Alternatives for Reducing the Impacts of Regulated Lake Levels on the AquaticEcosystem of Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

摘要

With the establishment of Voyageurs National Park in 1975, the National ParkService became one of many interest groups concerned with the regulation of Rainy Lake and the Namakan Reservoir lakes, which are a part of the larger Lake of the Woods watershed. Lake levels in these bodies of water are controlled by a single hydropower facility and two small regulatory dams that are located outside Voyageurs' boundary. The research program at Voyageurs consisted of two principal components. The first assessed the effects of the present water management program on the park's aquatic ecosystem. The second developed a hydrological model to assess the effects of alternative regulatory programs on power generation or other public purposes. Research studies were conducted on: (1) aquatic vegetation and benthic organisms; (2) the fish community, particularly walleye, yellow perch, and northern pike; (3) shore and marsh nesting birds, particularly the common loon and red-necked grebe; (4) beaver and muskrat; (5) osprey; (6) river otter; (7) primary production; (8) archeological resources; and (9) the relationship between lake levels and boat docks, navigation, flood control and power production.