Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Clean Lakes Program%3A Phase 1 Diagnostic and Feasibility Study, Patriots Park Lake, Kingsbury Park District, Bond County, Illinois

              Kingsbury Park District
Patriots Park Lake
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
CLEAN LAKES PROGRAM
Phase 1 Diagnostic and Feasibility Study
PATRIOTS PARK LAKE, KINGSBURY PARK DISTRICT, BOND COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Prepared by:
Jerry Sauerwein, Executive Director, Kingsbury Park District
Dan Marsch, Technical Assistant
Matt Shively, Eric Ahern, William Ahern,
Jake Hartter, Zahniser Institute for Environmental Studies
David Patrick, Heartland Ecosystem Services, Inc.
Jeff Stone, Heartland Ecosystem Services, Inc.
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART 1: DIAGNOSTIC STUDY Page
Introduction.........................................................................................................................1
Geological and Soils Description of the Drainage Basin.....................................................3
Public Access and Benefit ...................................................................................................5
Size and Economic Structure of Potential User Population.................................................7
Summary of Historical Lake Uses .......................................................................................9
Population Segments Adversely Affected By Lake Degradation......................................12
Comparison of Lake Usage to Other Lakes Within 80 km................................................12
Inventory of Point Source Pollutant Discharges................................................................15
Land Uses and Nonpoint Pollution Loading......................................................................15
Lake Monitoring ................................................................................................................18
Hydrologic Sediment and Nutrient Budgets .....................................................................19
Patriot’s Park Lake Historical Data ...................................................................................21
Current Limnological Data ................................................................................................25
Tributary Monitoring .........................................................................................................39
Sediment Survey ................................................................................................................49
Bathymetric Mapping ........................................................................................................51
Shoreline Erosion...............................................................................................................54
Trophic Status ....................................................................................................................56
Biological Monitoring........................................................................................................57
Fisheries .............................................................................................................................61
Macrophyte Survey............................................................................................................63
Bacteriology......................................................................................................................67
Wildlife ..............................................................................................................................69
Ecological Relationships....................................................................................................74
References Part 1 ...............................................................................................................75
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PART 2: FEASIBILITY STUDY Page
Introduction.......................................................................................................................79
Existing Lake Quality Problems and Their Causes ...........................................................79
Objectives For Lake Restoration .......................................................................................80
Watershed Initiatives .........................................................................................................80
In-Lake Initiatives..............................................................................................................88
General Alternatives ..........................................................................................................91
Initiatives by Others...........................................................................................................91
Phase II Monitoring Programs ...........................................................................................92
Sources of Matching Funds ...............................................................................................93
Operations and Maintenance Plan .....................................................................................94
Permits for Restoration Plan ..............................................................................................94
Environmental Evaluation .................................................................................................94
References Part 2 ...............................................................................................................96
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure No. Page
1. Patriot’s Park Lake Location ...................................................................................2
2. Map of Lake Access.................................................................................................6
3. Employment Sectors In Bond County .....................................................................9
4. Diving Structures and Bath House.........................................................................10
5. Diving Tower and Other Features..........................................................................10
6. Bath House.............................................................................................................11
7. Patriot’s Park Lake NW End Before Sediment Basin Construction......................11
8. Lakes Within 80 km...............................................................................................14
9. Patriot’s Park Lake Sampling Sites........................................................................18
10. Lake Total Suspended Solids.................................................................................27
11. Lake Volatile Suspended Solids ............................................................................28
12. Lake Non-Volatile Suspended Solids ....................................................................29
13. Secchi ....................................................................................................................31
14. Lake Total Phosphorous ........................................................................................32
15. Lake Total Nitrogen...............................................................................................33
16. Lake Nitrate Nitrogen ............................................................................................34
17. Lake Organic Nitrogen ..........................................................................................35
18. Lake Ammonia Nitrogen .......................................................................................36
19. Lake pH..................................................................................................................37
20. In-Lake and Tributary Sampling Sites...................................................................37
21. Tributary Total Suspended Solids..........................................................................41
22. Tributary Volatile Suspended Solids .....................................................................42
23. Tributary Non-Volatile Suspended Solids.............................................................43
24. Tributary Total Phosphorous .................................................................................44
25 Tributary Nitrate Nitrogen .....................................................................................45
26. Tributary Organic Nitrogen ...................................................................................46
27. Tributary Ammonia Nitrogen ................................................................................47
28. Tributary Total Nitrogen........................................................................................48
29. Bathymetric Map ...................................................................................................52
30. Shoreline Erosion Map ..........................................................................................55
31. Chlorophyll a .........................................................................................................60
32. Macrophyte Survey Map and Key .........................................................................64
33. Fecal Coliforms......................................................................................................68
34. Bird’s Observed at Patriot’s Park Lake .................................................................71
35. Extended Detention Stormwater Wetland .............................................................81
36. Location of ED Wetlands.......................................................................................81
37. Basins to be Cleaned Out.......................................................................................86
38. Potential CRP Incentive Areas...............................................................................87
39. Conservation Cover Incentive Areas .....................................................................87
40. Conservation Easement / Restoration Areas..........................................................88
41. Existing Contours of Sediment Basin ....................................................................89
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LIST OF TABLES
Table No. Page
1. Lake Identification and Location .............................................................................3
2. Soil Types and Characteristics.................................................................................5
3. Potential User Population By County ......................................................................8
4. Potential User Population by City............................................................................8
5. Household Income Comparison...............................................................................9
6. Historical Lake Usage............................................................................................12
7. Lakes Within 80 km of Patriot’s Park Lake...........................................................13
8. Bond County Tillage Practices ..............................................................................15
9. Patriot’s Park Land Use .........................................................................................15
10. Sediment Survey ....................................................................................................17
11. Hydrologic Budget.................................................................................................19
12. Annual Nonpoint Nutrient Loading.......................................................................21
13. Sediment Budget....................................................................................................22
14. Nitrogen Budget.....................................................................................................23
15. Phosphorous Budget ..............................................................................................24
16. Historical Water Quality Data ...............................................................................25
17. Historical Sediment Analysis Data ........................................................................25
18. Morphometric Data................................................................................................25
19. Tributary Sampling Dates ......................................................................................40
20. Sediment Survey Results .......................................................................................50
21. Sediment Classifications........................................................................................50
22. Patriot’s Park Lake Sediments Organic .................................................................51
23. Patriot’s Park Lake Fish Stocking Records ...........................................................61
24. IEPA Fish Tissue Samples.....................................................................................62
25. Macrophyte Survey Areas 1-15 .............................................................................65
26. Macrophyte Survey Areas 16-32 ...........................................................................66
27. Bird Count Estimates .............................................................................................70
28. Illinois Endangered and Extinct Species................................................................72
29. Currently Listed Species Potentially Occurring in Bond County..........................73
30. Projected Long-Term Removal Rates for Stormwater Wetlands in the
Mid Atlantic Region ..............................................................................................84
31. Funding Sources for Restoration Program.............................................................93
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LIST OF APPENDICES
Phytoplankton ....................................................................................................Appendix A
Fisheries Data..................................................................................................... Appendix B
Dam Report........................................................................................................ Appendix C
Dissolved Oxygen / Temperature Profile ..........................................................Appendix D
Data Tables ........................................................................................................ Appendix E
Internal Regeneration Loading ...........................................................................Appendix F
Project Schedule.................................................................................................Appendix G
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Illinois Clean Lakes Program
Phase I Diagnostic- Feasibility Study of Patriot's Park Lake, Bond County, Illinois
PART 1
DIAGNOSTIC STUDY
INTRODUCTION
Patriot's Park Lake (Greenville Old City Lake), constructed in 1933, is a centerpiece resource for
the Kingsbury Park District (KPD). With its convenient access and diverse facilities, the lake is
also a major recreational resource for Bond County and surrounding areas (Figure 1). At 26
acres, the lake receives inflow from a total watershed area of 900 acres. Approximately 69% of
the watershed is cropland, with the remaining 31% composed of pasture, forest, and urban land
uses (Table 9). The lake is entirely owned by the KPD. The lake is also a significant feature of
the Shoal Creek Basin and Kaskaskia River (HUC 07140203). Patriot’s Park Lake functions in
part to control water quality in its contributing watershed area, and so the health of the lake has a
significant effect on the health of the larger ecosystem.
Historic data collected by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) by way of its
Ambient Lake Monitoring Program (ALMP), indicated elevated levels of nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorus compounds). This resulted in a major fish kill in 1987. Additionally, there has been
an observed loss of volume and surface area in the sediment basin (settling forebay) constructed
from a segment of the north end of the lake. The local office of the Natural Resource
Conservation Service (NRCS) and its Resource Planning Committee, as well the KPD, have
conducted extensive planning and review of the problem. Evidence pointed to use impairment
and shortened life span of the lake due to sedimentation, nutrient loading and eutrophication.
In an effort to develop a comprehensive understanding of water quality issues and to aid in
developing scientifically sound restoration measures, the KPD applied for a Phase I Diagnostic /
Feasibility Study grant from the IEPA. In December of 2000 the KPD submitted a final grant
application to the IEPA to study Patriot's Park Lake. The IEPA provided cost sharing for this
study through their Clean Lakes Program, funded by the state-sponsored Conservation 2000
(C2K) program in Illinois.
In February of 2001, the Kingsbury Park District was awarded funding for the study of Patriot's
Park Lake through the IEPA Clean Lakes Program. Work on the study began in May of 2001
and included extensive field sampling, water quality analyses and data interpretation. The results
of this effort are described in the remainder of this diagnostic portion of the report.
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Figure 1. Patriot’s Park Lake Location
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Table 1. Lake Identification and Location
Lake Name Patriot's Park (Greenville Old City)
IEPA Lake Code ROY
State Illinois
County Bond
Nearest City Greenville
Latitude 38° 53'30"
Longitude 89° 26'00"
USEPA Region 5
Major Basin 07 Upper Mississippi
Minor Basin 14 Kaskaskia
USGS Hydrologic Unit Code 07140203
Major Tributary None
Receiving Water Body East Fork Shoal Creek
Water Quality Standards Title 35 Environmental Protection; Subtitle C
Water Pollution; Chapter I Pollution Control
Board; Part 302 Water Quality Standards
GEOLOGICAL AND SOILS DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAINAGE BASIN
The following geological and groundwater description is primarily taken from a 1995 report
compiled by Dr. Leon Winslow, Geology professor at Greenville College (Winslow 1995).
The Greenville area is part of a belt of low ridges and hills that rise above a broad, flat,
physiographic area called the Springfield Plain. Here the landscape was shaped largely by great,
slow-moving continental masses of ice, called glaciers that covered much of Illinois repeatedly
during the past million years or so. Glaciers left deposits of materials on the irregular bedrock
surface; these materials, generally unconsolidated, but sometimes as dense as claystone, include
pebbly clay (till), water-laid sand and gravel (outwash), and wind-laid silt (loess). The glacial
deposits (drift) are 150 feet thick or more in the Greenville area. The soils here, as well as in
most of the rest of Illinois, are developed in the upper portion of the glacial deposits.
4
Evidence for pre-Illinoisan glaciation has been reported. The older glacier came across this area,
following about the same path as the Illinoisan glaciers, from a region of snow and ice
accumulation in northeastern Canada. Remains of these early deposits have been buried by
younger glacial deposits left by Illinoisan glaciers that slowly advanced across the state,
establishing the southernmost limit of continental glaciation in North America. Glaciers of
Wisconsinan age reached to within about 45 miles northeast of Greenville. Although
Wisconsinan drift did not cover the Greenville area, silts and loess of Wisconsinan age do mantle
the older Sangamon soil that had developed on the Illinoisan till plain.
Curious features are found on the Illinoisan till plain in the Greenville and adjacent areas:
elongated ridges and knolls that trend primarily north-northeast. The elongated ridges are
composed largely of sand and gravel, and the knolls scattered across the landscape contain
gravel, glacial till, and blocks of ice-thrusted bedrock. The origin of these features has been the
object of much debate throughout this century, but the latest research indicates that they are the
result of deposition from glaciers that, for the most part, were stagnant. These deposits have
been of considerable interest for many years because they are one of the most important sources
of building and road materials in southern Illinois.
The relatively loose Quaternary deposits in the Greenville area are underlain by consolidated,
layered bedrock strata of late Pennsylvanian age that were deposited in shallow seas that some
275 million years ago repeatedly covered this part of what is now the Mid-continent Region of
North America. Relatively thin layers of rock, such as shale, limestone, coal, and sandstone, are
exposed only at a few places along stream banks and in quarries and roadcuts. Older strata,
known from water, oil and gas prospect wells, have an aggregate thickness here of between
6,000 and 7,000 feet. These strata dip down gently to the south and east into the deeper parts of
the Illinois Basin forming a broad, shallow, spoon-shaped bedrock depression that underlies
much of southern Illinois and adjacent portions of southwestern Indiana and western Kentucky.
Groundwater (in this area) is obtained from underground reservoirs occurring in beds of
saturated glacial sand and gravel or stream alluvium, or in porous or creviced bedrock layers.
Groundwater is released slowly in to creeks, lakes, and ponds during dry periods, replenishing
water lost through evaporation, outflow, and well water and other withdraws. Exfiltration is not
a significant source of water exflow from Patriot's Park Lake.
The original municipal water supply for Greenville was obtained from shallow sand and gravel
wells located in the southern part of the city that tapped the Hagarstown Member of the Glasford
Formation. In 1923, this location was abandoned when eight new wells ranging from 45 to 60
feet deep were put into service just north of the depot between Second and Third Streets (in
Greenville). The combined yield of these new wells was about 195 gallons per minute (gpm). In
1927, seven new wells (average depth, 62 ft.) were opened north of the stockyard; they had a
total yield of about 300gpm. Additional exploration, only partially successful, for sand and
gravel well sites was undertaken as water demands increased in the 1940s and 1950s. In the late
1960s, damming the Kingsbury Branch north of Greenville formed Governor Bond Lake. This
lake covers 775 acres and provides drinking water for the city and surrounding communities.
