Tables

iti

Page

ii
iv

C©CDANAwWNH

4
18
22
24


Table 3
Interstitial Water Chemistry
(Sediment Cores)

A. Primary Stations

Howard Bay Howard Bay
8-20-68 10-23-68

Depth-cm 0-45 45-90 90-135 0-30 60-90 120-150
Constituent
Cond 1076 = 1297 1474 1022 = 1363 1659
pH 8.1 8.2 7.7 7.8 7.8
P-ortho 10.5 14.5 12.0 8.5 16.5 17.5
P-total sol 10.5 14.8 12.0 8.5 17.0 18.2
N-NH3 86 107 126 85 119 146
N-TKN 86 102 122
N-NO, <0.03 <0.03 <0.03
N-NO, <0.02 <0.02 <0.02
Hardness, T 141 177 189 246 264
Silica, sol 91 92 86 56 60 58

Notes: Constituents expressed in mg/1.
Conductivity expressed in micromhos/cm @ 25°C.

28


SECTION VIII
INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF SEDIMENT CHEMISTRY AND LIMNOLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Water chemistry data for Howard Bay and the Outlet for the period
duly-1967 - March 1969 were reported by Gahler.4 More recently collected
data, together with Gahler's, for the Howard Bay, Buck Island, and
Outlet stations are presented in Table 4.

Data designed to show temporal variation of interstitial water chemistry
of surficial sediments at the primary sampling sites were collected
from June 1968 to duly 1970. These data appear in Table 5.

Temporal variation of lake surface water and sediment interstitial
water values for TKN, total-P, ortho-P or TSP, and soluble non-volatile
organic carbon (SNOC) from the Howard Bay, Outlet, and Buck Island
stations are presented graphically in Figures 3, 4, and 5, utilizing data
from Tables 4 and 5 for surface water. Multiple data for a given

month have been averaged to yield a single data point. Secchi disc
transparency and visual observations of phytoplankton growth are

also noted on the graphs. The time spans covered by these data at

the three stations were selected, for the most part, to coincide

with periods for which sediment chemistry data existed for those

same stations, to compare temporal variation of nutrients in water
with sediment interstitial nutrients.

HOWARD BAY (Figure 3)
In January 1968 the lake was ice-covered. TKN was at the somewhat
elevated level of 3.5 mg/1; SNOC measured 9 mg/l. Shortly after

ice-out in March, TKN had shown little change, but SNOC had doubled,
coinciding with the onset of the spring diatom bloom. Both ortho-P

14


possibility according to Bond, et al 6 who concluded that resuspension

of sediments in Upper Klamath Lake occurs when water mass movement
exceeds 0.005 m/sec (0.02 ft/sec), which would be expected to occur
in response to wind speeds of 0.9 - 2.2 m/sec (2-5 mph).

During this study a different sediment-water exchange mechanism was
observed. In 1968 and 1970, the blue-green alga Oscillatoria princeps,
which grew as a mat on the sediment, produced and collected sufficient
gas to cause sections to be lifted to the lake surface. As the algal
mass rose, it brought with it attached sediment in pieces 30 cm or
more in breadth and from 15 to 30 cm thick. Such clumps were found
floating throughout the lake in June 1968, throughout Howard Bay

in September 1968, and in the northern area of the lake in August
1970. When the floating sediment broke apart, the soluble nutrients
in the interstitial water were dispersed, as evidenced by increased
concentrations in the water. Between August and September 1968,

the average concentrations of nutrients in the water in Howard Bay
increased as follows: from 0.4 to 1.1 mg/l total-P, from 0.15

to 1.2 mg/1 ammonia-N, and from 5.2 to 8 mg/1 TKN. Conductivity
increased from 125 to 190 u-mhos/cm, and dissolved oxygen decreased
from 6 to 3 mg/l. The water at the Outlet and Buck Island stations,
where an A. f10s-aquae bloom was occurring but where 0. princeps

was undetected on the lake surface, contained levels of 0.25 mg/1
total-P, <0.1 mg/1 ammonia-N, 5.5 mg/1] TKN, 7.5 mg/? dissolved oxygen,
and conductivity of 122 y-mhos/cm.

Data from the present study, however, appear to support sediment-water
nutrient interchange more strongly in Howard Bay than in other parts
of the lake. As already pointed out, phosphorus concentration in
Howard Bay sediment was several orders of magnitude higher than in
Buck Island or Outlet sediment samples. Further, variations in

20


with very heavy A. flos-aquae growth (discussed above). Sediment

N and P concentrations rose in September and October (TKN peaked at
690 mg/1) as the algal bloom declined and were accompanied by falling
levels of N and P in the water.

THE OUTLET (Figure 4)

At the Outlet the sequence was similar to that described for Howard
Bay. High 1967-68 winter values for TKN in the lake water fell to
lows of about 1.0 mg/1 in April and May, corresponding to increased
secchi disc transparency ranging from about 40 to 105 cm. Total-
P also decreased, but a similar trend was not found for SNOC. TKN
increased greatly in late summer and early fall, reaching the high
for that year of 8.5 mg/1 in October. Total-P was high also, and
secchi disc transparency stabilized at 55-70 cm after the high of
105 cm in May. The increases in TKN and total-P paralleled an A.
flos-aquae bloom which began in late May, as was also noted for Howard
Bay.

The very few data on sediment chemistry obtained for this station
in 1968 preclude any discussion of trends there, or comparisons with
water chemistry, for that year.

Data were obtained a month earlier in 1969 (May) than at Howard Bay.
Lowest TKN values (0.6 mg/1) for the two-year sampling period were
found at that time, and SNOC was likewise quite low. Secchi disc
“data are lacking for May and June, but decreasing transparency from
July through September corresponded to increases in TKN, SNOC, and
total-P, and visual observations of very heavy A. flos-aquae growths
occurring through late summer and early fall.

TKN and TSP concentrations in the sediment at the outlet in 1969

were much lower than at Howard Bay. The highest TKN concentration,
1.0 mg/1, occurred in May coincident with the very low value of 0.6
mg/1 found in the overlying water that month. The TSP level in the
sediment was also maximal in May. Both TKN and TSP fluctuated through

16


62

Table 3 (Cont'd)
A. Primary Stations

Buck Island Outlet
9-24-68 © 8-27-68

Depth-cm 0-30 30-60 60-90 90-120 120-150 150-155 0-30 30-60 60-90 _ 90-120

Constituent

Cond 191-231 266 298 306 211 221 364 417 472
pH 6.9 6.8 6.9 7.4 7.1 7.0 8.1 7.8 7.9 8.2
P-ortho -07 an -08 -05 -03 -04 (a).03 14 31 «10
P-total sol .17 22 27 7 19 +19 (a).05 24 44 24
N-NH 8.5 12 14.5 16 W7 12.5 22 37 42 47
N-TKN 10.4 15 19.3 21.2 21.8 17.5 22.037 46 56
N-NO, 0.1 08 <.03  <.03 <.03 03

N-NO,

Hardness, T 37 36 4 47° 51 30 9 42 33 38
Silica, sol 49 49 49 43 41 42 78 «81 76 50

Ta) Data for OutTet for ortho-P and total soluble-P taken 9-24-65.


