Ford Lake Research Articles

Ogilvie Platform Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element

Abstract The Ogilvie Platform Composite Tectono-Sedimentary Element (CTSE) occupies an area of about 68 000 km 2 in the northern part of the Yukon Territory of Canada, and includes all Paleozoic- and Triassic-aged strata between a base of Cambrian unconformity and a base of Jurassic and Cretaceous unconformity. This cratonic platform is composed of two lithologically distinct sedimentary successions: a lower suite of peritidal to shallow-subtidal, carbonate-dominated, Cambrian–Middle Devonian-aged units; and an upper succession of siliciclastic-dominated alluvial fan, shelf delta, nearshore, slope and basinal strata of Middle Devonian–Late Permian and Triassic age. The lower succession is composed of a synrift tectono-sedimentary element (TSE) and an overlying passive continental-margin TSE. The upper succession is composed of an Ellesmerian orogenic foreland TSE and a syn-epeirogenic TSE. The total discovered oil reserve within the Ogilvie Platform is estimated to be 1.757 × 10 6 m 3 (11.05 MMbbl) and the total discovered gas reserve is estimated to be 2.376 × 109 m 3 (83.7 Bcf) in four oil and gas pools. A variety of stratigraphic and structural trap types have been assessed to contain additional conventional hydrocarbon reserves, with a total mean potential of 33.4 × 10 6 m 3 (210.1 MMbbl) of oil and 33.4 × 10 9 m 3 (2.63 Tcf) of gas. The organic-rich shale and siltstone-dominated petroleum source-rock units, such as within the Road River Group, the Canol and Ford Lake formations, and organic-rich strata within the Hart River and Blackie formations, are also prospective for large reserves of unconventional oil and gas, and have yet to be formally assessed.

Understanding the role of induced mixing for management of nuisance algal blooms in an urbanized reservoir

Mixed layer dynamics were studied during June to August in 2008 to 2012 in Ford Lake, Michigan, using real-time data acquisition from in situ water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll sensors plus a shore-side weather station. The purpose of the study was to examine the effectiveness of managed hypolimnetic discharge for inducing vertical mixing, preventing hypolimnetic anoxia, and reducing the incidences of cyanobacterial blooms. Maximum mixed layer thickness each day was deduced from vertical density profiles measured at 30-minute intervals plus estimated kinetic energy supplied by wind stress and convection. Surface heat flux and resulting convection was more important to mixing dynamics than was wind stress. Selective withdrawal of hypolimnetic water was practiced in 2008 to 2011 and resulted in enhanced vertical mixing, hypolimnetic oxygenation, and absence of nuisance cyanobacterial blooms. In 2012, drought conditions restricted upstream water availability to such an extent that selective hypolimnetic withdrawal could not be used that year. The result was more than a month-long period of stable thermal stratification during which hypolimnetic oxygen concentrations became depleted and phosphate was released from anoxic sediments. A subsequent cold weather event induced temporary destratification, and a bloom of Aphanizomenon quickly ensued, despite reduced external loading of P from the influent river. Results of this study point to mixing dynamics and internal nutrient loading as the master variables responsible for nuisance algal blooms in this system.

Dynamics of Aphanizomenon and Microcystis (cyanobacteria) during experimental manipulation of an urban impoundment

Ford Lake in southeastern Michigan has a history of midsummer cyanobacterial blooms marked by a regular succession from heterocystous Aphanizomenon flos-aquae to nonheterocystous Microcystis aeruginosa. Nitrogen (N)-fixing Aphanizomenon has an advantage following seasonal thermal stratification because nitrate is consumed by assimilative uptake in the epilimnion and by anaerobic respiration in the anoxic hypolimnion. If nitrate levels increase, however, Microcystis succeeds Aphanizomenon. Bioassays corroborated the importance of nitrate to Microcystis success in late summer. Experimental releases of hypolimnetic water from the hydroelectric outlet dam before anoxia developed in 2006 destabilized the water column without altering lake volume and promoted a diatom bloom rather than cyanobacteria. To establish that the experimental manipulation was reproducible, we followed 2006 with a control year and then a second experimental year. In 2007, experimental manipulation was not performed, water was withdrawn from the epilimnion alone, and the lake reverted to historical dominance by first Aphanizomenon and then Microcystis. In 2008 we again commenced hypolimnetic discharge at onset of thermal stratification, and a sequence of diatom blooms resulted, demonstrating that community transformation first produced in 2006 was reproducible. The algal community again became transformed from cyanobacteria to diatoms, but overall biomass did not change. Bioassays demonstrated that Aphanizomenon became P limited during diatom dominance. Cyanobacterial blooms were postponed until after termination of the whole lake experiment and subsequent diatom decline.