Patriot's Park Lake has never been a municipal raw water source.
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Type Percent Slope Eroded
Cowden Silt Loam 1.19 0-5 no
Cowden-Piasa Silt Loam 30.44 0-5 no
Oconee Silt Loam 0.59 0-2% no
Oconee Silt Loam 1.19 2-5% no
Oconee Silt Loam 3.57 2-5% yes
Oconee-Darmstadt Silt Loam 5.95 0-3 no
Oconee-Darmstadt Silt Loam 7.25 2-5% yes
Hosmer Silt Loam 1.1 2-5% no
Stoy Silt Loam 8.44 0-2% no
Stoy Silt Loam 10.58 2-5% no
Stoy Silt Loam 2.62 2-5% yes
Pike Silt Loam 4.28 2-5% no
Wakeland Silt Loam 0.71 0-2 no
Percent of total: 77.91
Percent Eroded Soil Type: 13.44
Atlas Silty Clay Loam 5.11 5-10% yes
Parke Silt Loam 1.31 5-12% yes
Hosmer Silt Loam 1.9 5-10% yes
Percent of total: 8.32
Percent Eroded Soil Type: 8.32
Hickory Silt Loam 13.79 15-30% no
Percent of total: 13.79
Percent Eroded Soil Type: 13.79
Soil Types in Patriot's Park Lake Watershed
Table 2. Soil Types and Characteristics
The topography of the watershed ranges from nearly level to gently rolling hills which become
increasingly steep in proximity to streams. Nearly 70% of the land area in the watershed is in
agricultural production. Three percent of the watershed, occurring mostly along streams, is
forested. The remainder is either pasture, residential or open water.
Soil Associations
Major soil associations found within the Patriot's Park Lake watershed include:
• Oconee-Darmstadt Association (~54%): Nearly level or gently sloping, somewhat poorly
drained soils that have a slowly permeable or very slowly permeable subsoil and formed in
loess; on uplands
• Ava-Hickory-Parke Association (~41%): Gently sloping to steep, moderately well drained or
well drained soils that have a very slowly permeable or moderately permeable subsoil and
formed in glacial till or in loess and glacial drift; on uplands
• Piasa-Cowden Association (~5%): Nearly level, poorly drained soils that have a very slowly
permeable or slowly permeable subsoil and formed in loess; on uplands
Table 2 presents the actual soil types and
percentages found within the watershed.
Information on percent slope and erosion is
also presented. Soil type areas were
measured with a digital planimeter, within a
watershed boundary super-imposed on a
soils map. Information on erosion is taken
from the general soil description, and is not
derived from site-specific inventory or other
measured means. All information on soils
in this report is taken from the Soil Survey
of Bond County, Illinois, U.S. Department
of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service,
1983.
PUBLIC ACCESS AND BENEFIT
The lake and the surrounding 105-acre park
provide substantial benefits to the local and
regional population, as well as a highly
valued recreational resource. Patriot's Park
is a popular fishing location drawing local
residents and others throughout the region.
The lake was stocked annually from 1992 to
2002 with channel catfish and rainbow trout,
6
and stocked with largemouth bass in five of those ten years. The trout stocking program, which
continues annually, is a particular attraction for many recreational anglers every year.
Facilities available at the lake include a playground, four covered pavilions, an amphitheatre,
open mowed park grounds, three miles of nature trails through the woodlands around the lake,
14 picnic tables with fixed grills, two large stone fireplaces, four fire pits, a sports field, public
restrooms, and a pay telephone (Figure 2). A one-lane, gravel boat ramp is located at the
northeast end of the Lake. The KPD charges an annual boat access fee of $5.00 for park district
residents, and $10.00 for non-residents. Canoes, rowboats, and trolling-motor driven motor
boats are allowed on the lake.
Figure 2. Map of Lake Access.
Sediment
Basin
7
The KPD is solely responsibly for all park operations and management with the exception of the
lake fishery which is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of
Fisheries. The park facilities are open year round from sunrise to sunset.
Patriot's Park and its lake serve as a major resource for local and regional citizens and public
groups seeking outdoor recreational facilities. The site has traditionally hosted an annual
Independence Day fireworks display, an event that draws thousands of visitors each year. Some
outdoor theatre events are also held at the park. Additionally, the large pavilion hosts a steady
stream of family reunions, civic functions, corporate outings, Boy Scout Troop meetings and
other group recreational experiences. Reservations for this facility must usually be made well in
advance. Area college athletic teams use the trails surrounding the lake for cross-country meets
every year. The close proximity to Greenville and other cities in the region, combined with the
facilities and ample open space available to the public, bring significant numbers of day-use
visitors.
Because the diverse facilities within the park occur in such close proximity to the lake, the health
of the lake and its viability as a resource are closely tied to the valuation of the other services that
the park provides. Extending the life of this water body and the quality of the water and habitat
it provides will have a tremendous positive effect on the long-term importance of Patriot's Park
as a whole.
Local Interest & Resource Commitment
There have been many gracious volunteer efforts to support the quality of recreation at Patriot’s
Park Lake. Within the past decade, volunteers from civic and educational institutions have
supplied all equipment and supplies necessary to grade and chip all of the park’s roads, plant
trees and ground cover to prevent erosion, surface the hiking/biking trails with wood chips, clear
brush to enable greater access, paint structures, and landscape. In possibly the greatest
demonstration of appreciation of the lake, 20+ volunteers donated all necessary time, effort,
equipment, and supplies to restore the lake’s spillway and associated bridge. The cost of this
project was estimated at over $200,000.
Because Patriot's Park Lake is managed by the Kingsbury Park District (a public agency),
matters concerning the lake are open for discussion at monthly board meetings. Lake issues
repeatedly come up for discussion. Public input is welcome at these meetings, and citizen
interests can be presented there.
SIZE AND ECONOMIC STRUCTURE OF POTENTIAL USER POPULATION
Distance From Communities
The approximate center of Patriots Park Lake is 1 ½ miles west of the approximate center of the
City of Greenville, 16 miles from the City of Highland, 18 miles from the City of Hillsboro, 18
miles from the City of Vandalia, and 19 miles from the City of Carlyle.
8
The lake is located approximately 3.5 miles from Interstate 70. Major roads near the lake include
Highway 140 and Highway 127. Access to the lake is provided by the Kingsbury Park District
through Patriot’s Park at the junction of Highways 140 and 127.
Public Transportation
Bond County Transit, which is operated out of the Bond County Senior Center, Inc., provides
service to Patriot's Park Lake. Fees for one-way trips are $1.00 for seniors (60+), $1.50 for
adults, and $0.50 for children up to twelve years old.
Potential User Population
The user population of Patriot’s Park Lake is
comprised mainly of residents from Bond
County and the surrounding counties as well as
portions of the St. Louis metropolitan area.
Within 50 miles, the potential user population
is estimated to be 819,032. Table 3 shows the
populations of counties with at least half of
their area within the 50 mile (80 km) radius.
Table 4 shows the populations of cities with
populations greater than 10,000 within a 50
mile (80 km) radius. Population figures were
taken from United States Census Bureau
statistics. The nearest major metropolitan area
to Patriot's Park Lake is St. Louis, which
includes Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St.
Louis, St. Charles, and Warren counties in
Missouri, and Clinton, Jersey, Madison,
Monroe, and St. Clair counties in Illinois with
a combined population of 2,603,607. The
locations of the cities and counties are
described in Tables 3 and 4 and shown in
Figure 1, Location Map.
Economic characteristics of Bond County
A comparison of household incomes between
Bond County, Illinois, and the entire U.S. is
given in Table 5. Table 5 shows that, for the
County Population
Bond 17,633
Christian 35,372
Clinton 35,535
Effingham 34,264
Fayette 21,802
Macoupin 49,019
Madison 258,941
Marion 41,691
Montgomery 30,652
St. Clair 256,082
Shelby 22,893
Washington 15,148
Total: 819,032
Counties Accessible Within 50 Mile (80 km)
Radius
Table 3. Potential User Population By County
City Population
Alton 30,496
Belleville 41,410
Centralia 14,136
Collinsville 24,707
East St. Louis 31,542
Edwardsville 21,491
Fairview Heights 15,034
Glen Carbon 10,425
Granite City 31,301
O'Fallon 21,910
St. Louis 348,189
Swansea 10,579
Taylorville 11,427
Wood River 11,296
Total: 623,943
Cities With Populations > 10,000 Within 50 Miles
(80 km)
Table 4. Potential User Population by City
9
year 1999, Bond County had a greater number of households below the $50,000 per house-hold
income level than the state or the nation as a whole.
Employment sectors in Bond County
In the past Bond County has traditionally been a farming community. Current employment
figures show that only a very small portion of the workforce is employed in the farming industry,
while nearly 50% are employed in the management, professional, and service industries (Figure
3).
SUMMARY OF HISTORICAL LAKE USES
Figure 3. Employment Sectors in Bond County
The lake has been a premiere recreational
resource since its construction in 1933. Prior
to its construction, the area was used as a small
golf course. Patriot's Park was originally
managed by the City of Greenville. In 1972,
the land, facilities and management were
transferred to the newly formed Kingsbury Park
District. Much of the records for the lake prior
to this transition are not accessible. However,
historical records show that Patriot's Park and
the lake have long been considered an
outstanding facility, particularly given its
location near smaller communities.
The construction of the park in its original
configuration was completed in 1940. Much of
the work done there was completed through the
U. S.
Households 6,147 100.0% 4,592,740 100.0%
$0-$10,000 616 10.0% 383,299 8.3% 9.5%
$10,000-$14,999 433 7.0% 252,485 5.5% 6.3%
$15,000-$24,999 805 13.1% 517,812 11.3% 12.8%
$25,000-$34,999 905 14.7% 545,962 11.9% 12.8%
$35,000-$49,999 1,270 20.7% 745,180 16.2% 16.5%
$50,000-$74,999 1,176 19.1% 952,940 20.7% 19.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 614 10.0% 531,760 11.6% 10.2%
$100,000 to $149,999 236 3.8% 415,348 9.0% 7.7%
$150,000 to $199,999 54 0.9% 119,056 2.6% 2.2%
$200,000 or more 38 0.6% 128,898 2.8% 2.4%
Median Household Income 37,680 46,590
Bond County Illinois
Table 5. Household Income Comparison (1999)
29%
16%
24%
1%
10%
20%
Management & Professional
Service
Sales & Office
Farming, Forestry & Fishing
Construction & Maintenance
Production &Transportation
10
use of Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC), Public Works Administration (PWA), and Works
Progress Administration (WPA) labor and funds. At the time of the park's construction, nearly
200 men were housed at the CCC camp in Greenville. Funds were also raised from local civic
groups. The park has the distinction of being the only park in the state to be financed by a
women's organization, the Women's Federate Club of Greenville. At the park's dedication in
1934, a bronze plaque commemorating this honor was unveiled (Bond County Historical Society
1979).
In 1952, the shelter house north of the main drive was added. This facility remains today, and is
one of most frequently used facilities at the lake. The band shelter near the west end of the park
was constructed in 1960. The shelter and amphitheater began receiving less use in the 1970's,
and the shelter covering was torn down in 1980. Recently, electricity was added to the
amphitheater area and this facility has experienced a revitalization of use for community theater
and other events.
Prior to the mid-1970's, swimming was one of the primary recreational activities enjoyed at
Patriot's Park. Figures 4 to 7 show photographs of how the lake appeared at various periods in
time. These photographs were obtained from postcards in the collection of a local historian. A
large diving tower was present near the north shore of the lake, with smaller diving structures
and piers on the beach. The bathhouse and concession stand have now been replaced with a
picnic shelter. All of the diving structures were removed prior to 1990, and the remains of the
wooden piers were removed prior to 2000. Before the construction of the Greenville Municipal
Swimming Pool in 1979, all municipal swimming lessons were held at Patriot's Park. Many of
the residents of Greenville and the surrounding communities have important historical ties to the
lake because of the time spent there as children. Swimming in Patriot's Park was discontinued in
approximately 1974 by the Bond County Health Department due to poor water quality (Bill
Davidson, personal communication 2002).
Fishing and lakeside recreation are the two major activities that occur on the lake. Other
activities include boating, camping, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, hiking, picnicking
and various educational activities. There is very little data regarding past lake usage, but
information was obtained from boat permit data and fishing license data and estimates were
made based on interviews and personal observations (Table 6).
Figure 4 Diving Structures & Bath House Figure 5. Diving Tower & Other Features.
11
Figure 6. Bath House
Figure 7. Patriot’s Park Lake NW End, Before Sediment Basin Construction
12
Table 6. Historical Lake Usage
Use Year Units
Boat Permits 1999-2003 169 permits
Pavilion 2000 7,547 attendees
2001 8,551 attendees
2002 8,996 attendees
D.A.R.E Car Show 2001 800 attendees
2002 875 attendees
Independence Day Annual 2,500 attendees
Utlaut Hospital Picnic Annual ~ 750 attendees
General visitation Annual 4,000-5,000 daily visits
School Field Trips Annual ~ 300 participants
Fishing Derby 1999 35 participants
2000 65 participants
2001 65 participants
2002 80 participants
Outdoor Performances 2002 (year begun) 250 attendees
POPULATION SEGMENTS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LAKE DEGRADATION
Recreational Fisherman
Low visibility and dissolved oxygen levels can have serious consequences for game fish. Low
body weight, low fecundity (birth rates) and periodic fish kills dramatically reduce the average
age and body mass of standing stock. Recreational fishermen experience reduced fishable area
when shallow sections of a water body are rendered inaccessible by boat due to sedimentation.
Recreational fishing is one of the most important activities at the lake, drawing anglers from as
far away as the St. Louis metropolitan area.
