Long and Ringo Lakes Excess Nutrients Total Maximum Daily Load

Long Lake and Ringo Lake are currently listed on the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's (MPCA) 2010 303(d) Impaired Waters List due to excessive nutrients, specifically phosphorus. Both of these lakes require a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) report. Long Lake was originally listed in 2002, and Ringo Lake was originally listed in 2010. The designated uses for both lakes are for aquatic recreation (boating, swimming, fishing, etc.). This TMDL study assesses the pollutant source inventories and subsequent pollutant reduction strategies required to reach the North Central Hardwood Forest (NCHF) ecoregion phosphorus standard of ≤60 μg/L. Strategies to reduce internal loading (i.e. loading from phosphorus already in the lake) will need to be developed based primarily on fisheries and vegetation management as well as potential reductions of boating activity in sensitive areas. Other internal loading treatment methods will need to be considered in the Implementation Plan but could include chemical treatment of in-lake phosphorus