Howard Bay and Buck Island were characterized as silty clay (Table 2).
The cation exchange capacity of these sediments ranged between 30
and 55 meq/100 g.

The water content of the sediments throughout the entire lake system
was high, 88 to 92 percent at the water interface and 80 to 88 percent
at 1.2 m below the interface, as indicated by core samples. At Station
H and the Outlet the water content decreased to 55 to 65 percent

at 1.2m. A layer of pumice-like material occurred at this level

in both locations.

Surficial sediment pH varied from 6.1 to 7.8, and Ey from -0.1 to
+0.3 volt. The odor of hydrogen sulfide was thought to be detected
only once or twice. Undisturbed sediment surface samples taken with
a Jenkins corer (Mortimer!) did not reveal oxidized surface and
reduced black subsurface layers.

Total phosphorus (total-P) varied in surface sediment samples from

0.022 to 0.12 percent on a dry weight basis. The total-P content

in surficial sediment did not increase appreciably with depth of

water. Samples taken along transects where deeper holes occur in

the lake (near Bare Island) showed no significant increase in phosphorus:
0.072 percent P at 3 m to 0.075 percent P at 8 m along a transect

north of the island, and 0.062 percent P at 4 m to 0.073 percent

at 15 m along a transect south of the island.

The total carbon content varied from 3.7 to 10.0 percent, with the
highest values in Howard Bay. :No carbonate occurred in the surface
sediments indicating that ai] carbon was present as organic matter.
Total-N content was 0.46 to 1.3 percent.

Vertical Distribution of Nutrients in Interstitial Water

Cores were obtained at Howard Bay, Buck Island, the Outlet, and several
other locations to determine the distribution of nutrients with respect

1


SECTION III
CONCLUSIONS

J. Unconsolidated sediments occur in Upper Klamath Lake to a depth

of 32.6 m (107 ft) below the lake bottom. Radiocarbon dating indicates
that sedimentation rates have increased greatly in recent time. This
could be the result of changes in the watershed and in the trophic status
of the lake.

2. Concentrations of nutrients in the sediment interstitial water
from Howard Bay.were up to several orders of magnitude greater than at
other sampling sites in the lake. Proximity to agricultural drainage
may account for the high levels in Howard Bay. Ammonia and total
Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations tended to increase with sediment
depth at all sampling locations. This was also frequently the case
with ortho- and total phosphorus, but not consistently so.

3. In Howard Bay, comparison of lake water chemistry with chemistry

of interstitial water from surficial sediments showed a definite tendency
for inverse relationships in concentrations of total Kjeldahl nitrogen,
phosphorus, and soluble organic carbon in the two media. Further,
lowered P, N, and C in the interstitial water usually coincided with
heavy Aphanizomenon flos-aquae growths in the adjacent lake water.

Such relationships in other parts of the lake were not clearly

defined.

4. Restoration of Upper Klamath Lake to a less eutrophic condition
would be difficult to achieve by dredging. Although the evidence

jin support of biological utilization of sedimentary nutrients appears
to argue in favor of dredging, at least in some areas, deeper sediments


Table 1. Age of Sediments as Determined by Carbon-14 Dating

Age (Years B. P.)*

Core depth
(cm) Mid-Lake Buck Island Outlet
15 2060 + 270 cece Modern
30 cial 1940 + 220 1260 + 200
60 4040 + 570 Stated 1350 + 180
90 2425 + 375 4110 + 210 4370 + 220

*Before Present

26


10.

i.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Gahler, A. R. Sediment-water nutrient interchange. Proc. Eutrophication-
Biostimulation Assessment Workshop, Berkeley, CA. £. J. Middlebrooks,
et al., Eds. p. 243-257, June 1969.

Wildung, R. E., J. W. Blaylock, R.C. Routson, and A. R. Gahler.
Seasonal distribution of phosphorus in total, inorganic and organic
fractions of eutrophic lake sediments. Paper presented at the Soil
Science Society of America Annual meeting, 1970.

Mortimer, C. H. The exchange of dissolved substances between mud and
water in lakes. J. Ecol., 29:280-329, 1941.

Harriss, R. C. Silica and chloride in interstitial waters of river
and lake sediments. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 8-12, 1967.

Sutherland, V. C., J. R. Kramer, L. Nichols, and T. D. Kurtz.
Mineral-water equilibria, Great Lakes: silica and phosphorus. Proceedings,
Ninth Conference on Great Lakes Research, Publication No. 15, Great

Lakes Research Division, Univ. Michigan, 439-445, March 1966.

Gorham, E. Factors influencing supply of major ions to inland
water, with special reference to the atmosphere. Geol. Soc. Am.
Bull., 72: 814, 1961.

Sullivan, W. T. Chemical composition of the mud-water interface

zone, with the description of an interface sampling device. Proc.
Tenth Conf. on Great Lakes Research, Internat. Assoc. for Great Lakes
Research, p. 390-403, April 1967.

Lee, G. F. Factors affecting the transfer of materials between water

and sediments. Literature Review No. 1, Univ. of Wisconsin
Water Resources Center, 50 p., July 1970.

16. Miller, W. E. EPA. Unpublished data. Personal communication.

23


TABLES

Age of Sediments as Determined by Carbon-14 Dating

Physical Properties of Upper Klamath Lake Sediments
Interstitial Water Chemistry, Sediment Cores

Lake Water Chemistry

Interstitial Water Chemistry, Surficial Sediment

Page

26

27°
28
33
38


4.

FIGURES

Upper Klamath Lake and Station Locations

Thickness of Recent Sediments

Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water,
1968-69, Howard Bay

Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water,
1968-69, the Outlet

Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water,
1968-69, Buck Island

iv

Page
4
42

43

44

45


to sediment depth. Analyses of interstitial water were performed
at standard core depths as indicated. Data are summarized in Table 3.

Considering the primary sampling sites at Howard Bay, Buck Island,

and the Outlet, both orthophosphate-phosphorus (ortho-P) and total
soluble phosphorus (TSP) were as much as several orders of magnitude
greater in the interstitial sediment water from Howard Bay. Ortho-P and
TSP doubled between the 0-30 and 60-90 cm core segments, and remained
constant to the 120-150 cm depth. Some increase in phosphorus with
sediment depth was evident at the other two locations, but values

never exceeded a fraction of a milligram per liter at any depth.