COMPARISON OF LAKE USAGE TO OTHER LAKES WITHIN 80 KM
There are a number of lakes found within 80 kilometers of Patriot's Park Lake
(Table 7 and Figure 8). The majority of those lakes are found in the Middle Kaskaskia
River/Shoal Creek Watershed. The only other lakes 10 acres or greater located entirely in Bond
County are Governor Bond Lake (ROP) at 775 acres and Sorento (ROZH) at 11 acres.
13
Table 7. Lakes within 80 Kilometers of Patriot's Park Lake
Lake Code Acres Fishing Boating Hiking Camping Horse Back
Patriot's Park ROY 26 X X X X
Altamont New RCJ 57 X X
Carlinville RDG 168 X X X X
Carlyle ROA 24580 X X X X
Centralia ROI 450 X X X
Coffeen ROG 1038 X X X
Forbes RCD 525 X X X X
Gillespie New SDU 207 X X
Gillespie Old SDT 71 X X
Glenn Shoals ROL 1350 X X X X
Governor Bond ROP 775 X X X X X
Highland Silver ROZA 550 X X X
Hillsboro Old ROT 108.7 X X X X
Holiday Shores RJN 430 X X
Horseshoe RJC 2170 X X X
Lou Yaeger RON 1205 X X X X
Mount Olive New RJF 47.8 X X
Mount Olive Old RJG 32.5 X X
Nashville City ROO 37.2 X X
Pana ROF 219.5 X X
Otter RDF 765 X X X X
Raccoon ROK 970 X X X
Ramsey ROE 46 X X X X
Salem ROR 74.2 X X
Sara RCE 765 X X X X
Staunton RJA 84 X X
St. Elmo New ROM 68 X X X X
St. Elmo Old ROQ 25.3 X X
Taylorville REC 1148 X X X X
Vandalia ROD 660 X X X X
Walton Park ROU 25 X X
Washington Co. RNM 295 X X X X
14
Figure 8. Lakes Within 80 Km
15
INVENTORY OF POINT SOURCE POLLUTION DISCHARGES
There are currently no point source pollution discharges located in the Patriot’s Park Lake
watershed.
LAND USES AND NONPOINT POLLUTION LOADING
Bond County Tillage Practices
According to the Illinois Soil Transect Survey summary (Table 8), 28% of the cropland in Bond
County is farmed using conservation tillage. Conservation tillage can greatly reduce the amount
of soil erosion and help reduce the amount of sedimentation that collects in lakes. Conservation
tillage also helps reduce nutrient loading from agriculture runoff.
Table 8. Bond County Tillage Practices
Corn/acres Soybean/acres Small grains/acres Total
Conventional 72,815 36,481 11,453 120,749
Reduced 0 0 0 0
Mulch 424 2,121 3,818 6,363
No-Till 1,697 18,240 20,786 40,723
N/A/ Unknown 0 0 0 0
Total 74,936 56,842 36,057 167,835
Percent
Conservation
Tillage
3% 36% 68% 28%
Source: 2001 Illinois Soil Conservation Transect Survey Summary
Patriot’s Park Lake Watershed Land Use
The Patriot’s Park drainage basin is composed of row crops, pasture, hayland, woodland,
wetland and minor development (roadway, low density residential, etc.). A breakdown of land
uses as a percentage of the total drainage basin is presented in Table 9. The majority of the
drainage basin is used for cultivated row crops.
Table 9. Patriots Park Lake Land Use
Land Use Acres Hectares % of Total
Size 900 364 100
Cropland 623 252 69
Hay/Pasture 99 40 11
Urban/Farmstead 46 18 5
Recreational 73 30 8
Forest 31 13 3.5
Lakes & Ponds 28 11 3.5
16
Nonpoint Pollution
The primary concerns of nonpoint pollution in the watershed are eroded soils and nutrients from
agricultural areas. Septic tank effluent entering the lake does not represent a significant
contribution of nutrients but is a concern for introduction of pathogens into the system.
Runoff from agricultural land can contribute significantly to the sediment and nutrient loads for a
lake. NRCS investigations in 1996 revealed that within the sediment basin of the lake, the
average depth of silt deposits was 61 inches. Given the 63-year time span between the
construction of the lake and the NRCS study, the rate of volume loss in the sediment basin would
be nearly an inch per year. Additionally, NRCS staff observed a reduction in sediment basin
water surface area from an estimated 3.6 acres at its construction to approximately two acres at
the time of the study. Recent global positioning system (GPS) data taken by KPD staff confirms
the present surface area at normal pool. Within the remaining normally inundated area, depths
have been reduced to an average of 1.15 feet. This loss of volume has a significant impact on the
effectiveness of the sediment pond.
Sediments bring fertilizers and pesticides that are deposited into the lake. High amounts of
phosphorus and nitrogen run off contribute to the eutrophication of the lake by increasing algae
growth. This algae growth also contributes to turbidity and lack of water clarity. Residential
activities in the watershed can also contribute to sedimentation and nutrient loading of the lake.
Lawn fertilizers from homes as well as nutrients from septic systems contribute to the nutrients
entering the lake. There are two potential sources of sewage effluent located on the park
property. The caretaker’s house is served by a septic tank and leach field that is greater than 25
years old and the new public restrooms completed in September 2002 are served by a septic tank
and sand filter system with a chlorination tank before its discharge point. Both of these systems
discharge onto the hillside on the north shore of the lake. The system serving the new restroom
facility is checked on a regular basis and chlorine tablets are added as needed. The discharge
outlet for this system is approximately 50 feet from the lakeshore. The ground between this
outlet and the shoreline edge is heavily vegetated and this vegetation acts as a filter for this
effluent. The waste system for the caretaker house consists of a septic tank and a leach field
approximately 50 feet from the lakeshore. There is no evidence of any effluent seepage on the
ground surface in this area. Unfortunately, the size and condition of this system is not known and
the leach field for this system may be inadequate. The septic tank was last pumped in 2002.
Construction projects can add large amounts of sediment to the lake if control structures are not
in place. Construction runoff is currently not a problem in the watershed. Lake front that is not
properly protected with rip-rap or other erosion control material can contribute significant
amounts of sediment to the lake. There is an area of severe erosion approximately 10 feet high
and 40 feet long on the south side of the lake that is contributing moderate quantities of sediment
to the lake.
Estimates of sediment loading by land-use category are given in Table 10.
17
Table 10. Sediment delivery based on Universal Soil Loss Equation
SOIL
ASSOC.
TOTAL
ACREAGE
%
SLOPE
LAND
USE
PERCENT
OF
TOTAL ACREAGE L/S K C
A=RKCPL/S
(T/AC)
SOIL
LOSS
(TONS)
DELIVERY
RATE
SEDIMENT
TO LAKE
(TONS)
1 157 0-2% agricultural 17.4 152 0.1 0.4 0.4 2.88 437.76 0.25 109.44
urban 0.6 5 0.1 0.4 0.03 0.216 1.08 0.25 0.27
2 279 0-5% agricultural 29.7 259 0.15 0.4 0.4 4.32 1118.88 0.3 335.66
pasture 2.3 20 0.15 0.4 0.05 0.54 10.80 0.3 3.24
5 436 0-5% agricultural 20.6 180 0.15 0.4 0.4 4.32 777.60 0.3 233.28
pasture 1.1 10 0.15 0.4 0.05 0.54 5.40 0.3 1.62
urban 2.2 19 0.15 0.4 0.03 0.324 6.16 0.3 1.85
woodland 1.1 10 0.15 0.4 0.009 0.0972 0.97 0.3 0.29
5-12% agricultural 3.7 32 0.18 0.4 0.4 5.184 165.89 0.5 82.94
woodland 1.4 12 0.18 0.4 0.009 0.11664 1.40 0.5 0.70
pasture 2.4 21 0.18 0.4 0.05 0.648 13.61 0.5 6.80
15-30% urban 2.5 22 1.5 0.4 0.03 3.24 71.28 0.75 53.46
pasture 9.7 85 1.5 0.4 0.05 5.4 459.00 0.75 344.25
woodland 5.2 45 1.5 0.4 0.009 0.972 43.74 0.75 32.81
TOTALS 872 3113.56 1206.62
Soil Association
1. Piasa- Cowden Association: Nearly level, poorly drained soils that have a very slowly permeable subsoil and formed
in loess; on uplands.
2. Oconee - Darmstadt Association: Nearly level or gently sloping, somewhat poorly drained soils that have a slowly
permeable or very slowly permeable subsoil and formed in loess; on uplands.
5. Ava - Hickory - Park Association: Gently sloping to steep, moderately well drained or well drained soils that have a very
slowly permeable or moderately permeable subsoil and formed in glacial till or in loess and glacial drift; on uplands.
18
LAKE MONITORING
Three in-lake site locations have been sampled since 1993: ROY-1t (top sample) and ROY-1b
(bottom sample) at the south end of the lake; ROY-2 in the center of the lake; and ROY-3 on the
north-west end of the lake (Figure 9). Also in this study sediment samples were collected from a
site in the silt basin. This site was designated ROY-4.
Current water samples were collected by KPD staff and shipped according to IEPA protocol to
IEPA laboratories for analyses. Samples were analyzed for total suspended solids (TSS), volatile
suspended solids (VSS), total phosphorus, dissolved phosphorus, kjeldahl nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen
and ammonia nitrogen.
In addition, field water quality data was collected to provide concurrent readings for water
temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen and turbidity, as well as Secchi disk readings
and overall environmental observations (outside temperature, precipitation, etc.).
Figure 9. Patriot’s Park Lake Sampling Sites
ROY-1
ROY-2
ROY-3
ROY-01
ROY-02
ROY-4
19
HYDROLOGIC, SEDIMENT AND NUTRIENT BUDGETS
An annual water budget was calculated for Patriot’s Park Lake using established IEPA and state water
survey protocol. This is a best estimate of the amount of water coming into and leaving the lake. To
determine the amount of water entering the lake, a staff gauge was placed in the major tributary as close
to the lake as possible. This was at site ROY-02, south of Illinois Route 140. Kingsbury Park District
staff members recorded the stream height on the staff gauge on a daily basis. Cross-sections of the stream
were measured at the gauge site. A relationship was established for the area of the cross-section in
relation to staff gauge height and flow velocity in feet-per-second was measured using a Global Water
flow measuring instrument. Flow and area measurements were combined to establish a relationship
between staff height and stream discharge at the cross-section. Calculations were then used to determine
the volume of water, in acre-feet, entering the lake each day from the tributary. In addition to water
flowing in from the watershed, direct precipitation onto the lake surface was calculated from daily rain
amounts recorded at the caretaker’s house located on the north shore of the lake.
The outflow from Patriot’s Park Lake included evaporation from the lake and discharge over the spillway.
A staff gauge was placed near the outflow of the lake, at ROY-01 in order to determine the height of
water flowing out of the lake. This information was used to calculate the amount of water flowing out of
the lake over the spillway. The capacity of the lake’s spillway was determined through use of the weir
equation: Q = C L H (3/2) , where Q is the outflow rate in cubic feet-per-second, C is the weir coefficient
based on H, L is the length of the outlet in feet, and H is the headwater depth in feet (Haan 1994).
Evaporation was calculated using 50 years of historical evaporation rates in Illinois (Roberts and Stall
1967). Multiplying the area of the lake by the inches of evaporation, a volume of evaporation was
calculated. The difference between the outflow and the inflow is a net hydrologic loading that indicates
either a greater inflow or greater outflow. The hydrologic budget presented in Table 11 indicates that
during the study period there was a net inflow of approximately 1,330 acre-feet.
Table 11. Hydrologic Budget
INFLOW OUTFLOW
Month
Tributaries
(acre-ft)
Lake
Precipitation
(acre-ft)
Monthly
Inputs
(acre-ft)
Spillway
Discharge
(acre-ft)
Lake
Evaporation
(acre-ft)
Monthly
Outputs
(acre-ft)
May-01 153.7 8.09 161.82 74.9 10.6 85.5
Jun-01 53.8 4.48 58.25 116.2 12.4 128.5
Jul-01 104.3 6.40 110.70 34.2 14.2 48.4
Aug-01 116.8 6.84 123.61 8.3 11.7 19.9
Sep-01 75.9 5.35 81.23 0.0 8.3 8.3
Oct-01 228.5 10.50 239.01 23.5 5.2 28.7
Nov-01 72.1 5.21 77.28 106.4 2.6 109.0
Dec-01 120.4 6.97 127.35 59.8 1.2 61.0
Jan-02 34.3 3.62 37.97 130.3 1.2 131.5
Feb-02 6.9 2.01 8.89 146.5 1.9 148.4
Mar-02 81.4 5.56 86.97 54.7 4.1 58.8
Apr-02 207.3 9.83 217.13 366.8 7.4 374.2
Annual Total 1255.3 74.86 1330.20 1121.5 80.8 1202.3
20
Nutrient and Sediment Loading
Nutrients from nonpoint pollution sources consist of nitrogen and phosphorous which originate
primarily from the fertilized fields in the watershed. The nutrients are measured as total
phosphorous (TP) and total nitrogen (TN). Nutrients and sediment can enter the lake from a
variety of different sources: fertilizers, livestock waste, septic systems, atmospheric deposition,
waterfowl, etc. As there are very few septic systems within the watershed and the Patriot’s Park
septic systems are functioning properly there is no significant input from this source. The low
numbers of migrating waterfowl visiting the lake and the lack of a resident population of
waterfowl would indicate that this is also an insignificant nutrient source to the lake. According
to information obtained from Lawrence etal. 1999, total atmospheric nitrogen input may be as
high as 1.8 kg/ac in Illinois. Applying this figure to the Patriot’s Park watershed area would
result in an atmospheric nitrogen input of approximately 47 kg (0.3% of the total input) to the
lake. Phosphorus inputs for this part of the country are generally considered negligible
(Goldman and Horne, 1983).