Diatom response to the whole lake manipulation of a eutrophic urban impoundment

Diatoms typically dominate during April and May in Ford Lake, a eutrophic urban impoundment in southeastern Michigan, USA, whereas cyanobacteria dominate during summer. To alter this, whole lake experiments were conducted during 2006 and 2008 in alternation with control years 2005 and 2007. In experimental years, water was withdrawn from the hypolimnion during summer to destabilize the stratified water column, promote deeper mixing, and reduce anoxia. In 2006, withdrawals occurred over a 6-week period with three discrete intervals, releasing 3 × 105 m3 d−1 for the first and third intervals, and 1.5 × 105 m3 d−1 for the second. In 2008, withdrawal occurred continuously for 6 weeks at a rate of 3 × 105 m3 d−1. In control years, water was released only from the epilimnion. Nuisance cyanobacteria replaced diatoms in control years when the lake became thermally stratified. Diatom response to experimentally induced mixing was examined with focus on 2008 as a model for future management. Selective withdrawal of hypolimnetic water destabilized the water column and promoted diatom summer blooms. Diatom success was greatest in 2008, with abundance reaching 10 mm3 L−1 and persisting through spring and summer. Dominance peaks of diatoms were punctuated when Daphnia populations approached or exceeded 3 × 105 individuals m−2.

Nuisance cyanobacteria in an urbanized impoundment: interacting internal phosphorus loading, nitrogen metabolism, and polymixis

Severe nuisance blooms of cyanobacteria, mainly Aphanizomenon and Microcystis, historically have plagued polymictic Ford Lake, one of the most productive warm-water sport fishing lakes in Michigan, U.S.A. Biomass development in the lake is known to be limited by phosphorus. Alternative theories ascribed nuisance conditions either to allochthonous inputs or to internal loading of phosphorus from anoxic sediments. From 2003 to 2009, there was a strong linear relationship between allochthonous total phosphorus income and phosphorus retained within the basin. The relationship had a negative intercept, implying negative retention, or positive export, of phosphorus from the lake from May to September. Mass balance calculations at lake inlet and outlet were consistent with rates of sedimentary phosphorus accumulation measured from sediment cores. Release rates of soluble reactive phosphorus from anoxic sediments were half that of allochthonous inputs. However, severe declines in nitrogen to phosphorus ratio developed in the anoxic, nitrate-poor hypolimnion because accumulation of ammonium was only tenfold that of phosphate. The result was a steep decline in ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus during July and August throughout the lake after episodic mixing events, followed by and coinciding with development of heterocystous Aphanizomenon populations. Lake sediment composition determined by X-ray fluorescence in addition to results of sediment core experiments indicates that phosphorus release is governed by an iron trap mechanism such that phosphate and iron are released only when both oxygen and nitrate are depleted.

Whole lake selective withdrawal experiment to control harmful cyanobacteria in an urban impoundment