Similarly, ammonia nitrogen in the interstitial water was much greater
at Howard Bay, ranging between 85.0 and 146.0 mg/1 there as opposed

to 8.5 to 17.0 at Buck Island and 22.0 to 47.0 at the Outlet. Ammonia
concentration increased with core depth at all three sites. Total
Kjeldah] nitrogen (TKN) values differed little from ammonia-N. Oxidized
N forms were negligible.

Conductivity was very high in the Howard Bay sediment, and at all
three stations conductivity increased with core depth. Hardness

was also greatest in Howard Bay and appeared to increase significantly
with depth at that location only.

Soluble.silica was of the same order of concentration at all three
sites, and did not exhibit major changes in concentration with sediment

depth.

Comparisons:of the Howard Bay, Buck Island, and Outlet cores with
those taken at other locations in the lake (Stations D thru J)

12


SECTION II
SUMMARY

Upper Klamath Lake, a very large, shallow lake in south-central Oregon,
has a history of nu7sance blue-green algae blooms, predominantly
Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. Lake water and sediment interstitial water
chemistry were monitored during 1968 and.1969, and for a short time

in 1970. Nutrient concentrations in interstitital water of sediment
exposed to direct agricultural drainage were several orders of magnitude

greater than in cases where sediments were not so located. Nutrient

concentrations showed considerable seasonal variation in both interstitial
and lake waters. Variations in lake and interstitital waters frequently,
but not always, exhibited inverse relationships. The larger fluctuations

appeared to correlate with density of A. flos-aquae.

Although strong evidence of biological uptake of sedimentary nutrients
was found, dredging of the lake would probably not be effective as

a restorative measure because of the high nutrient concentrations
present at depth in the sediment.


SECTION IX
DISCUSSION

The problem of sediment-water nutrient interchange and, in particular,
the question of ultimate availability to algae of nutrients released
from lake sediments, may never be completely resolved. The present
study has emphasized nutrients present in solution in the interstitial
water of the sediments, since such dissolved nutrients would be
expected to be most readily transferrable to the overlying lake water
through physical, chemical, or biological mechanisms.

Harriss! has stated, "The composition of interstitial waters from

river and lake sediments is controlled by a complex interaction of

the ground water recharge system, mineralogical dissolution and precipitation
reactions, biological activity, and the degree of physical interaction
between the sediment and overlying water." Other investigators have
measured soluble constituents in interstitial water for the purpose

of studying mineral-water equilibria and mineral transformations

(Sutherland, et ail2y, Gorhan!3 suggested that ions would diffuse

from the interstitial water to the overlying water, particularly

during stormy periods. Sul livan'4 has shown that orthophosphate

in the sediment interstitial water from Lake Bloomington increases

during stratification and decreases following turnover. Lee! has

pointed out that in lakes the hydrodynamics of the system are often

the rate-controlling step in exchange reactions, and that currents

in the overlying waters tend to transport leached materials away

from the sediments and thereby allow concentration-dependent exchange
reactions to proceed.

18


EPA 660/3-74-015
August 1974

Ecolegical Research Series



MILES

O 2 4 6
KILOMETERS

UPPER KLAMATH

BARE ISLAND

o

LAKE —s_ ype

Ge

Qolex Is.

My p

Figure 1. Upper Klamath Lake and Station Locations
Sh


SECTION IV
RECOMMENDAT IONS

There is at the present time no obvious practical means for eliminating
the regularly-occurring nuisance blue-green algae blooms in the Upper
Klamath Lake system. Nutrients enter the lake primarily from a variety
of non-point sources, particularly from springs and agricultural
drainage. The present studies, and those of Miller and Tash,!

have shown that nutrient concentrations in the bottom sediments are
very large. Therefore, a program of restoration for the lake would
have to include both control of nutrient flux from the watershed

and exchange of nutrients between sediments and lake water. Neither
of these appears possible at present. Dredging of sediment

would be of dubious value because nutrient concentrations generally
increase with distance into the sediment. Conversely, however,

the deepening of the lake as a result of dredging would likely be

of benefit, since the ratio of sediment area to lake volume would
thereby be decreased. Because of the very large size of the lake,
however, a dredging program would be difficult to justify unless

it was also intended to serve other purposes, such as obtaining

a larger holding capacity to increase hydroelectric generating
potential.


which would thereby be exposed contain nutrient concentrations at
least as high as those in the surficial sediments. Further, the

very large size of the lake system makes such an operation economically
and logistically impractical, and dredging would do nothing to limit
the large nutrient input from outside sources.


ue

Date of

05-07-69
05-07-69
06-02-69
06-02-69
07-16-69
07-16-69
08-04-69
08-04-69
08-28-69

09-30-69
09-30-69
10-21-69
10-21-69

Depth

cuernee

cucwe

T.Alk.

42
42
42
42
43
44
45
45
47
46

49

Lond.
10
no
108
102
109

4
14
18
18
9
23

oor nee

a

Table 4 (cont'd)

Carbon Carbon Hardness Hardness
Total _sNoc_ f Tota

Cc. Buck Island

Pp Pp Silica
ul 5 NNO, _N-NOp TKN Ortho Total Soluble Ma K Cl SO, pH
28 32 06 <.01 <.01 8 <.01 16 20 7.6 1.9 <5 <10 8.5
29 31 205 01 <.01 9 <.01 14 20 . 7.8 1.9 <8 <10 7.8
30 40 a7 <.01 <.01 1.4 <.01 07 23 . 9.2

30 33 +24 01 <.01 1.0 <.01 07 23
30 33 08 <.01 <.01 2.0 <.01 10 9.4
30 cil 09 <.01 <.01 2.9 <.01 15 9.2
7 3.8 20 7 9.7
5 45 2B 37 9.7
36 4 <.01 <.01 2.3 40 <10 9.7
4 5 <.01 02 3.2 40 <10 9.7
+06 <.01 <.01 5.4 4 40 <10 9.2
+04 <.01 <.01 2.0 88 39 9.1
3 J 05 <.01 3.0 24 44 9.6
33 06 62 017) 3.2 26 4 9.6
31 07 2.6 16 aa 9.7 1.3 <10) 8.8
36 05 1.8 +20 “4 9.5 1.4 8.3


METHODS OF ANALYSIS

B. Field
Determination Units Instrument
Conductivity micromhos/cm Beckman RB3 - 327 Solu Bridge
Oxygen mg O/t Electronic Instruments Limited Model 15A dissolved oxygen meter and probe
pH pH Beckman portable pH meters
Transparency cm Secchi disc
Temperature % Electronic Instruments Limited

* Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, Twelfth Ed., 1965
‘** FWPCA Official Interim Methods for Chemical Analysis of Surface Waters, Sept. 1968



Figure 2. Thickness of Recent Sediments. Numbers are the
‘ distance in meters from the lake surface to the
bottom of the unconsolidated layer.

le


Via

SECTION XI
Appendix
METHODS OF ANALYSIS

A. Laboratory

Determination Units Method Reference
Alkalinity, Total mg Cato,/t Titrimetric with sulfuric acid SMEWW*
Conductivity micromhos/cm Conductimetric measurement. SMEWW
Carbon, Total mg C/t Combustion, infrared detection in Beckman Carbonaceous ASTM (D 2579)
Analyzer
Carbon, soluble mg C/E Acidification of sample, volatilization of co, with nitrogen
non-volatile organic gas, determination in Beckman Carbonaceous Analyzer
Hardness, Ca ng Caos Titrimetric with EOTA, Hydroxy Naphthol Blue indicator ‘SMEWW
Hardness, Total mg Cal0s/t Titrimetric with EDTA, Calmagite indicator SMEWW
‘Ni trogen-Ammonia mg N/t Distillation, Spectrophotometric measurement Technicon Auto analyzer
Nitrogen-Nitrate mg N/E Spectrophotometric measurement Technicon Auto analyzer
Nitrogen-Nitrite mg N/i Spectrophotometric measurement Technicon Auto analyzer, SMEWW
Nitrogen-Total Kjeldahl mg N/i Digestion, distillation, spectrophotometric measurement. Aminco digestion, semi-micro
distillation apparatus, SMEWW
pH pH Beckman Electromate and other portable pH meters
Phosphorus, ortho mg P/t Millipore filtration, spectrophotometric determination Strickland, FWPCAt®
Phosphorus, total mg P/t Digestion in acid solution with persulfate, spectrophotometric Strickland, FWPCA
determination
Silica, Soluble mgsi0o/t Spectrophotometric determination Technicon Auto analyzer, SMEWH
Sodium mg Na/e Flame photometric or atomic absorption spectrophotometric SMEWW
determination .
Potassium mg K/t Flame photometric or atomic absorption spectrophotometric SMEWW
determination
Chloride mg CV/kt Titrimetric with mercuric nitrate ‘SMEWW
Sulfate Mg SO4/t Turbidimetric measurement ‘SMEWW


SECTION I
INTRODUCTION

In 1965 studies were initiated by the Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory,
U. S. Public Health Service (now Pacific Northwest Environmental .
Research Laboratory, EPA), to investigate the causes for regularly
occurring nuisance algal blooms in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, and

to gather information relative to their possible control. From

March 1965 to April 1966 studies were directed principally toward

the hydrologic and nutrient budgets of the lake. Additionally,
laboratory and in situ algal assay experiments were carried out in

an effort to identify algal growth-limiting nutrients. This work

has been reported by Miller and Tash’. Since 1967 work by this laboratory
on Upper Klamath Lake has been carried out principally by the present
authors together with agency-sponsored extramural research at Oregon
State University by Morita’ and at Battelle-Northwest by Wildung

and Schmidt. 3 Preliminary results have been reported by Gahter.*
Emphasis during this phase has been on problems involving sediment~
water nutrient interchange, rather than on overall eutrophication
problems .


and total-P were relatively high. TKN, SNOC, and total-P decreased

sharply in April and May, while secchi disc transparency increased

to 115 cm. Aphanizomenon flos-aquae growth began in late May, corresponding
to the increases in TKN and total-P which attained maximum values

in late summer and fall. Data on SNOC‘tre lacking for that period.

The highest observed TKN for the season at this station occurred

in October (5.5 mg/1). This does not agree with the decreased total-

P, the much higher secchi disc transparency, and the visual observation
that some A. flos-aquae was present. However, TKN at the Outlet

station was also high at that time.

Chemical data on surficial sediments from Howard Bay in 1968 are
available only for June, August, and October. Sedimentary TKN and
TSP levels showed sharp increases in August over June, paralleling
the increases in these parameters observed in the overlying water.
By October TKN and TSP had declined somewhat although, as already
pointed out, TKN in the water attained a maximum at that time.

Data on lake water were not obtained for the 1968-69 winter period

at Howard Bay. TKN was at an intermediate level (5.3 mg/1) in June,

1969, the first month that observations were made that year, and increased
to an extreme high of 14.6 mg/1 in July. Growth of A. flos-aquae

was described as "very heavy." SNOC peaked sharply with the TKN

on this occasion and minimal secchi disc values of 15 cm were

observed. TKN declined sharply in August but rose again somewhat

in September. SNOC decreased steadily after August, and water clarity
increased.

Low midsummer sedimentary N and P levels in 1969 corresponded to
the very sharp August rise in TKN and SNOC in the lake water, associated

15


2

Table -3 (Cont'd)
B. Secondary Stations

Sta. I Sta. J

11-20-68 11-7-68
Depth-cm 0-30__ 30-60 _ 60-90 _ 90-120 __ 120-150 150-160 _0-30 30-60 _ 60-90 90-120 _—-120-150
Constituent
Cond 208 236 245 250 268 234 230 288 314 309 300
pH 8.0 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.0 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.2
P-ortho 41 43 18 05 -03 -03 -09 15 15 +25 WU
P-total sol. 57 -63 -29 22 -21 14 15 21 25 +34 21
N-NH 9.3 10.9 12 12.6 13.4 V.8 11.4 15.9172 71 16.8
N-total Kjel. 13.8 17.8 16.2 17.8 17.0 16.2 12.8 14.9 17.3 19.1 18.2
N-NO, 10 05 -05 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 -06
N-NO, <.02 <.02  <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02
Hardness, T 37 43 42 41 43 35 57 62 79 76 72
Silica, sol 53 56 52 50 48 46 46 52 49 8 42



ee

Table 4
Lake Water Chemistry

at Primary Stations
A. Howard Bay

Date of Carbon Carbon Hardness Hardness lJ P—SiTtca
Collection Depth T.Alk. Cond. Total _SNOC Ca Total __ N-NH, N-HO, NcNO, TKN Ortho Total Soluble Ma X Cl $0,
9-15-67 s 55 10923, 10 33 wed 05 2.5.07 0827.8 = 12.0 2.1 8.8
10-12-67 s sat 10 4 ” 22.36 31.6 1828 0 7.6
11-16-67 s 59 (128k 8 n 55 1412 3.0.05 61S 3141.3 26 SOB?