Nutrient and sediment loading were both figured two ways. Sediment loading was figured using
one method, USLE as shown previously in Table 10, and method 2 using Volatile Suspended
Solids shown in Table 13. Nutrient loading was figured first using Nutrient Loss Rates as shown
in Table 12, and again a second method shown in Table 14 and 15. Method 2 measured nutrients
and sediments coming from the tributary during rain events and concentration relationships were
developed between acre-feet of water and measured concentrations of nutrients and sediments.
Using daily water volumes calculated from the staff gage flow relationship, the nutrient and
sediment loads in kilograms were calculated for the main tributary (Tables 13, 14 and 15).
Nutrient Load from Lake Sediment
The lake itself can be a major contributor of nutrient loading. Nutrients bound in the sediments
on the bottom of the lake, as well as nutrients in dying plant material, contribute to the nutrient
loading of the lake. When the dissolved oxygen concentration within about 1 m (3 feet) of the
bottom of the lake reaches <1mg/L, phosphorus trapped in the sediments is released (Nürnberg,
1995). During fall turnover, phosphorus, along with nitrogen, is released back into the
epilimnion of the lake where it can be used by algae and other plants. This process is referred to
as internal regeneration. The internal phosphorus load was calculated by first examining the
oxygen profiles (Appendix D) to determine the depths at which the dissolved oxygen levels fell
below the 1 mg/L level. When this concentration was found within about 1 m (3 feet) of the lake
bottom the sediment-water interface was assumed to be anoxic. The period of anoxia, in days,
was then multiplied by the corresponding hypolimnetic area (m2) and then multiplying this
number by a phosphorus release rate of 12 mg/m2/day (Nurnberg, 1984) and a nitrogen release
rate of 120 mg/m2/day (Fillos and Swanson, 1975) for lake sediments under anaerobic
conditions. This was done for Site 1 and Site 2 (Appendix F). The phosphorus released from
oxic sediments was accounted for by using a rate of 0.3 mg/m2/day (Nurnberg, 1984).
Approximately 805 kg of nitrogen (6% of the total input) and 152 kg of phosphorus (4.7% of the
total input) were released from the sediments (Table 14, 15). Estimates of nutrient loading by
land-use category are given in Table 12.
21
Table 12. Annual Nonpoint Nutrient Loading
ANNUAL NONPOINT NUTRIENT LOADING
TOTAL
PHOSPHORUS
TOTAL
NITROGEN
Non-Point Sources Ha NLR kg/yr NLR kg/yr
Agriculture 252.1 4.51 1137 16.1 4058.8
Pasture 55 1.5 82.5 8.7 478.5
Woodland 27.1 0.25 6.775 2.9 78.59
Urban 18.6 1.92 35.712 10 186
TOTAL LOADING 1262 4801.9
Nutrient Loss Rate (NLR) calculated from Lou Yaeger TMDL
Sediment from Shoreline Erosion
Using information from the shoreline erosion study, calculations were made to estimate the
amount of sediment delivered to the lake from shoreline erosion. Using estimates of 40 lbs of
soil per linear foot entering the lake from areas with severe erosion, 30 lbs per linear foot for
areas with moderate erosion, and 20 lbs per linear foot for areas that are undercut, approximately
55,600 kg per year of soil enters the lake from shoreline erosion (Hill 1994). This amounts to
6.5% of the total sediment entering the lake. The main tributary input accounts for the rest of the
total.
Patriot’s Park Lake Historical Data
The IEPA sampled Patriot’s Park Lake in 1993 as part of their Ambient Lake Monitoring
Program (ALMP) and this historical data is presented in Tables 16 and 17 for comparison
purposes to 2001-2002 data.
22
Table 13. Sediment Budget
PATRIOT'S PARK SEDIMENT BUDGET
SUMMARY
MAY 2001 to APRIL 2002
INPUTS OUTPUTS
Date
Tributaries
(kg)
ROY-01
Spillway
Discharge (kg)
May-01 18,381 1,682 16,699
Jun-01 15,557 2,700 12,856
Jul-01 9,606 773 8,833
Aug-01 0 188 -188
Sep-01 0 0 0
Oct-01 6,617 523 6,094
Nov-01 26,236 2,387 23,848
Dec-01 155,976 1,267 154,709
Jan-02 59,816 3,225 56,591
Feb-02 80,682 3,750 76,932
Mar-02 202,082 1,151 200,931
Apr-02 199,153 10,231 188,922
Subtotal 774,106 27,877 746,229
Shoreline Erosion 55,600 0 55,600
Annual Total (kg) 829,706 27,877 801,829
Annual Total (tons) 913 31 882
Total Inflow (kg) 829,706
Total Inflow (tons) 913
Total Outflow (kg) 27,877
Total Outflow (tons) 31
Net Loading (kg) 801,829
Net Loading (tons) 882
23
Table 14. Nitrogen Budget
PATRIOT'S PARK NITROGEN BUDGET SUMMARY
MAY 2001 to APRIL 2002
INPUTS OUTPUTS
Date
Tributaries
(kg)
ROY-01
Spillway
Discharge (kg)
May-01 394 20 374
Jun-01 513 137 376
Jul-01 149 1 147
Aug-01 0 0 0
Sep-01 0 0 0
Oct-01 273 2 271
Nov-01 323 12 311
Dec-01 1,819 354 1,465
Jan-02 1,050 252 798
Feb-02 1,820 408 1,412
Mar-02 3,259 168 3,091
Apr-02 3,045 1,673 1,372
Subtotal 12,643 3,026 9,617
Internal Regeneration 805 0 805
Atmospheric Deposition 47 0
Annual Total (kg) 13,495 3,026 10,469
Annual Total (tons) 15 3 12
Total Inflow (kg) 13,495
Total Inflow (tons) 15
Total Outflow (kg) 3,026
Total Outflow (tons) 3
Net Loading (kg) 10,469
Net Loading (tons) 12
24
Table 15. Phosphorus Budget
PATRIOT'S PARK PHOSPHOROUS BUDGET
SUMMARY
MAY 2001 to APRIL 2002
INPUTS OUTPUTS
Date
Tributaries
(kg)
ROY-01
Spillway
Discharge (kg)
May-01 81 2 79
Jun-01 82 18 63
Jul-01 40 0 40
Aug-01 0 0 0
Sep-01 0 0 0
Oct-01 37 0 37
Nov-01 113 1 112
Dec-01 543 54 489
Jan-02 264 46 218
Feb-02 368 69 299
Mar-02 824 20 805
Apr-02 787 333 454
Subtotal 3,140 545 2,595
Internal Regeneration 152 0 152
Annual Total (kg) 3,292 545 2,747
Annual Total (tons) 4 1 3
Total Inflow (kg) 3,292
Total Inflow (tons) 4
Total Outflow (kg) 545
Total Outflow (tons) 1
Net Loading (kg) 2,747
Net Loading (tons) 3
25
Table 16. Historical Water Quality Data (IEPA)
PATRIOT’S PARK LAKE
HISTORICAL WATER QUALITY DATA
SITE Depth
feet
Turbidity
NTU
Secchi
inches
pH COD
mg/l
Total
Alkalinity
mg/l
CaCo3
Phenol
Alkalinity
mg/l
TSS
mg/l
VSS
mg/l
Ammonia
Nitrogen
mg/l
TKN
mg/l
Nitrate-
Nitrogen
mg/l
TP
mg/l
Roy-1
Top
1 25 20 9.9 28 104 28 17 9 0.07 0.60 0.02 0.111
Roy-1
Bottom
12 20 --- 6.8 28 142 0 27 14 3.90 --- 0.01K 1.65
Note: All data collected by IEPA 8-18-93.
“K” means concentration is less than value shown.
Table 17. Historical Sediment Analysis Data (IEPA)
PATRIOT’S PARK LAKE
HISTORICAL SEDIMENT ANALYSIS DATA
Site
Depth
ft
TSS
%
VSS
%
TKN
mg/kg
TP
mg/kg
Potassium
mg/kg
Arsenic
mg/kg
Barium
mg/kg
Cadmium
mg/kg
Chromium
mg/kg
Copper
mg/kg
Lead
mg/kg
Manganese
mg/kg
Nickel
mg/kg
Silver
mg/kg
Zinc
mg/kg
Iron
mg/kg
ROY-1 14 28 12.1 2286 1409 2100 8.10 284 1.00K 25 38 31 1000 21 1.00K 98 29000
Note: All data collected by IEPA 8-11-93
See Table 20 for sediment classifications.
“K” means concentration is less than value shown.
CURRENT LIMNOLOGICAL DATA
Current limnological data as reported here includes both existing data from various sources
(NRCS, US Geological Survey, State Water Survey, IEPA and USEPA, among others) as well as
data collected from the present study. Baseline morphometric data is provided (Table 18) as well
as detailed results from the year-long data gathering effort of the KPD.
Table 18. Morphometric Data
Watershed Area 900 acres 364.23 hectares
Surface Area 26 acres 10.52 hectares
Shoreline Length 1.5 miles 2413.5 meters
Mean Depth 8 feet 2.26 meters
Maximum Depth 16.0 feet 4.88 meters
Volume 224.4 acre-feet 276,793.3 cu. meters
Retention Time 0.2 years
Lake Type Reservoir / Dam & Spillway
Year Constructed 1933
26
Suspended Materials
High concentrations of suspended materials in the water can have adverse effects on a lake’s
health. Suspended materials in the water can have a significant impact on the plant and animal
life in a lake environment. Highly turbid waters will decrease the amount of available sunlight,
which will reduce the amount of plant material and limit the depth at which plant life will be
found. Turbid waters will affect reproduction, eggs and larva, and can clog fish gills and reduce
the growth rate of fish and other aquatic organisms. Turbidity can severely restrict the zone
within the lake where visually feeding fish can efficiently find and attack their prey (Thornton et
al., 1990).
There are several ways that suspended materials in Patriot’s Park Lake were measured. The
components measured included: total suspended solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS),
non-volatile suspended solids (NVSS) and secchi depth. Water samples were collected by KPD
staff and analyzed for TSS and VSS at IEPA laboratories. TSS is the sum of VSS and NVSS.
Secchi depth was measured and recorded by KPD staff when water samples were collected.
The relationship between VSS and NVSS gives an indication of the source of suspended solids
in the water. At all locations VSS was a higher percentage than NVSS. This indicates that there
is a large amount of organic material. This distribution is likely an indication that algae growth
in the lake is a greater source of turbidity than soil washing in from the tributaries or bottom
sediments being stirred up.
27
Total Suspended Solids
Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measurement of all of the suspended material in the water
including both organic and inorganic materials. Total suspended solids would include materials
such as algae, decaying plant materials, minerals, and soil particles. Total suspended solids
peaked on 9/20/2001 at all three sites. TSS levels on this date also appear to be correlated with
high volatile suspended solid (VSS) levels and the lowest secchi readings (Figure 13) of the
sampling period.
Figure
10.
Total Suspended Solids
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
TSS(mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
28
Volatile Suspended Solids
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
VSS(mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Volatile Suspended Solids
Volatile suspended solids (VSS) is a measurement of only the organic material suspended in the
water. This material would include algae, decaying plant material and all other organic material
suspended in the water. VSS peaked on 9/20/01 at ROY-1 and ROY-3, and 8/27/01 at ROY – 2
(Figure 11). All VSS peak levels corresponded with low Secchi depths and high chlorophyll a
numbers (Figures 13, 31). These levels also appear to be correlated with phytoplankton volumes
at ROY – 1 (Appendix A) which were at their highest levels during this period.
Figure 11.
29
Non-Volatile Suspended Solids
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
NVSS(mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Non-Volatile Suspended Solids
Non-Volatile Suspended Solids (NVSS) is the portion of TSS that is not VSS. NVSS is the non-organic
portion of TSS. This includes soil eroded and transported from the watershed into the
lake. NVSS is used by the IEPA as a parameter in their Aquatic Life Use Impairment Index
(ALI). Peak readings for Patriot’s Park Lake occurred at ROY-2 on 6/25/01 and at sites ROY-1
and ROY-3 on 3/19/02.
Figure 12.
30
Secchi
The secchi disk is one of the most widely used tools to measure water clarity. Secchi
transparency and color are used to determine criteria for lake water quality. The Secchi disk is a
simple circular disk divided into alternate black and white quadrants. The disk is lowered into
the water and the depth at which it can no longer be seen is the Secchi depth. It is one of the
criteria in Carlson’s Trophic State Index, which is used to determine the trophic status (Carlson
1977). Photosynthesis can generally occur at 2-3 times the Secchi depth (Kirschner 1995).
Secchi readings are a parameter used in calculating the trophic status of a lake. The IEPA uses
the trophic status as a parameter in both their guidelines for Aquatic Life Use Impairment (ALI)
and their Recreation Use Impairment (RUI). The IEPA also uses Secchi readings as a parameter
in their swimming guidelines. All the Secchi readings must be greater than 24 inches to gain full
support for swimming (Illinois 305(b) Report). For Patriot’s Park Lake the lowest secchi
readings were recorded at all sites in August, September and October of 2001 and March and
April of 2002 (Figure 13). The late summer/early fall readings correspond with high volatile
suspended solid (VSS) readings, high pH levels, high chlorophyll a levels, surface DO
concentration at very high, supersaturated levels, and high phytoplankton volumes (Figures 11,
19, 31, Appendix A and D). Low Secchi readings in March and April corresponded with high
nonvolatile suspended solid readings. High Secchi readings were recorded on August 1 (102
inches) and August 2, 2001 (96 inches) (Figure 13). These results are not consistent with the
information given earlier about the chlorophyll a, pH, D.O. concentration, high VSS levels, and
phytoplankton volumes. Additionally, the IEPA field biologist conducting ambient sampling
on the lake during the summer reported that during many of his visits he had to physically move
aside an algal scum layer in order to take his Secchi disk readings (Holland, pers. comm., 2004).