Different environmental conditions support optimal growth by Aphanizomenon and Microcystis in Ford Lake, Michigan, USA, based on weekly species biovolume and water chemistry measurements from June through October 2005–2007. Experimental withdrawal of hypolimnetic water through the outlet dam was conducted in 2006, with 2005 and 2007 acting as control years, to test theory regarding management of nuisance and toxic cyanobacteria. The dynamics of Aphanizomenon and Microcystis blooms in Ford Lake appear to be driven largely by NO 3 − concentrations, with higher levels shifting the advantage to Microcystis ( P < 0.0001). Aphanizomenon was most successful with a mean TN:TP ratio (mol:mol) of 48.3:1, whereas Microcystis thrived with a mean ratio of 70.1:1. Withdrawal of hypolimnetic water successfully destabilized the water column and led to higher levels of NO 3 − and the near elimination of the Aphanizomenon bloom in 2006 ( P < 0.0001). Selective withdrawal did not reduce Microcystis biovolume or microcystin toxicity. Microcystis biovolume and NO 3 − levels were positively correlated with microcystin toxin ( P = 0.01) and jointly accounted for 30.5% of the variability in the data. Selective withdrawal may be a viable management option for improving water quality under certain circumstances. To fully address the problem of nuisance and toxic algal blooms in Ford Lake, however, an integrated approach is required that targets cyanobacteria biovolume dynamics as well as conditions suited for toxin production.

Role of hydrology in development of a vernal clear water phase in an urban impoundment

Summary1. Grazer control of phytoplankton and water transparency was responsive to interannual variations in river discharge and corresponding water retention time in Ford Lake, Michigan, U.S.A.2. A simple mathematical model was developed to separate the effects of washout from in situ zooplankton population dynamics. The threshold reservoir flushing time for development of a large Daphnia population and corresponding clear water phase during May was about 20 days. Predation by Leptodora was insufficient to cause the subsequent decline of the Daphnia population.3. Recruitment success by the zebra mussel Dreissena polymorpha appeared responsive to flushing time indirectly, through hydrological effects on the magnitude of the spring diatom crop.

Interannual variation in diatom bloom dynamics: Roles of hydrology, nutrient limitation, sinking, and whole lake manipulation

Spring development of diatoms in Ford Lake, Michigan, USA was markedly different in 2004 from 2005 and 2006. In 2004, diatom biovolume surpassed 15 mm 3 l −1 but in 2005 and 2006 maximum biovolume was less than 5 mm 3 l −1. Soluble reactive silica (SRSi) in 2004 fell below 5 μM whereas in 2005 and 2006, SRSi remained above 30 μM. Taxonomic composition was similar among years and consisted mainly of Asterionella, Cyclotella, Fragilaria, Aulacoseira, and Synedra. Bioassay experiments in 2005 demonstrated that P rather than Si was the element most limiting biomass development. However, P supply rate did not account for the differences among years. Model simulations of Si uptake, washout rates, and sinking implicated hydrologic differences among years as the cause of differential success by diatom populations in April of each year. Bioassay experiments performed after overturn demonstrated that diatoms could grow well in unamended lake water, but they did not flourish in the lake; model simulations implicated sinking losses as the reason. In summer 2006, we performed a selective withdrawal of hypolimnetic water from the outlet dam and weakened density stratification. An Aulacoseira bloom resulted in early to mid-August, depleting SRSi to less than 30 μM. The lake, which had been acting as a P source, changed to a P sink during the bloom, and cyanobacteria did not develop as they had in all previous years. Stoichiometric calculations indicate that the net SRSi uptake and the net DP uptake during the induced bloom were consistent with diatom production.

Copper Complexation and Toxicity to Phytoplankton in the Huron River, a Lake Erie Tributary

The effect of speciation on the toxicity of copper to phytoplankton in the Huron River watershed was assessed by changing the copper complexation capacity in water samples and measuring the levels of chlorophyll a. Differences in strength of conditional stability constants (log K′) of coppercomplexes found in these samples (Ford Lake: 8.8 ± 0.3, Huron River: 10.3 ± 0.4) suggested that coppercomplexing ligands in Ford Lake were mainly derived from humic material, whereas in the lotic environment, they might have been biologically produced. Appearance of the voltammograms obtained for water samples from each of the environments indicated that different biological components predominated in these two ecosystems. Despite the relatively high copper complexation capacity observed when 51 nM of copper was added to water samples, adverse effects reflected as lowered chlorophyll a levels were observed in the phytoplankton, suggesting some buffering of the electrolabile copper at a critical safe dose.

