Analysis and Applications of Lake User Survey Data

ABSTRACT

Lake management often requires assessment of water quality impacts on lake users. Lake user surveys provide a means for linking sampling parameters such as total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, or transparency and user impacts such as nuisance algae levels and recreational impairment. A lake user survey was conducted on nearly 500 lakes in Minnesota and Vermont concurrently with citizens' water quality sampling programs. The results showed that quantifiable and statistically significant relationships existed between eutrophication-related water quality measurements and user perceptions of nuisance algal conditions. However, strong differences existed in these relationships between the two states and among lake regions within each state, indicating that specific regional relationships should be developed whenever possible. This report describes applications of lake user survey results, including statewide lake assessments, wastewater discharge impact evaluations, lake management goal setting, and water quality standards development.