There appears to be no explanation available in the field notes that indicates why these Secchi
readings are so high on these dates. Therefore, this data should be viewed with caution. With the
exception of the readings on Aug. 1st and 2nd , all high Secchi readings tended to correspond to
low TSS and VSS readings throughout the sampling period (Figures 10, 11). ROY-1 and ROY-2
had the highest Secchi readings, suggesting that sediment is falling out of suspension as the
velocity of water decreases from upstream to downstream.
31
Figure 13.
Secchi
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
4/9/01
5/15/01
5/29/01
6/7/01
6/25/01
7/10/01
7/13/01
7/25/01
8/1/01
8/2/01
8/20/01
8/27/01
9/4/01
9/20/01
10/8/01
10/15/01
10/27/01
11/24/01
12/15/01
1/17/02
2/23/02
3/19/02
4/1/02
4/23/02
Date
Secchi Depth In Inches
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
32
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a required nutrient for plant growth. The over- or under-abundance of phosphorus
is a likely factor in determining the amount of macrophyte and algae growth in a lake. High
phosphorus concentrations can lead to lake eutrophication. Phosphorus is not always readily
available for plant consumption. Most phosphorus in runoff is tightly bound to soil particles and
therefore not available to plants. This phosphorus is considered to be in an insoluble form. If
dissolved oxygen levels near the bottom of the lake become low, anaerobic decomposition of
organic materials will release phosphorus in a soluble form readily available for plant use (Hill
1994). Phosphorus control is a key component to good lake management and restoration.
Based on the Illinois General Use Water Quality standard, any lake or reservoir with a surface
area greater than or equal to 20 acres (8 hectares) or any tributary stream where it enters the lake,
the total phosphorus concentrations should not exceed 0.05 mg/l. Phosphorus levels in Patriot’s
Park lake exceeded this level at all times of the year (Figure 14). The highest levels occurred at
the bottom of the lake during the months from July through September with one high reading in
May and another in October. The peak occurred on 9/4/2001 at 0.87mg/l. When oxygen is
available in the water, the phosphorus is bound to solids in the sediment. As oxygen levels at the
bottom of the lake decrease in the summer months, phosphorus is released into the water column.
This release of dissolved phosphorus acts as a nutrient source for algae, thus contributing to the
eutrophication of the lake.
Phosphorus
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Total Phosphorus(mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Figure 14.
33
Total Nitrogen
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Nitrogen
Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth as its availability will affect plant and algae
growth leading to eutrophication of a lake. The forms of nitrogen sampled for included ammonia
nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen and total kjeldahl nitrogen. Total kjeldahl nitrogen includes organic
and ammonia - nitrogen. Organic nitrogen is calculated by subtracting ammonia-nitrogen from
total kjeldahl nitrogen, whereas inorganic nitrogen is the sum of nitrate-nitrogen plus ammonia-nitrogen.
Total nitrogen is the sum of nitrate-nitrogen and total kjeldahl nitrogen.
Total Nitrogen
The ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorous is an indicator of the limiting nutrient for algal
growth. A ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus of greater than 7:1 is defined as a
phosphorus limited lake. Patriot’s Park Lake had a ratio of 14:1 and therefore should be
described as a phosphorus limited lake. Nitrogen does, however, play a role as a polluter and
therefore should be controlled when possible. Total nitrogen levels peaked in the lake at ROY-1b
on 12/15/01 at 7.3 mg/l (Figure 15).
Figure 15.
34
Nitrate Nitrogen
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Nitrate Nitrogen
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrate nitrogen is an inorganic form of nitrogen which can enter a lake through agricultural
runoff, septic tank effluent and other forms of waste. Finished water quality standards in Illinois
state that nitrate nitrogen levels should not exceed 10 mg/l. Nitrate nitrogen is considered to be
a nutrient that stimulates algal growth. All samples for Patriot’s Park Lake fell below 10 mg/l
(Figure 16). The levels were lowest during the spring and early summer months and grew to
their peak levels in the fall reaching a high of 7.2mg/l on 10/27/2001 at ROY-1b and ROY-2.
Figure 16.
35
Organic Nitrogen
Organic nitrogen can enter a lake through decaying organic matter, septic systems, agricultural
waste and waterfowl. On all but one sampling date (2/23/2002) levels in Patriot’s Park Lake
were above 1.1 mg/l. The overall average organic nitrogen level for 2001-2002 was 2.15mg/l.
The 2001-2002 levels ranged from a low of 0.6mg/l at ROY-1b on 2/23/2002 to a peak of
5.04mg/l on 9/20/2001 at ROY-1t (Figure 17).
For all measures of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (mg/l) for which the analysis date is between
May 2000 and July 2003, the reported value may not be accurate because the reported value
failed to meet the established quality control criteria for precision or accuracy. Since organic
nitrogen is calculated from Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen the results reported here may or may not be
accurate.
Organic Nitrogen
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Organic Nitrogen(mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Figure 17.
36
Ammonia Nitrogen
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
4/9/2001
5/15/2001
5/29/2001
6/7/2001
6/25/2001
7/10/2001
7/25/2001
8/20/2001
8/27/2001
9/4/2001
9/20/2001
10/15/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
12/15/2001
1/17/2002
2/23/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Ammonia Nitrogen(mg/L)
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Ammonia Nitrogen
Ammonia nitrogen is the form of nitrogen that is most readily usable for plant growth. High
ammonia concentrations can also have adverse affects on fish and other aquatic organisms.
Ammonia is made available after bacterial decomposition of organic matter, found in the
sediment at the bottom of the lake. The Illinois General Use Water Quality Standards for
ammonia nitrogen vary according to pH and water temperature, with the allowable concentration
of ammonia nitrogen decreasing as pH or temperature rise. Higher temperature and higher pH of
the water increases the toxicity of ammonia nitrogen to fish and other aquatic organisms. The
allowable concentration of ammonia nitrogen varies from 1.5 mg/l to 13.0 mg/l, depending on
the variables of pH and temperature. From mid-October 2001 through mid-January 2002 the 1.5
mg/l level was exceeded al all sites (Figure 18). Proper interpretation of these results is not
possible though because of a lack of pH data for these dates. The peak concentrations were
found on 12/15/2001 at ROY-1b at the bottom of the lake. These peak concentrations are most
commonly a result of bacterial decomposition processes.
Figure 18.
37
pH
A lake’s pH is a measure of the acidity of the water. The pH value is a measure of hydrogen ion
concentration of a solution on a scale of 0-14. The pH standard in Illinois is within the range of
6.5 to 9 except for natural causes. The loss of carbon dioxide during photosynthesis results in an
increase in pH of the photic, or lighted, zone. As decomposition occurs near the bottom of the
lake, the pH will decrease. Therefore pH levels near the bottom of the lake are often lower than
near the surface. The pH levels in the period June – August were extremely high and above the
Illinois Water Quality Standard (Figure 19). High pH levels can have serious implications for
aquatic life, especially fish. The tolerable range for most fish is 5.0 – 9.0 and the upper limit for
good fishing waters is 8.7(Kentucky Water Watch, 2004). The synergistic effects of high pH
levels may have an even greater impact on the system. One example is phosphorus, which can
be released from the sediments at elevated pH levels (James, 1996). This may then lead to
increased levels of algal growth resulting in a greater long – term demand for dissolved oxygen.
All pH readings were collected by IEPA personnel.
pH
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
4/9/01 6/7/01 7/10/01 8/20/01 10/15/01
Date
pH
ROY-1b
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
Figure 19.
38
Dissolved Oxygen and Temperature
Dissolved oxygen is an important factor in the overall health of a lake. Oxygen levels are a key
factor in fish health. Low oxygen levels can cause fish kills and limited oxygen levels can
decrease the number of fish for a given lake. Low levels of oxygen near the bottom allow
nutrients to be released adding to the eutrophication of the lake.
Lake oxygen level is controlled by a variety of factors. Plants and algae release oxygen into the
water through photosynthesis. Wave action on the surface adds oxygen to the water. Microbial
respiration, during decomposition of organic materials in the lake, uses oxygen.
Water temperature is an important influence on a variety of biological and chemical processes in
the lake. Different types of algae grow better at different temperatures. Density gradients due to
temperature differences cause the stratification of lakes. Cold water remains near the bottom of
the lake and microbial decomposition of organic materials depletes the oxygen levels. As long
as the lake remains stratified dissolved oxygen levels continue to decline.
Regulations set by the IEPA and Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) state that the dissolved
oxygen (DO) level shall not fall below 6 mg/l for a 16 hour period and less than 5 mg/L at 1 foot
depth (IPCB Part 302). Levels below 3 mg/l will likely cause fish kills. Since Patriot’s Park
Lake is a relatively shallow lake with a maximum depth of 16 feet, the temperature and DO
readings were taken at the ROY-1 site, the area of greatest depth. The south end of Patriot’s
Park Lake demonstrated conditions found in a typically stratified lake. During the winter, the
temperature was uniform throughout the lake and dissolved oxygen was well mixed at all depths.
During the late spring and summer the lake stratified. The cold water sank to the bottom of the
lake and warm water remained near the surface. Wind action and algae growth kept the upper
levels oxygen rich while microbial decomposition processes near the bottom depleted the
available oxygen. Chemical reactions take place under low oxygen conditions which release
nutrients bound in the sediments. During the fall turnover as water temperature changed and the
surface water became cooler this water sank to the bottom and the lake mixed. This mixing
released nutrients from the bottom and resulted in internal nutrient loading.
Dissolved oxygen readings were at supersaturated levels for much of the summer at all three
sites. This was likely due to extensive algal blooms present in the lake at this time. These high
daily readings likely coincided with very low dissolved oxygen levels at night as respiration was
occurring. Very low levels of dissolved oxygen were recorded at all sites throughout the water
column during the months of September, October and November. These low levels may be the
result of the fall turnover producing a high organic load that depleted the oxygen and/or the
Cutrine application that was made to the lake on October 4th. In spite of this there is no record of
fish kills at this time. The north end of the lake, site ROY-3, had more uniform oxygen and
temperature levels. This was most likely a result of the shallow depth at this end of the lake.
The fact that this end of the lake is shallower allows mixing of the water from wind action so
stratification would not occur over extended periods of time. In July there was one date when
dissolved oxygen levels were low near the bottom at site ROY-3. This was most likely due to a
lack of wind action mixing the waters. Appendix D provides temperature and DO profiles for
the various seasons and at the three in-lake sampling sites during the study period.
39
TRIBUTARY MONITORING
In an effort to collect data on water and nutrients entering Patriot's Park Lake over the study
period, a staff gauge was placed on the major tributary and at the spillway. A staff gauge is a
measuring rod that allows relational water depths to be observed and recorded in tenths of a foot.
A cross section of the tributary was measured. The relationship between the staff gauge reading
and the cross-sectional area was used to determine volumes of water entering the lake. The
tributary staff gauge was located just south of the bridge where Illinois Highway 140 crosses the
tributary. It was designated ROY-02. Another staff gauge was located at the spillway and was
used to determine the outflow. The spillway staff gauge was designated ROY-01(Figure 20).
KPD personnel recorded regular staff gauge readings at ROY-01 and ROY-02. During storm
events park district personnel collected water samples from these sampling sites and recorded
staff heights for each site. Water samples were collected and shipped according to IEPA
protocol to IEPA laboratories for analysis. Water samples were analyzed for total suspended
solids (TSS), volatile suspended solids (VSS), phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen,
and Kjeldahl nitrogen. KPD staff also measured flow using a Global Water Works flow probe.
The flow data was used to determine the sediment and nutrient loading to the lake.
Figure 20. In-Lake & Tributary Sampling Sites
Tributary Sampling
Samples were taken during ambient
conditions and storm surge events in the
principal in-flowing tributary to the lake,
as well as in the area of the spillway or
out-flow of the lake. This provided
quantitative data on the quality as well as
quantity of various pollutants flowing into
and out of the lake. The difference
between these two values is the assumed
net amount of the pollutant retained in the
lake itself.
In cases where the pollutant is non-degradable,
such as sediments (in the form
of non-volatile suspended solids) the
actual net amount of the pollutant can be
assumed to remain in the lake indefinitely.
In cases of degradable substances (such as
organics / volatile suspended solids,
nutrients, some metals and synthetic
organics) the pollutant may very well be
“consumed” or change form. The quantity
of those pollutants can degrade the lake in
other ways, as further described below.
ROY-4
40
Table 19
Table 19 lists tributary sampling dates by storm event and baseline event.
TRIBUTARY SAMPLING DATES
ROY - 01 ROY - 02
Data Source Data Source
Date Baseline
Storm -
event Baseline
Storm -
event
5/15/01 x x
5/19/01 x x
5/21/01 x x
5/29/01 x x
5/30/01 x x
6/4/01 x x
6/7/01 x x
6/15/01 x x
6/25/01 x x
7/24/01 x x
7/25/01 x x
10/12/01 x
10/24/01 x x
10/27/01 x x
11/24/01 x x x
11/30/01 x x
12/13/01 x x
12/14/01 x x
12/15/01 x x
12/16/01 x x
12/17/01 x x
1/17/02 x x
1/30/02 x x
2/19/02 x x
2/23/02 x x
3/2/02 x
3/9/02 x
3/19/02 x x
4/1/02 x x
4/8/02 x x
4/23/02 x x
41
Tributary Total Suspended Solids
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Total Suspended Solids(mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Total Suspended Solids
Total suspended solids (TSS) is a measurement of all suspended material in the water including
both organic and inorganic materials. This would include materials such as algae, decaying plant
materials, minerals, and soil particles. Peak levels of TSS corresponded with rain events.
Values of TSS were used to calculate sediment loading. No data was available for the months of
August and September as the tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
Figure 21.
