Coping with Water Quality Problems due to Hypolimnetic Anoxia in Central Ontario Lakes

Abstract

Abstract Many lakes experience oxygen depletion in their hypolimnia during summer or winter stratification. This study investigates the remedial actions that are available to combat the harmful effects of hypolimnetic anoxia in three types of Central Ontario lakes with different trophic states. In more eutrophic lakes, e.g., Lake Wilcox, southern Ontario, much phosphorus accumulates in the hypolimnion during anoxia and represents ca. 60% of the annual P budget. To diminish the detrimental effects of such a high internal phosphorus load, withdrawal of the hypolimnetic waters, together with damming of the surface water outflow, has been suggested. In oligo- to mesotrophic Chesley Lake, on the Niagara Escarpment, phosphorus accumulation in the hypolimnion is only slight and metals with a binding capacity for phosphorus are available. Here a hypolimnetic oxygenation has been suggested to alleviate the stress on fish and also to prevent further P release from the sediments. Lakes in the District of Muskoka are softwater lakes because of their location on the Canadian Shield. Although the geochemistry of the catchment typically renders these lakes nutrient poor and oligotrophic, long-term development on their shores has led to phosphorus accumulation in the sediments that is released under anoxic conditions in some lakes. To prevent the deterioration of the water quality in these lakes, water quality models to manage and control future development in its watersheds, as those of the district municipality, should include anoxia and internal P recycling in a quantitative manner.