Diatom succession in an urban reservoir system

A 43 cm by 5 cm diameter sediment core sample was obtained from Ford Lake reservoir in Washtenaw County, Michigan, and sectioned at 1 cm intervals. The purpose of this study was to determine whether diatom communities in this reservoir have undergone quantifiable changes in abundance and composition since its creation. Thirty-one cm of this core appeared to represent material deposited since the creation of the reservoir based on changes in diatom abundance, the physical composition of the sediment and the change in biogenic SiO2 concentration. Fortyseven species of diatoms were identified total concentrations of diatom remains varied from 1×104 g-1 to 1×107 g-1. Prior to the establishment of the reservoir, the diatom flora was dominated by benthic taxa. Benthic diatoms were numerous throughout the entire core, but eutrophic taxa (e.g., Aulacoseira italica, Aulacoseira granulata, Stephanodiscus niagarae, Fragilaria crotonensis) dominated much of the core after the reservoir's creation. Total diatom density increased about tenfold in the about the first 10–15 years after the reservoir's creation before declining markedly.

Paleoproterozoic tectonic assembly of Northeast Laurentia through multiple indentations

Recent detailed geological mapping and UPb geochronological studies in the Torngat, Ungava and Baffin orogens of Northeast Laurentia have provided new information regarding the tectonic assembly of this region between ∼1.92 and 1.74 Ga. In contrast with an earlier hypothesis whereby the geometry of Archean continental fragments was thought to have resulted entirely from northerly indentation of the Superior Province and consequent extrusion tectonics, interpretation of recently acquired data shows that Superior Province indentation was the last of multiple collisional events during the formation of Northeast Laurentia. In the present model, we propose that Southeast Rae and North Rae provinces were separate prior to ∼1.92 Ga, when regional tectonism changed from extension to contraction. Westerly subduction and westward translation of the Archean Disko terrane and Nain Province between the North Rae and Southeast Rae provinces resulted in the development of a continental magmatic arc in the Cumberland batholithic complex and in the Torngat orogen, and deposition of the upper sequences of the Penrhyn-Piling-Karrat sequences in the Foxe and Rinkian belts of the Baffin orogen (1880–1895 Ma). Continental collision between the Disko terrane and North Rae Province produced shortening across the Rinkian and Foxe belts at, or before, 1876 Ma. Meanwhile, early arc magmatism in the Ungava orogen (1861–1898 Ma) accompanied foredeep or transtensional basin formation in the New Quebec orogen (∼1870–1883 Ma) and the onset of deformation in the southeastern Nagssugtoqidian orogen (∼1883 Ma). Nain-Southeast Rae provinces collision at ∼1860 Ma across the Torngat orogen caused renewed granitic magmatism and metamorphism in the Cumberland batholithic complex between 1857 and 1853 Ma. Initiation of felsic volcanism in the Makkovik-Ketilidian orogen at this time indicates a shift in the locus of plate subduction from the Southeast Rae Province to the southern margin of the Nain Province. In the Ungava orogen, northerly subduction changed to southerly subduction resulting in the generation of a second arc suite at between 1844 and 1826 Ma. Formation of the de Pas batholith in the hinterland of the New Quebec orogen at ∼1840 Ma accompanied arc-continent and Superior-Southeast Rae collision from 1845 to 1829 Ma. At this time, accretion of arc material in the Makkovik-Ketilidian orogen was contemporaneous with high-grade sinistral shearing along the reactivated Torngat orogen and the northwestern Nagssugtoqidian orogen. Southeast-directed thrusting along the southeastern margin of the Cumberland batholithic complex, and reactivation of the Rinkian belt is predicted to have also occurred at this time. At ⩽1826 Ma, the onset of arc-continent collision across the Ungava orogen initiated closure of the North Rae-Southeast Rae provinces juncture and generation of the Ford Lake plutonic suite. Subsequent Superior-Southeast Rae continental collision (∼1810 Ma) resulted in dextral “escape tectonics” in the Foxe and Rinkian belts, and thick-skinned folding of basement and cover sequences in the Ungava orogen. High-grade metamorphism and granitoid magmatism in the Makkovik-Ketilidian orogen also occurred. Reactivation of the Nain-Southeast Rae (east-directed thrusting) and Superior-Southeast Rae (west-directed thrusting) margins at ∼1790 Ma resulted in “pop-up” of the Southeast Rae Province between its more rigid neighbors. Final cooling and the emplacement of post-tectonic granitoid rocks took place at ∼ 1740–1790 Ma.

