Ingham Lake IA 04-UDM-1303

For the 2016 assessment/listing cycle, the Class A1 (primary contact recreation) uses of Ingham Lake are assessed (monitored) as "not supported" due to poor water transparency and aesthetically objectionable conditions caused by algae blooms based on information from the ISU lake survey. Using the median values from these surveys from 2010-2014 (approximately 15 samples), Carlson 's (1977) trophic state indices for Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus were 77, 79, and 77 respectively for Ingham Lake. According to Carlson (1977) the Secchi depth, chlorophyll a, and total phosphorus values all place Ingham Lake in the Hypereutrophic category. These values suggest extremely high levels of chlorophyll a and suspended algae in the water, extremely poor water transparency, and extremely high levels of phosphorus in the water column. The data show one violation of the Class A1 criterion for pH in 15 samples.

Note:  A TMDL for algae and turbidity at Ingham Lake was prepared by IDNR and approved by EPA in 2005.   Because all Section 303(d) impairments identified for the 2016 assessment/listing cycle (algae, pH, turbidity) are addressed by the TMDL, this waterbody is placed in IR Category 4a (impaired; TMDL approved).  

The level of inorganic suspended solids was moderately high at Ingham Lake, and does suggest that non-algal turbidity may contribute to the impairment at this lake. The median level of inorganic suspended solids in Ingham Lake (6.7 mg/L) was ranked 102nd among the 138 lakes by the ISU lake survey.

Data from the 2010-2014 ISU lake survey suggest a large population of cyanobacteria exists at Ingham Lake, which suggests the potential for an impairment due to nuisance aquatic life These data show that cyanobacteria comprised 97% of the phytoplankton wet mass at this lake. The median cyanobacteria wet mass (276.5 mg/L) was ranked 137th of the 138 lakes sampled. This median is in the worst 25% of the 138 lakes sampled. The presence of a large population of cyanobacteria at this lake suggests a potential violation of Iowa's narrative water quality standard protecting against the occurrence of nuisance aquatic life. This assessment is based strictly on the distribution of the lake-specific median cyanobacteria values from 2010-2014. Median levels greater than the 75th percentile of this distribution were arbitrarily considered to represent potential impairment. No other criteria exist, however, upon which to base a more accurate identification of impairments due to cyanobacteria. Assessments based on level of cyanobacteria will be considered "evaluated" (indicating an assessment with relatively lower confidence) as opposed to "monitored" (indicating an assessment with relatively higher confidence) to account for this lower level of confidence.

The Class B(LW) (aquatic life) uses are assessed (evaluated) as “partially supported” based on information from IDNR’s Fisheries Bureau and results from the ISU lake survey.  Nuisance blooms of algae, nutrients, and re-suspension of sediment remain concerns at this lake.   Information from the IDNR Fisheries Bureau suggests that water quality is very poor and winterkills are common. Results of the ISU lake survey from 2010-2014 show there were no violations of the criterion for ammonia in 15 samples(0%), one violation of the criterion for dissolved oxygen in 15 samples(7%), and one violation of the criterion for pH in 15 samples(7%). Based on IDNR's assessment methodology these violations are not significantly greater than 10% of the samples and therefore suggest (fully supported/monitored) of the Class B(LW) uses of Ingham Lake.

A fish kill that occurred in this lake on or before August 16, 2007 also suggests "impairment" of the Class B(LW) uses.   The kill was identified as a natural kill resulting from high temperatures and low dissolved oxygen.   The kill mainly affected carp and occurred in the goose pen area off Ingham Lake.   The total number of fish killed was 10.   This is the same assessment as that developed for the 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 assessment/listing cycles.   Based on IDNR's 2016 assessment methodology the occurrence of a single pollutant-caused fish kill, or a fish kill of unknown origin, on a waterbody or waterbody reach during the most recent assessment period (2012-2014) indicates a severe stress to the aquatic community and suggests that the aquatic life uses should be assessed as “impaired”.   If a cause of the kill was not identified during the IDNR investigation, or if the kill was attributed to non-pollutant causes (e.g., winterkill), the assessment type will be considered “evaluated” and will be placed in IR subcategories 2b or 3b and will be added to the state list of waters in need of further investigation.  

Fish consumption uses remain "not assessed" due to the lack of fish contaminant monitoring in this lake.