b 58 1302 6 29 4a 20° 2.9 05 16 31.4 10.2 2.4 St
12-12-67 s 61 13922 7 29 9 02 0200 1S 32.8 G22 8.8
12-13-67 s 5913822 10 22 38 1.5 .@9 84 03) 18 32.8 1G 2.2 8.1

b $9 1392. 8 38 40 1.8.06 2.8 03) 210 29.30 1G 2.3 1.6
1-18-68 s 69 Bag 9 43 8 230.13 Ol 3.1013 320.013.0382

b J 263 7 3 66 88 2.6 Ne 0203.5 28 49 28.6 5.0 4.4 4°66 a7 6.5
1-31-68 s 3 (16928 9 42 43 1.8 06 <0) 3.9 12.36 394.00 12.0 2.8 wo 7.3

b 3 37 62 5) vo 126 1.7.05) 024A 4B 6S 37.9 28.0 Rw 7.0
3-02-68 s 70 296 43 18 102 106 <.l 30 01 3.8.02 +29 (18.3 199.0 3.0 <6 3 84

» 1S 38543. 2 V8 Vdc T3589 02 37ST 28.0 3.2) S73
4-04-68 s 8610519 26 BP dO} e012 <.01 0810.3 : 8.6

» 78 WSO 2 330 eV 02 OF 1 OF 0710.7 ‘ . ne
5-08-68 s 45 105 8 22 30 <2 9.8 <.01 06 9.6 a8 2.1 <0007.7

b 45 Vs ard 2 2 <J 02 0.8.01 05 9.6 8.8 1.9 <0 6.8
6-12-68 s 4 ON <1 <0 1.0 <.01 .08 8.2

b 43108, <. «.0 1.4.03 -.08 12.4 8.2
6-25-68 > so NG 28 6 +59 <0) <.01 2° 9.9 2.0 9.2L)
7-09-68 s so 120 2h 6.01 1.8 02.09 22.0 9.6

’ st 128 34.017 1.7.06) 1022.0 9.7
6-14-68 s 58 12638. or 78 AG 0} 4.6 0553S 938.2 8.)

b 5812636 65 7 S08 <0) 5.8 01.34 42.1 9.0 3.2 <5 10 9.8(L)
9-11-68 s 75 185 3B “4 V2 <.01 <.01 4.0.02 99 49.0 7.9

b 15 197 38 a 1.10 ¢.01 <.01 12.2 031.20 48.0
10-22-68 s rk} 180 30 6 28 39 0.50 <.01 <0) 5.5 .22 +30 (37.8 12.0 28 <6 <0 6.9
r) - bottom Na - sodium SNOC = solvble non-volatile organic carbon
Cl - chloride N-NH, - nitrogen-anmonia SQ, ~ sulfate

Cond. - conductivity (micromhos/cm) N-NO, - nitrogen-nitrite T.Alk. - total alkalinity, mE. Gaco,/t
K - potassium N-NO, - nitrogen-nitrate TKN i toral Bieldant nitrogen nh

- t s - surface Silica (soluble) expressed as meSiO,
o Jaboratory measuenens Concentrations espressed in ng/1


nutrient concentration in Howard Bay sediment were quite large in
comparision with those at Buck Island and the Outlet, with TKN and
ammonia-N fluctuating over a range in excess of 50 mg/l. At the
Outlet and Buck Island, fluctuations were less than 10 mg/1, and
were much more likely to represent random variations.

The earlier data of Miller and Tash! and of Miter! likewise
suggest that sediment-water interchange is of greater importance

to the nutrient budget of Howard Bay than to that of the rest of the
lake. Measurements made by them between March 1965 and April 1966
showed that the Wood and Williamson Rivers contributed 43 to 79 percent
of all nutrients entering Upper Klamath lake, with the remainder

coming from pristine streams, agricultural drainage, canals, and
springs. No significant point sources were found. Average
concentrations of most nutrients in lake water and tributary water

for the period March 1965 to April 1966 were quite similar. Total
phosphorus was higher in the inflow water (0.17 vs 0.11 mg/1).

Nitrogen concentration in the lake, on the other hand, averaged

over three times that in the tributaries, possibly as a result of
biological fixation. Boron, calcium, chloride, iron, magnesium,
potassium, silica, sodium, and sulfate showed little difference

between lake and influent water. However, significant exchange of these
substances between sediment and water probably would not be expected.

21


PREFACE

Upper Klamath Lake, a very large and seemingly naturally eutrophic
Oregon lake, has been the subject of a number of studies by

various researchers over the years. Work on that lake was

carried on intermittently by this laboratory from 1965 to 1970.

This ‘report summarizes results of studies begun in 1967 which

were oriented principally toward sediment-water nutrient interchange.

The cooperation of W. E. Miller, Pacific Northwest Environmental
Research Laboratory, in assisting in measurement of sediment thickness,
and in permitting use of his unpublished data, and of Julie A. Searcy,
also of PNERL, in the analysis of samples is gratefully acknowledged.
We also wish to thank R. E. Wildung and R. L. Schmidt, of Battelle-

Northwest Laboratories, for continued cooperation and helpful
suggestions.

ii


Ov

Table 5 (Cont'd)

C. Buck Island
° Total Sol. TotaT— Total Fe Total P—
, Date Ortho-P TSP Cond N-NHS N-TKjel Alk. Hardness Silica Carbon SNOC pH % dry wt = % dry wt
June 12, 1968 -98 033
June 25, 1968 ' 07 «15, 124146 56 35 26 22 6 6.7
Aug. 20, 1968 «11 27 191 (9 10.7 79 47 72 37 13 7.4
Sept.11, 1968 .08 21 133
Sept.24, 1968 07 W7 191 8.5 10.4 82 37 49 6.9 -90 026
Oct. 23, 1968 75 75 27% «6.2 9.6 97 76 51 26 Wg 7.4 1.22 -060
Nov. 6, 1968 58 -62 §.2 5.4 65 55 33 6
Rov. 19, 1963 3 37 78 8.2
Apr. 2, 1969 05 12 187 2.3 4.4 34 v n 6.4 1.35 065
May 7, 1969 14 36 132 2.0 5.5 60 38 36 7.7 ;
June 3, 1969. .12 221 1372.4 4.5 58 38 36 7.7
June 12, 1969 30 36 134 (2.2 3.9 62 ‘60 38 7.8
duly 16, 1969 © .13 221 1601.8 4.1 49 8 7.8
Aug. 5, 1°69 13 +24 Wz 2.8 4.8 54 36 7.9
Aug. 27, i969 +21 40 WwW 7.9 1.25, 062
Sept. 9, 1969 +16 37 ne 2.0 4.4 46 40 7.9 1.35 058
Sept.30, 1969 +20 259 lat «1.9 6.0 54 44 8.2
Oct. 21, 1969 10 21 129 «1.3 3.7 40 7.4
Feb. 24, 1970 03 16 120.«1.9 3.5 61 33 6.6
Mar. 26, 1970 04 14 124° «1.4 2.5 60 33 20 5 6.6
Apr. 27, 1970 + .05 07 120° «1.3 2.6 57 34 27 7.7
June 3, 1970 08 - -220 "135° «1.4 3.2 64 42 28 7.4
July 7, 1970 02 147 7.2



