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Nutrient Load Estimates for Lake Erie 2005
Citation:
DOLAN, D., P. RICHARDS, AND R. G. KREIS. Nutrient Load Estimates for Lake Erie 2005. Presented at 6th Biennial Lake Erie Millennium Conference, Windsor, ON, CANADA, April 27 - 29, 2010.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation focuses on an overview of temporal and spatially explicit phosphorus loading information for 2005; limited preliminary results of nitrate and total suspended solids loads are also presented.
Description:
Evaluation of phosphorus loads to Lake Erie is in progress for multiple uses in the Lake Erie ECOFORE Program. Emphasis is being placed on phosphorus loadings in 1976, 2005, and 2007 for model calibration and other purposes. This presentation focuses on an overview of temporal and spatially explicit phosphorus loading information for 2005; limited preliminary results of nitrate and total suspended solids loads are also presented. Further total Lake loading updates for several parameters are planned in the future through 2007 and beyond. Total phosphorus loads for the Millennium have sparingly exceeded the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement Target of 11,000 MTA. The Maumee and Detroit Rivers continue to contribute the greatest relative loads of phosphorus to Lake Erie. Generally, non-point phosphorus loads are the greatest contributor, followed by municipal and atmospheric inputs, respectively. Preliminary comparisons indicated that Detroit River WWTP phosphorus load has decreased over time. Maumee River phosphorus loads have generally increased overtime and the Maumee also contributes relatively large loads of total suspended solids and nitrate. Further examination of loading data for all parameters will be conducted in the future and will be used for mathematical modeling and for reconciling the evolving impacts being observed in Lake Erie.