POLK COUNTY LWRD: Horse Lake Phase 2, Historical Changes

The Polk County Land and Water Resources Department is integrating Horse Lake into a continuing comprehensive study of Lotus Lake. Phases 1 and 2 for Horse Lake coordinate with similar projects for Lotus Lake. These phases utilize various public education elements, including results-sharing, newsletter mailings, presentations, and report publication and will provide management recommendations.

Phase 1 project activities include: water quality monitoring (mid-lake, inflow, outflow, and turnover); tributary flow monitoring; groundwater monitoring; algal community assessment and toxin analyses; zooplankton community assessment; macrophyte mapping; macroinvertebrate assessment; and coarse woody habitat inventory.

Phase 2 project activities include: paleolimnological core collection and full-core analysis. Land use history will be compared with trophic reconstructions inferred from the sediment core to determine the impact and timing of watershed disturbances on water quality. This information will assist with determination of stable ecosystem state and development of water quality goals.

Activities

• Information and Education
• Develop/Distribute Newsletter
• Monitor Water Quality or Sediment