Principal Investigator: Alfred W. Hoadley (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Principal Investigator: Mark A. McClanahan (Georgia Institute of Technology)
Sponsor: GWRI
Start Date: 1970-12-01; Completion Date: 1972-06-30;
Keywords:
Description:
Seasonal limnological changes in the vicinity of a major (1200 acres) recreational facility on Lake Sidney Lanier, Georgia were studied from November, 1970 to November 1971. During the study period only the beginning phases of construction occurred (clearing and grading land, road construction and utility installation). Parameters measured included: temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, Secchi disk transparency and iron and nitrate concentrations. A positive heterograde oxygen profile with the maximum in the metalimnion developed during summer stratification. This type oxygen profile was found both around the construction site and in the open lake. Occurrence of this type of profile at both 10 cations indicates that the lake water contained the nutrients necessary for the production of oxygen rather than their being washed into the lake from the construction site. The only detectable influence of the construction activity at the site on lake water quality was siltation of some of the bays near where large areas of land had been cleared and the soil disturbed. Analysis of the available data indicates that the part of Lake Lanier studied could be classified as mesotrophic. However, it could be caused to become eutrophic in a rather short period of time if the influent waters are allowed to be degraded by man-made wastes.