Table 5

Interstitial Water Chemistry

at Primary Stations

(Surficial Sediment Grab Samples)

A. Howard Ba.
Total Sol. —_Total Total Fe Total P
Date Ortho-P TSP Cond Heit, N-TKjel Alk. Hardness Silica. Carbon SOC“ pH % dry wt 4% dry wt

June 12, 1968 2.9 3.1 525 30 Ki) 234 155 46 59 10 7.5 1.29 -088
dune 25, 1958 6.2 6.2 704 46 325 144 54 75 n 7.4

duly 10, 1968 6.2 6.2 658 = 39 57 15 7.8

Aug. 14, 1968 9.0 9.0 893 54 63 452° (189 96 v7 7.7

Aug. 20, 1958 10.5 10.5 1076 86 86 589 203 91 m4 19 8.1 1.20 +058
Aug. 27, 1908 = 9.8 9.5 939 67 123 450 207 97 7.9

Sept.11, 1268 8.5 9.0 1008 8.1

Sept.25, 1963 7.0 7.2 889 7

Oct. 23, 1968 8.5 8.5 1022 85 72 189 63 7.7 1,20 064
Gec, 10, 1968 7.9 726 «48 8.0

Apr. 2, 1969 7.1 11.2 944 64 66 42 106 1 7.2 1.45 116
May 7, 1969 72. 104 386 4.0 165 128 38 “7.7 064
June 3, 1969 232 40 188 2.3 3.9 85 60 3 8.0

June 12, 1969 6.0 6.0 775° 38.5 40.8 362 192 56 7.9

duly 16, 1959 230 45 148 3.6 6.1 65 37 7.9

Aug. 5, 1959 64 64 = 244 8.8 8.2 88 29 7.9

Fug. 27, 1969 1.8 1.8 426 7.7 - 1.40 076
Sept. 9, 1969 2.6 8.0 462 22 27 209 48 7.5 1.35 064
Sept.30, 1959 4.6 4.6 596 30 35 283 50 7.5

Oct. 21, 1959 ° 6.4 6.4 761 58 69 48 7.2

Jan. 13, 1970 1.3 1.5 457-16 V7 189 43 53 13 7.2

War. 26, 1970 3.0 3.2 511 20 19 255 46 . 72 20 6.8

Apr. 27, 1970 5.5 5.3 648 = 40 38 319 126 50 7

dune 3, 1970 4.9 4.0 469 20 22 231 123 48 - 7.3

vuly 7, 1970 4.9 562

77

Hote: Concentrations expressed in mg/1.
Total Fe and P determined: on dried sample.


SECTION VI
METHODS

Three primary sampling sites for lake water and sediment were utilized
in the present study (Figure 1). They were located (a) near the

inner (southern) end of Howard Bay, (b) just south of Buck Island,

and (c) near the lake outlet. In the text they are referred to as

Howard Bay, Buck Island, and the Outlet, respectively. Seven other
stations were visited solely to obtain sediment cores, and are designated
stations D through J.

Water samples were obtained with a Van Dorn type PVC sampler from the
surface and near bottom, and surficial sediment samples, unless otherwise
noted, with an Eckman grab. Cores were taken with a modified corer
described by Livingstone” which utilizes filament tape in the core
barrel to reduce compaction.

Interstitial water was separated from sediment following the method

of Gahler.® Samples were centrifuged at 13,000 rpm in 250 ml polycarbonate
bottles in a refrigerated (4°C) centrifuge, and the supernatant interstitial
water filtered through a 0.45 y» membrane filter.

Laboratory and field analytical procedures were the same as described
by Gahler’, and are listed in the appendix.


Successful dating of all the core segments was not accomplished.
However, with the exception of the 60 cm depth at the mid-lake location,
the age of the sediments in each core increased with depth. There

is no ready explanation -for the apparent age anomaly at the mid-

lake location, unless some sort of translocation of sediments occurred
in the geologic past. The oldest indicated sediment was at 90 cm

in the Buck Island core [4110 + 210 years BP (before present)],
although its age differed but little from that at the same depth

in the Outlet core. Sediment at 90 cm at the mid-lake location

was roughly 1700 to 1900 years younger than at the other two sites.

It is difficult to relate these data to those pertaining to apparent
thickness of recent unconsolidated deposits. If it is assumed that
the average age of about 4200 years at the 90-cm depth in the Buck
Island Outlet cores is representative for sediments in that region
of the lake, then the deepest sediments there (about 18 m) are approximately
84,000 years old. However, the indicated ages at the 30 and 60 cm
depths in the Outlet core show an accelerated rate of sedimentation
in more recent years, possibly related to changes in the watershed
and in the trophic status of the lake. The difference in age between
the 60 and 90 cm depths is about 3,000 years, whereas that between
30 and 60 cm is only about 100 years. The overall average rate of
deposition at the Outlet is approximately 0.22 mm per year, but it

is obvious that actual rates have fluctuated greatly.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The sediments at the primary sites: Howard Bay, the Outlet and Buck
Island, were composed of diatom frustules, organic matter, and mineralogical

components consisting of feldspar, chlorite, vermiculite, and mica
(Wildung, Blaylock, Routson, and Gahler) .2 Sediment samples from

10


EPA-660/3-74-015
August 1974

SEDIMENTS AND SEDIMENT-WATER NUTRIENT
INTERCHANGE IN UPPER KLAMATH LAKE, OREGON

By

William D. Sanville
Charles F. Powers
Arnold R. Gahler
Pacific Northwest Environmental Research Laboratory
National Environmental Research Center
Corvallis, Oregon

Program Element 1BA031

NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CORVALLIS, OREGON 97330


Table 3 (Cont'd)
B. Secondary Stations

Sta. G Sta. H

W-7-68 11-7-68
Depth-cm 0-30 60-90 120-150 0-30 30-60 60-90 90-120 ~—'120-150
Constituent
Cond 195 255 349 153 217 248 262 281
pH 8.0 8.0 8.2 7.9 8.0 8.1 8.1 8.1
P-ortho 14 WW +25 04 45 09 .08 06
P-total sol 18 19 +34 15 59 +23 -23 225
N-NH 7.2 10.8 14.8 4.2 7.8 10.1 10.6 N
N-total Kjel 7.4 u 5.7 9.5 12.8 15.5
N-NO, <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03 <.03
N-NO, <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02 <.02
Hardness, T 57 62 79 76 72
Silica, Sol. 50 56 _ 10.5? 44 62 51 42 40

31


There is little doubt that in a large shallow lake such as Upper
Klamath Lake, turbulent mixing frequently extends to the bottom.
Disturbance of the fine, flocculent sediment must often result,

with consequent mixing of interstitial and lake water. The inverse
relation between nutrient concentrations-in interstitial water and
overlying lake water which were observed at the three primary stations,
particularly Howard Bay, may be an indication of uptake of sediment-
contained nutrients by photosynthetic organisms.