42
Tributary Volatile Suspended Solids
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Volatile Suspended Solids (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Volatile Suspended Solids
Volatile suspended solids (VSS) is a measurement of only the organic material suspended in the
water. This material would include algae, decaying plant material and all other organic material.
Peak levels of VSS also coincided with rain events. No data was available for the months of
August and September as the tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
Figure 22.
43
Tributary Non-Volatile Suspended Solids
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
NVSS (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Non-volatile suspended solids
Non-volatile suspended solids are the inorganic portion of the total suspended solids. NVSS
consist of soil particles eroded and transported from the watershed into the stream. The
concentration of NVSS is affected by the amount of rainfall on the watershed and the existing
watershed land surfaces. Typically, 75%-80% of the TSS is composed of NVSS which is most
likely eroded soil. All NVSS peak levels did coincide with rain events and the NVSS levels
accounted for 70%-90% of TSS in each instance (Figure 23).
Figure 23.
44
Tributary Total Phosphorus
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4
1.6
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Phsophorus (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Phosphorus
Phosphorus is a component found in both agricultural and residential fertilizer. It can also leach
from septic systems and feed lots. High phosphorus levels can lead to algal blooms and poor
water quality. Based on the Illinois General Use Water Quality Standard, in any reservoir or lake
with a surface area greater than or equal to 20 acres (8 hectares) or any tributary stream where it
enters the lake, the total phosphorus concentrations should not exceed 0.05 mg/l . When the
concentrations of phosphorus begin to consistently surpass the 0.05 mg/l standard, lake
eutrophication and primary plant production can be accelerated. The tributary exceeded this
standard on virtually every date sampled. No data was available for the months of August and
September as the tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
Figure 24.
45
Tributary Nitrate Nitrogen
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Nitrate & Nitrite Nitrogen (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Nitrate Nitrogen
Nitrate and nitrite are inorganic forms of nitrogen, which can enter a lake through agricultural
runoff, septic tank effluent and other forms of waste. The highest concentrations in tributary
water samples were found in late May and June (Figure 25). These elevated levels of nitrate-nitrogen
are probably attributable to the 3.88 inches of rainfall in the watershed during late May
and early June when farmers begin applying nitrogen rich fertilizer to their fields. No data was
available for the months of August and September as the tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
Figure 25.
46
Tributary Organic Nitrogen
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Organic Nitrogen (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Organic Nitrogen
The Kjeldahl method is a widely used standard method of chemical analysis for determining
protein nitrogen in biological materials. Kjeldahl nitrogen can be simplified as ammonia
nitrogen plus organic nitrogen. Organic nitrogen is calculated by subtracting ammonia nitrogen
from Kjeldahl nitrogen. Organic nitrogen can enter tributaries through decaying organic matter,
septic systems and agricultural waste. Organic nitrogen peaked in the tributary in late May / early
June and late October, and at the spillway in late October (Figure 26). No data was available for
the months of August and September as the tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
For all measures of Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (mg/l) for which the analysis date is between
May 2000 and July 2003, the reported value may not be accurate because the reported value
failed to meet the established quality control criteria for precision or accuracy. Since organic
nitrogen is calculated from Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen the results reported here may or may not be
accurate.
Figure 26.
47
Tributary Ammonia Nitrogen
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Ammonia Nitrogen (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Ammonia Nitrogen
Ammonia nitrogen is the form of nitrogen that is most readily usable for plant growth. High
ammonia concentrations can also have adverse affects on fish and other aquatic organisms. The
general use water quality standard states that total ammonia shall in no case exceed 15 mg/l. No
tributary samples exceeded this standard. Ammonia nitrogen peaked at the spillway in
December and January. No data was available for the months of August and September as the
tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
Figure 27.
48
Tributary Total Nitrogen
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
5/15/2001
5/19/2001
5/21/2001
5/29/2001
5/30/2001
6/4/2001
6/7/2001
6/15/2001
6/25/2001
7/24/2001
7/25/2001
10/12/2001
10/24/2001
10/27/2001
11/24/2001
11/30/2001
12/13/2001
12/14/2001
12/15/2001
12/16/2001
12/17/2001
1/17/2002
1/30/2002
2/19/2002
2/23/2002
3/2/2002
3/9/2002
3/19/2002
4/1/2002
4/8/2002
4/23/2002
Date
Total Nitrogen (mg/L)
ROY-01
ROY-02
Total Nitrogen
Total nitrogen is the sum of all nitrogen. It is calculated by adding Kjeldahl nitrogen and nitrate
nitrogen. The highest concentrations were found in late May / early June and late October for
the tributary site, and peaked sporadically for the spillway site (Figure 28). No data was
available for the months of August and September as the tributary had zero or insignificant flow.
Figure 28.
49
Tributary pH
The Illinois general use water quality standard for pH is between 6.5 and 9.0 standard units. The
pH of the lake is a measure of the hydrogen ion concentration in a substance, which ranges from
very acidic (pH = 1) to very alkaline (pH = 14) (USEPA, 1988).
No tributary pH readings were taken as part of the lake study protocol, as KPD staff lacked the
necessary equipment to measure this parameter. Samples taken by the IEPA on June 7th, 2001
indicated a pH of 9.5 at ROY-01, and a pH of 7.3 at ROY-02. This notable difference between
the inflow and outflow point seem to support the in – lake data results and the high algal
productivity within the lake. These samples were very close in pH range to those taken by IEPA
on the same day from the lake (Figure 19). Projections of tributary pH during the study period
could be made from the lake pH data.
SEDIMENT SURVEY
Surficial grab samples were taken of sediments and analyzed at IEPA laboratories. This data
reveals the amounts of certain types of organic and metallic compounds that have been trapped
in the sediment (Table 21). The sediment core samples collected by ZIES personnel were taken
at lake sites ROY-3 at a total depth of six feet and ROY-4 (within the sediment basin) at a total
depth of 2.5 feet. The IEPA collected samples at sites ROY-1 (13 ft) and ROY-3 (5ft) on
8/20/01. The information provides baseline data to make informed decisions about restoration
techniques, including dredging of the lake bottom. High concentrations of pesticides and heavy
metals in the sediment could affect the option to dredge.
Sediment organics analysis results indicate that all parameters were below detection limits at all
three sites. Sediment metals analysis of ZIES collected samples indicates that at site ROY-3 all
constituents were at or below normal levels while at site ROY-4 all constituents were normal or
below normal except potassium which was at highly elevated levels at this site. Samples
collected by the IEPA contained elevated to highly elevated levels of all constituents at ROY-1
except iron. Site ROY-3 results from the IEPA sample indicate elevated to highly elevated
levels of all constituents with the exception of phosphorous, cadmium, arsenic, and manganese
which were all at normal to low levels. Because of the significant difference between the results
from these separate sampling events caution is advised when interpreting these findings. The lab
results may require further investigation before a conclusion can be made. A sediment sample
collected by the IEPA on 8/11/93 showed all constituents at normal levels except barium and
phosphorous, which were at elevated levels on this date (Table 17). The statistical values
(Mitzelfelt, 1996) against which the levels are compared are provided on the following page.
50
Collected by: ZIES ZIES IEPA IEPA
ROY-3 ROY-4 ROY-1 ROY-3
Sample Depth 6 2.5 13 5
Phosphorus-P, Sed. 204 814 1550 490
Kjedahl-N, Sed N/A N/A 3520 3120
Solids, Vol, Sed. 6.5% 7.40% 15.3% 8.6%
Mercury, Sed. 0.10K 0.10K 0.10K 0.10K
Barium, Sed. 120 170 3100 470
Chromium, Sed. 13 14 200 130
Iron, Sed. 12000 13000 270000 49000
Manganese, Sed. 340 430 12000 1400
Silver, Sed. 0.5K 0.5K 6.2K 1.8K
Toc, Sed. 1.2% 1.90% 1.1% 2.1%
Solids, % Wet Sample 49.50% 52.70% 8.00% 27.70%
Arsenic, Sed. 3.6 4.4 77 5.9
Potassium, SE d/wt 720 9100 19000 4000
Cadmium, Sed. 0.5K 0.5K 6.2K 1.8K
Copper, Sed. 63 16 490 130
Lead, Sed. 18 17 260 68
Nickel, Sed. 11 11 160 40
Zinc, Sed. 50 54 570 200
Measured in Kg/mg
Patriots Park Lake Sediment Metals
Table 20. Sediment Survey Results
Table 21. Sediment Classifications
STANDARDS Detection Limit Low Normal Elevated Highly Elevated
Phosphorus-P, Sed. 0.1mg/Kg less than 394 394<1115 1115<2179 2179 or greater
Kjedahl-N, Sed 1.0mg/Kg less than 1300 1300<5357 5357<11700 11700 or greater
Mercury, Sed. 0.1mg/Kg n/a less than 0.15 0.15<0.701 .701 or greater
Barium, Sed. 1.0mg/Kg less than 94 94<271 271<397 397 or greater
Chromium, Sed. 10mg/Kg less than 13 13<27 27<49 49 or greater
Iron, Sed. 10mg/Kg less than 1600 1600<37000 37000<56000 56000 or greater
Manganese, Sed. 10mg/Kg less than 500 500<1700 1700<5500 5500 or greater
Silver, Sed. 0.1mgKg n/a less than 0.1 0.1<1 1 or greater
Arsenic, Sed. 0.5mg/Kg less than 4.1 4.1<14 14<95.5 95.5 or greater
Potassium, SE d/wt 10mg/Kg lesss than 410 410<2100 2100<2797 2797 or greater
Cadmium, Sed. 0.1mg/Kg n/a less than 5 5<14 14 or greater
Copper, Sed. 10mg/Kg less than 16.7 16.7<100 100<590 590 or greater
Lead, Sed. 0.1mg/Kg less than 14 14<59 59<339 339 or greater
Nickel, Sed. 1.0mg/Kg less than 14.3 14.3<31 31<43 43 or greater
Zinc, Sed. 10mg/Kg less than 59 59<145 145<1100 1100 or greater
51
Collected By: ZIES ZIES IEPA IEPA
ROY-3 ROY-4 ROY-1 ROY-3
UG/KG UG/KG UG/KG UG/KG
Total PCBS 10K 10K 10K 10K
Hexachlorobenzene 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Trifluralin 10K 10K 10K 10K
Alpha-BHC 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Gamma-BHC (Lindane) 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Atrazine 50K 50K 50K 50K
Heptachlor 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Aldrin 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Alachlor 10K 10K 10K 10K
Metribuzin 10K 10K 10K 10K
Metolachlor 25K 25K 25K 25K
Heptachlor Epoxide 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Pendimethalin 10K 10K 10K 10K
Gamma-Chlordane 2.0K 2.0K 2.0K 2.0K
Alpha-Chlordane 2.0K 2.0K 2.0K 2.0K
Total Alpha and Gamma Chlordane 5.0K 5.0K 5.0K 5.0K
Dieldrin 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Captan 10K 10K 10K 10K
Cyanazine 25K 25K 25K 25K
Endrin 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
P P'-DDE 2.5 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
P P'-DDD 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
P P'-DDT 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
Total DDT 10K 10K 10K 10K
Methoxychlor 5.0K 5.0K 5.0K 5.0K
K - detection limit not exceeded
Table 22. Patriots Park Lake Sediments Organic
BATHYMETRIC MAPPING
In order to develop an understanding of lake volume and possible loss of volume due to
sedimentation a bathymetric map of the bottom contours of the lake was made (Figure 29). A
Trimble Global Positioning System (GPS) and sonar depth finding equipment were used. GPS
points were collected throughout the lake in a transect pattern. The GPS technology allowed
staff to collect points with an exact knowledge of the location of these points. Depth at each
GPS point was recorded from sonar equipment, at normal lake pool. The boundaries of the lake
body, the sediment basin, the tributary, and other features were also recorded with the GPS unit.
ArcView geographical information system (GIS) software was then used to create a map of the
lake and its features.
52
Figure 29. Bathymetric Map Patriot’s Park
53
Using ArcView, KPD staff measured the area of descending lake bottom contours in two-foot
intervals (Figure 29). To calculate volume, each contour area was then multiplied by the depth
associated with that contour. Slope / depth variation within each depth contour was corrected
using the following method. All of the depth readings within a contour data set were tabulated,
and the mean calculated. The mean of a contour data set was then used as the depth in
calculating the volume of the contour. The volumes of all the contours were then summed to
arrive at total lake volume. Using this method, the total volume of Patriot's Park Lake was
determined to be 224.45 acre-feet (73,148,255 gallons).
Prior to the IEPA Clean Lakes Study, a study conducted by the Illinois Natural History Survey
estimated the volume of the lake to be 185.7 acre-feet. Comparing this to the current volume
estimated in this study would indicate a net gain of 38.75 acre-feet. The difference in volume
may be accounted for by extensive spillway reconstruction that was performed in 1993-1994.
Before reconstruction of the spillway, water flowing out of the lake was actually exiting the lake
at a level below that of the original spillway. Over the years water had entered cracks in the
concrete floor of the spillway and subsequent freeze/thaw cycles had caused the floor to heave
until most of the water was exiting the lake underneath the spillway floor (Jerry Sauerwein,
personal communication, 2003). Reconstruction of the spillway involved removing the old
concrete floor, setting a sub-base and pouring a new floor. Additionally, a 9-inch concrete lip
was added to the front of the spillway effectively raising the normal pool elevation. The Illinois
Natural History Survey (INHS) bathymetric mapping was completed prior to the rebuilding of
the spillway. It is unknown what the normal pool elevation would have been at the time of the
INHS study but is likely that it was at least 9 inches and possibly as much as 18 inches lower
than the current elevation. This spillway elevation difference would then account for the
difference in volume between the two studies.