Sedimentology and Tectonics of Devonian Nation River Formation, Alaska, Part of Yet Another Allochthonous Terrane: ABSTRACT

Sandwiched between terra incognito of the Yukon Flats, Alaska, and the disrupted cratonal sequences of Yukon Territory, Canada, is a complex array of Proterozoic and Phanerozoic rock units composing a poorly defined group of tectonostratigraphic terranes. The Nation River formation (NRF) is a conspicuous siliciclastic submarine fan complex interbedded in a Paleozoic sequence characterized by deep-water cherts, siliceous shales, and platform to basin-plain carbonates. The NRF ranges from 500 to 2000 m thick. Where the basal part is exposed, NRF overlies the Devonian McCann Hill Chert, a deep-water radiolarian chert sequence. Above the NRF is either another radiolarian chert sequence, the Mississippian Ford Lake Shale, or Permian shallow-water Tahkandit Limestone or Step Conglomerate. NRF lithologies include fine-grained to pebbly turbidites assembled in both thinning- and fining-upward and thickening- and coarsening-upward cycles typical of middle to outer fan settings. Compositionally the grains are principally chert (green, gray, white, black, and rarely red) with minor amounts of vein quartz and quartz sandstone. Most of the chert seems to be replacement chert from a carbonate terrane, though some pebbles yield an Ordovician radiolarian assemblage. Paleocurrent flow directions based on thousands of bottom features (flutes, prods, and grooves) indicate, in present-day coordinates, flow towardmore » the east. Individual azimuth directions are throughout the two easterly quadrants, by 60% of these data indicate flow between 045 and 150/sup 0/. This spread of data is consistent from outcrop to outcrop, indicating that there are no localized block rotations. Easterly flow has also been determined for the overlying Cretaceous units of the Kandik basin (Biederman Argillite and Kathul Graywacke).« less

A DYNAMIC BACTERIAL MODEL FOR A RECREATIONAL LAKE1

ABSTRACT A dynamic mathematical model was constructed to examine bacterial contamination problems affecting Ford Lake, a small recreational lake in Southeast Michigan. The model was calibrated and verified using summer dry weather averaged data and data from three wet weather surveys. Model simulations demonstrated that the major bacterial contamination was attributable to storm related perturbations affecting two point sources: the Huron River and the Ypsilanti Sewage Treatment Plant. The nonpoint source contribution was relatively minor. The Model is currently being used by the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a management tool for assessing the effectiveness of planned pollution abatement strategies

Fecal coliform disappearance in a river impoundment

Fecal coliform (FC) disappearance studies were conducted in Ford Lake during the summer of 1979. Ford Lake, an artificial impoundment at the lower end of the Huron River drainage basin below Ypsilanti, Michigan, receives all upstream flow (2072 km 2 of drainage). During dry weather an overall daytime FC disappearance rate of 0.4 (h −1) ( K base e) was measured using dye tracer for timed collection. assuming a first order equation of the Chick type. Sedimentation was demonstrated as important in the overall FC disappearance in the upper end of the lake. Rooftop studies showed light level to affect daytime disappearance. Two types of wet weather conditions were documented: (1) where a substantial increase in flow occurred due to an isolated upriver storm; and (2) as a result of two different storm events in the Ford Lake area itself. In both cases, Ford Lake was effective in substantially reducing the large FC contribution.

Real Time Simulation of Conductivity in River-Lake Systems

Conductivity is modeled in real time in a natural water system using the finite section method. Dispersion coefficients are estimated using methods available in the literature. Calibration is performed together with sensitivity analyses. Small scale effects are defined by a dye study. The resultant model is eventually used in the construction of system models describing the transport and fate of various pollutants in the Ford Lake - Melleville Lake (Mich.) System.