Wildung and Schmidt? also noted variations in sediment and water
phosphorus chemistry which appeared to be related to biological activity.
Decreases in total and inorganic P in Howard Bay sediments in the

early summer of 1969 were related to the exponential growth of A.
flos-aquae. The following year reductions in sediment P in Howard

Bay in April and August coincided with an extensive increase in diatom
numbers and a delayed A. flos-aquae bloom. Therefore, they suggested

that considerable quantities of sediment P were released at times

of maximum production in Howard Bay, but that because of algal uptake
these losses from the sediments were not reflected in increased concentrations
of dissolved P in the water. In comparisions of SNOC in the water

with sediment inorganic P in Howard Bay, a significant inverse correlation
was found, a further indication of utilization of sedimentary nutrients
in biological production.

Further evidence favoring the likelihood of biological utilization

of sedimentary nutrients has been provided by Morita’, who has shown
that bacteria isolated from Upper Klamath Lake sediment have the
ability to solubilize phosphate precipitates through the production

of necessary organic acids. However, in order for the soluble
phosphate to become available for algae, there must be an interchange
between the sediment and the overlying water. He suggested that

for shallow Upper Klamath Lake wind stress could result in physical
suspension of sediment and consequent mixing of the soluble phosphorus
with the lake water. Such suspension and mixing appear to be a distinct

19


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been grouped into five series. These five broad
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was consciously planned to foster technology
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This report has been assigned to the ECOLOGICAL
RESEARCH series. This series. describes research
on the effects of pollution on humans, plant and
animal Species, and materials. Problems are
assessed for their long- and short-term
influences. Investigations include formaticn,
transport, and pathway studies to determine the
fate of pollutants and their effects. This work
provides the technical basis for setting standards
to minimize undesirable changes in living
organisms in the aquatic, terrestrial and
atmospheric environments.

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For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.8. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $1.10


4

ee

Lo}

8
SECCHI DISC, cm

by

°
>
TOTAL, ORTHO-P,

°

iu a
= = a 4 ==
3 gah 28F 83 3
z age gad aa
z 2Ne eu zz22z
Z ee 936 i i
9 ata 845 qqidq
20 -- _
(ce) |
L IN |
- I \ | =
> + I \ SECCHI DISC i
E | \ if
- — \
9° / \ TOTAL-P |
2 '79Q \ qi 7
z[ - ~~ LAKE | o|
x oF WATER 4 Vo-7 4
thn LA
L K 4
ORTHO-P es.
to) puyyprd WANS
[ TTTrTrrrrrrryrTttrtrrryryrry rere rer yy CUT

@
3°

40

TKN, NHg-N, TSP, mg/I

{e}

te 1967

Figure 3.

Howard Bay

SOND]JFMAMJ JASONDIVFMAMJ I
968

INTERSTITIAL
WATER

43

4

Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 1968-69.


Table 2. Physical Properties of Upper Klamath Lake Sediments*
(Dry basis, except as noted)

Organic Textural

Sediment Matter Water** Texture Description
% % Sand Silt Clay -
% % %
2.0- 0.05-

0.05 mm 0.002 mm <0.002 m ~~

Howard Bay 18.4 91.3 3.1 40.6 56.3 Silty Clay
Buck Island 14.2 91.1 4.9 52.3 42.9 Silty Clay

*Data obtained via personal communication from V. Volk, Oregon State University.
**Wet Basis

27


9

Table 4 (conttd)
B. Outlet

Date of Carbon Carbon Hardness Hardness P P Stltca

Collection Depth T.Alk. Cond. Total _SNOC_ __Ca Total N-NH, NcNO, N-NO, TKN Ortho Total Soluble Na’ K Cl SO, pi
05-06-69 s a 8 4 4 26 30 03 <0) <0 6 <.Ol26 at. 1,9 cB TO 6.8
06-03-69 s 43 a 4 36 38 52.01.0116 <0) 08" 23

06-03-69 b a 21 5 30 wu 7B <0.) 19 OT 0828

07-16-69 s 4 O27 29 32 23 <0 0128 <0 16 9.6
07-16-69 b “& 19 2 © 8 30 31 1B <0 0127 OTS 9.5
08-04-69 s 4 108 1.0 45 2238 9.7
08-04-69 b 49 108 90 4.0 20 37 9.7
08-28-69 s sn a 36 72 <.01 <0) 2.9 40. <10 9.7
09-09-69 s a 06 <.01<,.01 4.2 3640 <10 9.3
09-09-69 b ne 27 07 02.01 3.3 4640 <10 9.2
09-30-69 s a eT 32 O02 OT 430588 10 9.6
09-30-69 b 48 00CO«NB 6, a 09 <0) <0) 4.20828 <10 9.7
10-21-69 s 49 35 04 3.8 320 M8716 8.3
10-21-69 b 49 33 04 2.8 23 45 95 16 8.3
01-13-70 s nn, 3 wt 15 2.4 02 1B 7.3

01-13-70 b 51 n3 ral 4 33 wy AS : 2.4 02 6 39 73


SECTION X
REFERENCES

Miller, W. E. and J. C. Tash. Upper Klamath Lake studies, Oregon.
Interim Report, U. S. Dept. of Interior, FWPCA, Publication No. WP-20-8,
Water Pollution Control Research Series, September 1967.

Norita, R. Y. Sediment-water-bacteria interactions in eutrophication.
Office of Research and Monitoring, U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency. Final Report, Project 16010EBB. x + 121 p., March 1972.

Wildung, R. E. and R. L. Schmidt. Phosphorus release from Take
sediments. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency. Office of
Research and Monitoring, Ecological Research Series, No. EPA-R3-73-
024, April 1973. xvi + 185 p., April 1973.

