Lake Assessment Program - Crane Lake and Little Vermilion Lake, St Louis County

The lakes in and surrounding Voyageurs National Park (Figure 1) are predominantly of high quality. The water quality of several large lakes in the Park (Rainy, Namakan, Sand Point, and Kabetogama) has been assessed previously by the US Geological Survey (Payne, 1991; Payne, 2000). Dams at the inlets and outlet of Rainy Lake control water levels in the Park's large lakes. Recent (2000) changes instituted by the International Joint Commission now allow a more natural water flow regime in the Park's lakes (Greg Payne, USGS, written communication). These changes in water level regulations prompted the US Geological Survey and National Park Service to further study the lake's trophic state indicators (i.e. productivity). The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) chose to study Crane and Little Vermilion lakes in 2001 because: 1) They have little or no historical data; 2) USGS and Voyageurs National Park requested our assistance as part of their study of the nearby downstream lakes (although Crane and Little Vermilion are also affected by the downstream hydro dams); and 3) The local sanitary district requested a water quality assessment before the installation of a sewer system around Crane Lake so potential future changes in water quality can be determined. The new sanitary sewer system will service the community of Crane Lake and properties along the southern shore of the lake. Construction is anticipated in the summer of 2002.