Because of the lack of baseline data prior to 1987, no estimations can be made of lake volume
lost due to sedimentation since lake construction. However, as previously mentioned in this
report, sedimentation has been shown to be a significant factor affecting lake health. NRCS
investigations in 1996 revealed that within the upper sediment basin of the lake, the average
depth of silt deposits was 61 inches. Given the 63-year time span between the construction of
the lake and the NRCS study, the rate of volume loss in the sediment basin would be nearly an
inch per year. Additionally, NRCS staff observed a reduction in sediment basin water surface
area from an estimated 3.6 acres at its construction to approximately two acres at the time of the
study. Recent global positioning system (GPS) data taken by KPD staff confirms the present
surface area at normal pool. Within the remaining normally inundated area, depths have been
reduced to an average of 1.15 feet. This loss of volume has a significant impact on the
effectiveness of the sediment pond.
Hydraulically, it is likely that sedimentation rates have declined as retention time and storage
capacity within the sediment basin has decreased. This has resulted in the sediment basin
becoming a net exporter of sediments to the main body of the lake, a situation which cannot be
allowed to continue.
54
SHORELINE EROSION
Shoreline erosion is important to consider when looking at the overall health of a lake. Erosion
can affect a lake in many ways including sedimentation, loss of shoreline vegetation, interference
with light, release of nutrients, stressed fish, oxygen depletion and loss of underwater habitat.
(Fuller 1997). Sedimentation due to erosion can have a significant impact on the volume of the
lake over time. Although shoreline erosion is not the only source, it can contribute significantly
to this problem. Erosion can affect shoreline vegetation and habitat by reducing potential
growing areas of plants and trees near the shoreline. Suspended sediments from erosion can
reduce the photic zone, limit desired aquatic plant growth, displace benthic macro-invertebrate
habitat, and have a negative aesthetic effect. Nutrients added to the lake from shoreline erosion
can increase algae growth and lead to oxygen depletion. Increased turbidity can affect the ability
of aquatic organisms to feed.
There are several causes for shoreline erosion - some of them are controllable and some of them
are not. Some of the causes include loss of vegetation, powerboat waves, wind-generated waves
and ice. The loss of vegetation on or near the shoreline makes the shoreline more susceptible to
erosion. High-speed boats can increase the erosion on lakes. Patriot’s Park Lake’s trolling
motor limitation will positively affect erosive action due to boats. (Fuller 1997).
To obtain a better understanding of the shoreline erosion situation, The Kingsbury Park District
staff did a comprehensive survey of the shoreline around Patriot’s Park Lake on August 2nd,
2001. The lake water level was one inch above normal pool. A map was generated in which
areas of the shoreline were labeled in the following manner: slight erosion 1-3 ft, moderate
erosion 3-8 ft and severe erosion 8 + ft.
The survey indicates that there are 40 linear feet of severe erosion and 1,800 linear feet of
moderate erosion (Figure 30).
Shoreline erosion has exposed large segments of the concrete-rubble core within the causeway
separating the silt pond and the lake body. Erosion of the silt pond causeway occurs from wave
action and also when the basin fills and overflows during major (10-year) storm events. Several
holes are beginning to appear in the top of the silt pond dam as a result of settling of sediment in
the cavities of the concrete rubble core. An annual muskrat trapping program is in place to
reduce breakdown of the silt pond causeway and the lake dam by muskrat burrowing activity.
55
Figure 30. Shoreline Erosion Survey Map and Key
56
TROPHIC STATUS
The trophic status of a lake is a phrase that refers to the current degree of eutrophication.
Eutrophication is the process by which increased nutrient loads increase the productivity of
phytoplankton and macrophytes in the lake. Increased levels of phytoplankton and macrophytes
increase both turbidity and the biological oxygen demand (BOD) created by plant matter
anaerobic decomposition. Increased BOD produces low dissolved oxygen and poor aquatic
habitat. The trophic status gives an understanding of water quality problems and the biological
aging of a lake. Lakes are classified by trophic state using the Trophic State Index (TSI) of
Carlson (1977) which equates TSI to general ranges for Secchi transparency depth (SD), total
phosphorous (TP) and Chlorophyll a (CHLA). Carlson’s TSI is a commonly used, widely
accepted method for classifying lakes by trophic condition. The TSI is calculated from TP
(surface data only), CHLA, and SD data.
The TSI uses a scale from 0 to 100, which is based on the log transformation of Secchi disk
transparency; chlorophyll a corrected and total phosphorous concentrations. The trophic state of
a lake is calculated by averaging the index numbers for Secchi disk transparency, chlorophyll a
and TP.
The following are Carlson’s TSI equations:
TSI = 60 – 14.41 ln Secchi disk (meters)
TSI = 9.81 ln Chlorophyll a (corrected) in μg/l) + 30.6
TSI = 14.42 ln Total phosphorous (μg/l) + 4.15
Using the mean values of Secchi disk transparency, chlorophyll a (corrected) and TP
concentrations, trophic state indices for the current baseline year were as follows:
SD CHLA TP Mean
TSI value 63 70 80 71
As shown by these results the trophic status of Patriot’s Park Lake for the baseline year was in
the eutrophic to hypereutrophic range. These results are also in agreement with those reported in
the phytoplankton summary of Patriot’s Park Lake.
Trophic State TSI SD (inches) TP (mg/l) CHLA (μg/l)
Oligotrophic <40 >145 <0.012 <2.5
Mesotrophic ≥40<50 >79≤145 ≥0.012<0.025 ≥2.5<7.5
Eutrophic ≥50>70 >18≤79 ≥0.025<0.100 ≥7.5<55
Hypereutrophic ≥70 ≤18 ≥0.100 ≥55
57
BIOLOGICAL MONITORING
In addition to the physical and chemical measurements taken, several biological parameters were
studied as a part of the project. These studies included a phytoplankton survey, chlorophyll a
analysis, a macrophyte survey, a fish survey, a bacteriological analysis and a waterfowl survey.
Phytoplankton
Phytoplankton are microscopic algae that live suspended in the water column. Developing an
understanding of the types of phytoplankton found in a lake will give insight into the lake’s
health. High concentrations of blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) are usually an indicator of a
eutrophic lake because they thrive in organically rich waters. Phytoplankton are at the bottom of
the food chain, providing food material for larger organisms including fish. Communities of
phytoplankton are good indicators of a lake’s trophic status and can influence the overall
biological health of a lake. They influence food availability, light penetration, and oxygen
availability. As phytoplankton die, they contribute to sedimentation and filling of a lake.
Algae Genera Cell Density and Cell Volumes
As part of the IEPA’s ALMP program, Kingsbury Park District staff collected water samples to
be tested for genera, cell density and cell volumes. Phytoplankton analysis was conducted at the
University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, IL. In the excerpted report that follows, table and
graph references must be disregarded; a complete listing of taxa and summary & number of
biovolumes of organisms can be found in Appendix A – Phytoplankton Data.
___________________________________________________________________________
Lake Patriot’s Park Report June 14 2002
Lake Patriot’s Park was sampled at one site (Site 1) on 9 April, 7 June, 10
July, 20 August and 15 October, 2001 (Table: List of Taxa; Summary of
Numbers and Biovolumes of Organisms). No record of sampling in earlier years
was available. Blue-greens (Cyanophyta) dominated the phytoplankton totals on
all dates except 9 April when cryptomonads (Cryptophyta) were the most
numerous phytoplankters (Table: Phytoplankton Totals; Graphs:
Total Phytoplankton; Cryptophyta; Cyanophyta).
Diatoms (Bacillariophyta) reached their peak density (245/mL) on 9
April and were in low densities (<100/mL) on the remaining dates. Cyclotella
meneghiniana was responsible for a large part of the total density on 9 April
(112/mL out of a total of 245/mL). Four other taxa were in the sample on that
date. Melosira varians and Navicula cryptocephala var. cryptocephala were at
10/mL, Nitzschia acicularis at 20/mL and N. palea at 92/mL. All of these and the
other diatoms seen in 2001 are those typical of eutrophic lakes. N. palea was in
every sample taken and along with N. acicularis is tolerant of high levels of
organic materials. These two species, Navicula cryptocephala and Surirella ovata
(in the sample from 7 June) develop on the bottom in shallow areas of lakes or are
washed into the lake from the bottom of streams entering the lake. In the lake,
they continue to develop as part of the phytoplankton.
58
Green algae (Chlorophyta) were not in high (1000 or more/mL) densities
on any date in 2001. They reached their peak in production on 20 August at
978/mL. Unlike the diatoms, however, they were in densities >100/mL on the
remaining dates. The taxa seen in the samples from 2001 are those typical of
eutrophic lakes. Schroederia setigera was the only green in the sample from 9
April and it formed all of the total density (112/mL) on that date. On 7 June,
Carteria multifilis was responsible for most of the total (306/mL out of the total of
387/mL). On 10 July and 20 August, Phacotus lenticularis was the most
numerous green. It was at 255/mL (out of a total of 489/mL) on the first date and
at 632/mL (out of 978/mL) on the second. Eudorina elegans was second to
Phacotus on 10 July at 102/mL and C. multifilis was second at 275/mL on 20
August. The latter formed most (92/mL) of the total (122/mL) on 15 October.
No chrysophytes (Chrysophyta) were seen in the samples from 2001.
The 9 April date should have been earlier enough to have collected some of these
algae. They characteristically develop in the phytoplankton during periods when
temperatures are lower and competition from other algae is less.
As was noted, cryptomonads (Cryptophyta) were the most abundant
(>1000/mL) algae on 9 April when they reached their peak of 11,527/mL.
Cryptomonas sp. (No. 1) formed most (11,456/mL) of this peak (Table: Numbers
and Biovolumes-Taxa). It was the only species present on 7 June and 15 October
and was the most numerous on 10 July (173/mL out of a total of 183/mL), 20
August (143/mL out of a total of 204/mL). Characteristically, it is C. erosa that
forms large densities in spring rather than the C. sp. The latter is more tolerant of
high levels of organic materials and forms its major numbers after a heavy rain,
an algicide treatment or in lakes with destratifiers in place.
Blue-greens (Cyanophyta) were most numerous organisms on every date
after 9 April. They reached their peak on 20 August at 3261/mL and were
abundant (>1000/mL) on 9 April (1885/mL), 10 July (1835/mL) and 15 October
(2334/mL). They were numerous (866/mL) on 7 June. All three taxa indicative
of eutrophic conditions in lakes were present in Lake Patriot’s Park in 2001. Two
of the three reached a “bloom” density of 1000 or more/mL (One Million or
more/L). Anabaena spiroides var. crassa was at 1784/mL (1.784 Million/L) on
20 August and was the most abundant blue-green on that date. Aphanizomenon
flos-aquae was at 1060/mL (1.06 Million/L) and was the most abundant blue-green
on 10 July (Table: Numbers and Biovolumes-Taxa). Microcystis
aeruginosa did not reach a bloom density, but was present on all dates except for
9 April (Table: List of Taxa). It reached its peak on 15 October at 214/mL and
was at 31/mL on 7 June, 61/mL on 10 July and 41/mL on 20 August. Two
innocuous blue-greens were responsible for most of the total production of blue-greens
on dates other than those already mentioned. Anacystis montana and
Gomphosphaeria lacustris are usually not of concern in lakes since they do not
impart tastes or odors to the water or produce toxins. They do increase turbidity
and may color the water. Gomphosphaeria was dominant on 9 April (1040/mL
out of the total for blue-greens of 1885/mL), 7 June (673/mL out of 866/mL) and
15 October (1651/mL out of 2334/mL). The only other blue-greens not
59
mentioned, Schizothrix calcicola and an Oscillatoria sp., were present but at low
densities.
Euglenoids (Euglenophyta) were not important contributors to the
phytoplankton in Lake Patriot’s Park on any date in 2001. Their peak density of
795/mL occurred on 9 April. Most of this total (734/mL)was produced by
Colacium vesiculosum which was attached to the copepod, Cyclops sp., and the
cladoceran, Bosmina longirostris. This euglenoid is epizoic on these two
organisms and legitimately is not part of the phytoplankton until it produces its
Euglena-like zoospore. Trachelomonas volvocina was responsible for a majority
of the total production on 7 June (82/mL out of a total of 92/mL) and all of it on
10 July (41/mL) and 20 August (51/mL). No euglenoids were in the sample from
15 October.
As was the case with the euglenoids, the dinoflagellates (Pyrrhophyta)
were not responsible for much of the total phytoplankton production (Table:
Phytoplankton Totals). Ceratium hirundinella was the only one present on 10
July. On 20 August, it and Glenodinium gymnodinium formed the total density
of dinoflagellates with the former at 10/mL and the latter at 20/mL. Numbers and
Biovolumes-Taxa). Both of these algae are typically found in eutrophic lakes.
Summary
Patriot’s Park Lake was eutrophic in 2001. This conclusion is based on
the types of taxa composing the diatoms, greens, cryptomonads, euglenoids and
the dinoflagellates. It is strongly supported by the presence of Anabaena
spiroides var. crassa, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa and
the “bloom” densities of the first two. Three positive features of the lake should
be noted. First, total phytoplankton production was not extremely high on any
date in 2001 except 9 April. Second, the lack of large densities of euglenoids and
Schizothrix calcicola indicated that the lake had not developed extensive
shallows by 2001. Finally, the water temperatures must not have been extremely
high in 2001 since Raphidiopsis curvata was not present in the samples taken in
July and August. This blue-green appears when water temperature reaches 25 C
or higher.