Galler, A. R. Field studies on sediment-water algal nutrient
interchange processes and water quality of Upper Klamath and Agency
Lakes. Working Paper 66, Pacific Northwest Water Laboratory, U.S.
Dept. of Interior, Corvallis, Oregon, October 1969.

Marston, R.,, Federal Water Pollution Control Administration.
Personal Communication.

Bond, C. E., C. R. Hazel, and D. Vincent. Relations of nuisance
algae to fishes in Upper Klamath Lake. Terminal Progress Report
for FWPCA. Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife, Oregon State Univ.,
Corvallis, Oregon, 1968.

Livingstone, D. A. The use of filament tape in raising long cores
from soft sediment. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 346-348. April 1967.

22


SECTION V
DESCRIPTION OF LAKE SYSTEM AND WATERSHED

Upper Klamath Lake is a-natural body located in the structural valley,
the Klamath Graben, in southern Oregon east of the Cascade Mountains
(Figure 1). Its area (combined with that of the smaller Agency Lake,
considered an integral part of the system) is about 31,000 ha (120 sq. mi),
one of the largest water areas in the western United States. Water
level is regulated by a dam constructed in 1917, which maintains

the surface elevation between 1261 and 1264 m, with a mean lake depth
of 2.44 m. The watershed is about 985,000 ha (3800 square miles),
much of which is located in mountainous volcanic areas or rolling
regions covered with volcanic pumice deposits derived from formation
of the Crater Lake caldera. Principal inflows to the lake are the
Williamson and Wood Rivers. Upper Klamath Lake discharges into the
Klamath River which eventually enters the Pacific Ocean in northern
California.

The lakes are used extensively by waterfowl during the fall and spring
migrations in the Pacific Flyway .° Rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri)
are common in the lake in early spring but later migrate into the
tributaries and spring areas. Two, genera of Cyprinidae, blue chub ;
(Gila bicolor) and tui chub (Siphateles bicolor), constitute 90 percent
of the total fish population.

The elevation of the watershed varies generally from approximately

1281 m to 2440 m with some of the higher peaks reaching elevations

greater than 2745 m. The Cascade Mountain Range borders the watershed

to the west and creates a rain shadow over much of the area. Precipitation
varies with location in the watershed; the sheltered, lower elevations
receive 25-76 cm annually and the higher regions up to 152 cm. Most
precipitation occurs between October and March.


“TTTTTrTrrrrrrtyrrrrrrtyrt ri ryt
a
5 z a
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w cz Zu Zz
x ao Wig rrr]
& aod a’ rat
: . Ze :
E z ¢4- ag
° xr re Ir x
: a Qe aa a
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rs LL 4
S100 5
n Lippi tt ppt tt o
€
_ Ke) TTTYTrrrrrrrrrrrrrryrtyrrrsriyt ft i o
> aro. LAKE WATER dos ¢
EB 8F Gsnoc ~~ 08 O
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3 3
2
a 4 044°
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2 o22
x 2 <
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IgF
'6-F INTERSTITIAL
- L WATER
xT 14
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2 lok
x
z §r
z 6 AMMONIA-N
Fogabt
ar
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Figure 4. Chemistry of Lake Water and Interstitial Water, 1968-69,

the Outlet
4h


SELECTED WATER 2, Report fo. | 2. 3. Accession No.
RESOURCES ABSTRACTS . WwW
INPUT TRANSACTION FORM _ '
“THe SEDIMENTS AND SEDIMENT-WATER NUTRIENT INTERCHANGE 1g Berens
TN UPPER KLAMATH LAKE, OREGON .
&. Vevformify Organization
Report No. .
7. Author(s)
W. D. SANVILLE, C. F. POWERS and A. R. GAHLER To. Project No.
EUTROPHICATION AND LAKE RESTORATION BRANCH
PACIFIC NORTHWEST ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY = (iy. convactiGrnt No.
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY -

CORVALLIS, OREGON 97330 Pee ae

= AB. Type OF Report and

“PROTECTION AGENCY. Period Covered

15. Supplementary Notes

Environmental Protection Agency report number , EPA-660/3-Th-015,
August 197)

16. Abstract

Upper Klamath Lake, a very large, shallow lake in south-central Oregon, has a
history of nuisance blue-green algae blooms, predominantly Aphanizomenon flos-aquae.
Lake water and sediment interstitial water chemistry were monitored during 1968 and
-] 1969, and for a short time in 1970. Nutrient concentrations in interstitial water of
sediment exposed to direct agricultural drainage were several orders of magnitude
greater than in cases where sediments were not so located. Nutrient concentrations
showed considerable seasonal variation in both interstitial and lake waters. Variations
in lake and interstitial waters frequently, but not always, exhibited inverse
relationships. The larger fluctuations appeared to correlate with density of
A. flos-aquae.

Although strong evidence of biological uptake of sedimentary nutrients
was found, dredging of the lake would probably not be effective as a restorative
measure because of the high nutrient concentrations present at depth in the sediment.

#gedtments , *nutrients, algal blooms, vater quality,
eutrophication, agricultural chemicals.

7b. Identifiers

pper Klamath Lake

17c, COWRR Field & Group QC

18. Availability 19. Seenrity Class. 21. No. of Send To:
+" Report) Pages
2. Sevurity Class. 22. Prive U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
(Pagey WASHINGTON, OC. £0240
Abstractor C.F. Powers [instiwsion_Pactfic NW Environmental Research Lab

‘Yr US, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1974— 582-415/125


SECTION VII
CHARACTERIZATION OF SEDIMENTS

THICKNESS OF RECENT SEDIMENTS

A survey to determine the thickness of the very soft, fine-grained
recent sediments in Agency and Upper Klamath Lakes was carried out
in June 1968, utilizing a 8.5 KHz, 1500 watt high energy recording
sonar and a 100 cycle, 16 joule Pulser system. The first horizon
having significant continuity occurs at depths of 14.6 to 32.6 m
below the lake surface and is believed to represent the approximate
base of recent, unconsolidated lake deposits. The depth of this
horizon is shown on the map in Figure 2. Several shallower
reflecting horizons (not shown) are discontinuous and are believed
to represent geologic structure within the recent lacustrine
deposits. During this study the lake depth ranged between 2.1 and
2.4 m with occasional localized holes to 11.3 m.

SEDIMENTATION RATES

Cores were taken at site G in mid-lake, at Buck Island, and at the Outlet
for radiocarbon dating. Sections were removed at points + 5 cm

on both sides of the 15, 30, 60, and 90-cm depths of the core for

dating by the Radioisotopes and Radiations Laboratory, Washington

State University. Results are summarized in Table 1.