Modeling Suspended Solids and Bacteria in Ford Lake

A submodel for computing the behavior of suspended solids and associated pollutants in turbulent, open channels was constructed and tested in a natural water system. The submodel equation was the two-dimensional equation for suspended particles in a turbulent flowing medium. A procedure was developed to determine particle fall velocity distributions and a bottom boundary condition calibrated to three sets of flume data. A numerical solution was obtained and expressed in graphical form as a function of particle fall velocity, channel shear velocity, and channel depth. The submodel was successfully tested in the Ford Lake, Michigan, system with fecal coliform bacteria as the associated pollutant.

Semiannual Estimates of Natural Mortality of Hatchery Brook Trout in Lakes

Abstract Mark-and-recapture estimates of the number of hatchery-reared brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) have been made each April and October since October 1956 in Ford Lake (10 acres) and Hemlock Lake (6 acres), at the Pigeon River Trout Research Station, Vanderbilt, Michigan. Fish were captured by angling, by trapping with wire traps, and by shocking with direct current at night with underwater lights. A permit-type creel census insured a nearly complete record of the catch. Instantaneous mortality rates and conditional mortality rates were calculated for each year class. The largest natural loss of trout occurred during the first summer after planting. The rate of natural mortality during summer decreased with a decrease in the number of trout present each spring. Overwinter loss was negligible. The causes of the mortality are unknown.

Recovery of Marked Fish following a Second Poisoning of the Population in Ford Lake, Michigan

In 1936, a 10.7-acre lake in Otsego County, Michigan, was treated with rotenone to eliminate a population of stunted yellow perch. An attempt to recover the entire population yielded 4,817 stunted perch, 27 trout in poor condition, and four species of minnows. The weight of what was assumed to be the total population was 516 pounds or slightly more than 50 pounds per acre. In 1937, an experimental planting of Montana grayling was made which was not successful owing to unauthorized introduction of bluegills about the same time. In 1941, 5,000 fingerling brook trout were stocked, but proved unable to compete with the rapidly increasing bluegill population and disappeared 4 years later. In 1943, walleyes were introduced in the hope of reducing the bluegill population to a point where survivors could make satisfactory growth. In 1946, when rotenone reappeared on the civilian market, the lake was treated with poison again, and an attempt made to recover the entire population. The total weight of fish recovered was 1,293 pounds, or 111.5 pounds per acre, more than twice the poundage found in 1936; the difference perhaps can be explained by bluegills being closer to the primary food chain than yellow perch. Of greater interest were the findings on completeness of recovery. Four and 3 days, respectively, prior to poisoning, 246 bluegills and 210 brook trout were fin-clipped and planted. Only 58.9 percent of the marked bluegills and 44.7 percent of the marked trout were recovered despite careful search. Considerable doubt is thereby cast on the prevalent practice of assuming practically complete recovery of fish populations following rotenone treatment, and figures on total fish production derived by this method.

Further Observations on the Feeding Habits of the Montana Grayling (Thymallus Montanus) and the Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) in Ford Lake, Michigan

Further Observations on the Feeding Habits of the Montana Grayling (Thymallus Montanus) and the Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) in Ford Lake, Michigan

Further Observations on the Feeding Habits of the Montana Grayling (Thymallus Montanus) and the Bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus) in Ford Lake, Michigan

The feeding habits of a small population of Montana grayling in a small landlocked lake in northern Michigan are described in detail on the basis of stomach analyses of specimens taken in April, May, July and October, 1938, and March, 1939. The progress of the experiment based on these grayling was complicated by the unauthorized stocking of bluegills in the lake which, prior to the planting of the grayling, had been freed of all fish by treatment with rotenone. As was noted in an earlier report on this experiment, immature and adult stages of certain predaceous aquatic insects, notably Odonata and Coleoptera, occupied a most important place in the diet of the grayling. An interesting result of the presence of bluegills in the lake was the fact that by the time the grayling had attained an average standard length of 246.5 millimeters they began to prey upon small bluegill fingerlings. Data are presented to show that all but fingerling bluegills are direct food competitors of the grayling. Observations indicate that the effects of this competition are already resulting in a reduction of the grayling population. It is suggested as probable that the non-reproducing grayling will be unable to maintain satisfactory growth and viability in the face of continued competition from the prolific bluegills.