60
Chlorophyll a
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
4/9/01
5/15/01
5/29/01
6/7/01
6/25/01
7/10/01
7/25/01
8/20/01
8/27/01
9/4/01
9/20/01
10/15/01
10/27/01
11/24/01
12/15/01
1/17/02
2/23/02
Date
Chlorophyll a(ug/L)
ROY-1
ROY-2
ROY-3
Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll a is a pigment found in all green plants and is necessary for photosynthesis. The
amount of chlorophyll a found in the water is used as a measure of the amount of algae present in
the water. Chlorophyll a concentrations are also used as a variable in determining the degree of
eutrophication and trophic status of a lake. Chlorophyll a samples were collected at three sites by
the Kingsbury Park District staff and analyzed at IEPA laboratories. All sample values were
corrected for pheophytin a. Pheophytin a is the breakdown product of chlorophyll a and is
helpful in assessing the state of the algal population. A high concentration of pheophytin a may
indicate an algal die-off or a stressed population. The corrected chlorophyll a values equal only
the living chlorophyll a.
Chlorophyll a was found in the slightly elevated range on most dates. The highest levels
occurred from late August through late September. This was also the time of the highest volatile
suspended solid readings and the lowest Secchi readings during the study. Chlorophyll a levels
peaked at all three sites on 8/27/01. ROY-1, 230 μg/l; ROY-2, 240 μg/l; ROY-3, 390 μg/l
(Figure 31). A copper based algaecide, Cutrine, was applied to the lake in early October prior to
trout stocking. This may have had some affect on the chlorophyll a count in mid-October.
Figure 31.
61
FISHERIES
Water quality can have a direct impact on the fish population in the lake and a healthy
fishery is a major concern for Patriot’s Park Lake. Fishing is one of the main recreational
activities that take place on the lake, and it is known for its quality fishing. Sport fishers
regularly come from areas as far
away as the St. Louis metropolitan
area for the bass, bluegill, and
catfish. Rainbow trout are also
stocked annually for the enjoyment
of local fishermen as well as the
youth fishing derby. Maintaining a
quality fishery is an important
component of overall lake
management. The Illinois
Department of Natural Resources
has done a very good job managing
the fisheries for Patriot’s Park Lake,
in part through the efforts of
Charlie Marbut, IDNR Fisheries
Manager (retired). Fish stocking
records from 1992 through 2002
were provided by the Illinois
Department of Natural Resources
Division of Fisheries (Table 23).
The most recent Lake Management
Status Report for Patriot’s Park
Lake was completed in 1998
(Appendix B). Fish were sampled
by electro fishing and gill nets.
Tissue samples were tested by the
IEPA lab (Table 24). The IDNR in
cooperation with the Park District
sets fishing regulations including
number and size limits in addition to developing a lake management plan which involves
conducting regular fish surveys.
Species Number Size Date
channel catfish 1176 8.8" 7‑ 18‑ 02
channel catfish 2500 5.0" 5‑ 14‑ 02
rainbow trout 1950 6‑ 8" 10‑ 10‑ 02
channel catfish 7000 4.0" 8‑ 27‑ 02
channel catfish 1054 8.0" 8‑ 31‑ 01
largemouth bass 7000 3.5" 7‑ 31‑ 01
rainbow trout 2375 6‑ 8" 10‑ 11‑ 01
channel catfish 723 8.0" 8‑ 16‑ 00
rainbow trout 2375 6‑ 8" 10‑ 9‑ 00
channel catfish 720 10.0" 8‑ 18‑ 99
channel catfish 480 8.0" 11‑ 2‑ 99
rainbow trout 2050 8‑ 10" 10‑ 12‑ 99
largemouth bass 12500 1.5" 6‑ 3‑ 98
rainbow trout 2500 8‑ 12" 10‑ 16‑ 98
largemouth bass 257 16.5" 09‑ 09‑ 98
channel catfish 47 10" 10‑ 9‑ 97
channel catfish 1255 8.0" 08‑ 12‑ 97
rainbow trout 2500 10" 10‑ 10‑ 97
channel catfish 628 8.4" 09‑ 19‑ 97
rainbow trout 2400 8‑ 10" 10‑ 17‑ 96
channel catfish 1255 8" 08‑ 12‑ 96
rainbow trout 2250 9.0" 10‑ 12‑ 95
largemouth bass 500 3.0" 09‑ 25‑ 95
largemouth bass 4260 4.0" 09‑ 09‑ 94
channel catfish 1255 9.0" 10‑ 04‑ 94
rainbow trout 1250 10‑ 13" 10‑ 13‑ 94
channel catfish 1255 8.5" 07‑ 29‑ 93
channel catfish 1255 8.4" 07‑ 08‑ 92
Source: IDNR Fisheries
Table 23. Patriot’s Park Lake Fish Stocking Records
62
Table 24. IEPA Fish Tissue Samples
Collected by: DNR C. Marbut Electrofishing & Gill Nets
Date: 1/25/2002
Species
Largemouth
Small
Largemouth
Large
Channelcat
Large
# of fish 5 5 4
ALDRIN .01K .01K .01K
TOTAL CHLORDANE .02K .02K .02K
TOTAL DDT AND ANALOGS 0.02 0.01 .01K
DIELDRIN .01K .01K .01K
TOTAL PCBS 0.1K 0.1K 0.1K
HEPTACHLOR .01K .01K .01K
HEPTACHLOR EPOXIDE .01K .01K .01K
TOXAPHENE 1.0K 1.0K 1.0K
METHOXYCHLOR .05K .05K .05K
HEXACHLOROBENZENE .01K .01K .01K
GAMMA-BHC (LINDANE) .01K .01K .01K
ALPHA-BHC .01K .01K .01K
MIREX .01K .01K .01K
ENDRIN .01K .01K .01K
LIPID CONTENT % 1.40% 0.89% 2.20%
SAMPLE WEIGHT Lbs 1.35A 3.07A 2.43A
FISH SPECIES CODE NUM 31 31 16
FISH SPECIES -ALPHA LMB LMB CHC
ANATOMY (NUMERIC) 86 86 86
ANALYZING AGENCY 1 1 1
LENGTH (INCH) 0.93A 17.5A 20.14A
All chemicals in ug/g Note: K = Less Than Value
Fish tissue samples were below detectable limits for all constituents analyzed in all species.
63
MACROPHYTE SURVEY
Macrophytes are used by the IEPA as one determining factor of aquatic life health and as a
recreational use impairment indicator (ALI, RUI). The quality of a lake can be impaired by an
over abundance of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. Macrophytes play an important role in the
ecology of a lake. Macrophytes can provide shelter for fish, slow erosion, provide habitat for
waterfowl, provide an oxygen source and absorb nutrients that are coming into the lake. The
amount of aquatic or semi-aquatic macrophytes located in Patriot’s Park Lake would be
considered slight to minimal. This is likely a result of steep banks and water level fluctuations.
The Kingsbury Park District, Dan Marsch and Dr. James Lang of Greenville College did an
extensive macrophyte survey on August 1, 2001. This survey consisted of collecting and
mapping macrophytes throughout the lake. Thirty-two areas with significant macrophyte growth
were identified. These were labeled 1-32. Plants in these areas were identified by their scientific
name and common name when available (Steyermark 1999). The abundance of each type of
plant was identified as sparse, moderate, or dense. This information was used to generate a map
(Figure 32) and Tables 25 & 26.
On August 1, 2001, the lake was unusually transparent for the season, with extended Secchi
readings:
ROY-1: 102 inches
ROY-2: 79 inches
ROY-3: 56 inches
The surface along the shoreline, extending 10-40 feet into the lake, consisted of a thick layer of
Lemna sp. (duck weed), Wolffia brasiliensis (watermeal), and filamentous algae. Beneath this
layer, beds of Potamogeton sp. (pondweed) and filamentous algae extend 10-20 feet from the
shore, or to an approximate depth of five feet. Along heavily wooded / shaded areas
macrophytes were either sparse or non-existent, whereby terrestrials resided at the waters edge.
Patriot’s Park Lake contains many small coves throughout the main body of the lake. Several of
the largest coves were considered separate areas for the macrophyte survey. The lake has steep
banks around most of the shoreline leaving little room for aquatic macrophytes. However, many
of the coves are densely occupied with Taxodium distichum (Bald Cypress), giving a distinct
uniqueness to the lake’s small area. Most of the plants found ranged from emergent to upland
types of vegetation. All areas in the lake, except those found near the lakefront, were similar in
nature with steep banks and moderate vegetation. The most common species in these areas were
Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass), Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), and Jussiaea
repens (water primrose). Areas #24 through #26 and #1, however, are located on the lakefront
where the bank gradient is considerably less than the rest of the shoreline. These areas offered
the most diverse sections of the lake with some species appearing only within them.
64
Figure 32. Macrophyte Survey Map and Key
65
Table 25. Macrophyte Survey Areas 1-15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Asclepias sp. S S S
Boehmeria cylindrica M S
Cephalanthus occidentalis S S S S
Cyperus croceus S
Cyperus sp. M
Cyperus strigosus S
Eclipta alba S
Eleocharis sp. M
Impatiens pallida S S S S
Juncus effusus S
Jussiaea repens S S M
Phlaris arundinacea D M D D D D S M S M D D
Phyla lanceolata M S S
Polygonum punctatum S
Polygonum hydropiperM S
Sagittaria sp. S
Taxodium distichum S S M D D
PLANT NAME
DENSITY and LOCATION
66
Table 26. Macrophyte Survey Areas 16-32
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
Asclepias sp.
Boehmeria cylindrica
Cephalanthus occidentalis S S S
Cyperus croceus M M M
Cyperus sp. D
Cyperus strigosus S S S
Eclipta alba M S S
Echinochloa sp. D
Eleocharis sp. S
Impatiens pallida M
Juncus effusus S M
Jussiaea repens M M M M S M M D
Phlaris arundinacea D M D M M M D D S D MS D
Phyla lanceolata S DD
Polygonum punctatum S
Polygonum hydropiper
Sagittaria sp.
Taxodium distichum S S M D S M D
PLANT NAME
DENSITY and LOCATION
67
BACTERIOLOGY
Bacteriological samples were taken to check for coliform bacteria (Figure 33). Fecal coliforms
are indicators of possible human and animal waste contamination. It is important for
drinking and recreational waters to be free from pathogenic organisms. High levels of
coliforms and streptococcus are often a result of leaching of septic systems, feedlot runoff,
large waterfowl populations, cattle grazing and run-off from wildlife areas. There are two
potential sources of sewage effluent located on the park property. The caretaker’s house is
served by a septic tank and leach field that is greater than 25 years old and the new public
restrooms completed in September 2002 are served by a septic tank and sand filter system.
Both of these systems discharge onto the hillside on the north shore of the lake.
The Illinois general use standards for fecal coliforms state that they shall not exceed a geometric
mean of 200 per 100 ml nor shall more than 10% of at least five samples during any 30-day
period exceed 400 per 100 ml in protected waters. Protected waters are areas that support
primary contact or flow through or are adjacent to parks or residential areas (IPCB Part
302.209). The IEPA 305(b) water quality report sets a guideline of non-support for
swimming when the geometric mean of all fecal coliform samples is greater than or equal to
200 per100ml or 25% of all samples exceeds 400 per 100 ml.
Bacteriological samples were collected by Kingsbury Park District staff and analyzed at Madison
County Environmental Laboratory in Edwardsville, Illinois.The highest concentration of
coliforms were found at the northwest end of the lake (ROY-02), and usually after rain events.
However, peak concentrations of coliforms did not correspond to significant rain events in all
cases. During the month of October Kingsbury Park District staff observed livestock in the
tributary prior to sampling at ROY-02. These incidents may have resulted in coliform spikes in
October or additional months. Since five samples were never taken on a given date at a site it is
not known if the high concentrations would have exceeded the IEPA standard. Regardless of the
coliform levels, swimming has not been permitted in the lake for more than 25 years.
68
Fecal Coliforms
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
4500
5000
5/15/01 6/25/01 7/25/01 8/2/01 9/4/01 10/25/01 11/20/01 12/13/01 1/17/02 2/19/02 3/19/02 4/1/02
Date
Fecal Coliforms per 100ml
ROY-1t
ROY-2
ROY-3
ROY02
> 20,000 5,900
Figure 33.
69
WILDLIFE
Waterfowl and Bird Survey
To develop an understanding of the numbers and types of birds and waterfowl using the lake, Kingsbury Park
District staff recorded bird observations while taking water samples throughout the year. This information was used
to compile a table of the species of birds that were seen directly on or near the water (Table 27). Waterfowl can
contribute significant amounts of pollution to a lake through fecal matter if they are found in large numbers
throughout the year. There was not a large enough number of resident waterfowl observed to have a significant
impact on the water quality, therefore nutrient loading from waterfowl is probably not a significant factor. Great
blue herons were the only birds that were present during the survey in all months except when the lake was iced
over. The other species were seasonal or in a migration pattern when they were observed on the lake. A summary of
the greatest number of birds seen on any given day at the lake is illustrated in Figure 34.
Endangered Birds at Patriot’s Park Lake
In October and November an osprey (Pandion haliaetus) was spotted at the lake on two different
occasions. In 1952 the Osprey was listed as an extinct species in Illinois (Table 27). The osprey
was not seen nesting again until 1986. Pied-billed grebes (Podilymbus podiceps), which are
considered threatened in Illinois, were also spotted on Patriot’s Park Lake. A total of six grebes
were seen in the months of November and December. There are several endangered species that
may potentially occur in Bond County; Table 28 shows this list.
Mammals
There is evidence of one type of mammal directly dependent on the aquatic system of Patriot’s
Park Lake. Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) tend to congregate within the silt basin at the lake.
They are attracted to the area due to the thick stand of reed canary grass (Phalaris spp.) covering
most of that area. Due to historical damage to the silt basin dam there is an active program to
control the muskrat population in the lake.
There are many other mammals within the Patriot’s Park Lake watershed but they are not
entirely dependent on the lake to live. The watershed around the lake contains many different
types of land uses. These range from agricultural crops and pasture to narrow riparian corridors
and small blocks of oak-hickory dominated forests. These areas certainly provide habitat for a
number of different mammals.
70
Table 27. Bird Count Estimates
Common
Name
Scientific
Name May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr
Canada
Goose
Branta
Canadensis 6 3 19 4 1