Chlorophyll a Concentration and Distribution in Twin Lakes, Colorado Prior to Operation of Mt. Elbert Pumped-Storage Powerplant, 1977-81

摘要

A series of studies is being performed to identify changes in the limnology of Twin Lakes, Colorado, resulting from the operation of the Mt. Elbert Pumped-Storage Powerplant. This report presents preoperation chlorophyll concentrations in Twin Lakes from 1977 through 1981. Twin Lakes are a pair of oligotrophic, dimictic, and cool, high-mountain lakes. The lakes are thermally stratified between spring and fall turnover periods. They are ice-covered in winter and are poor in phosphorus and nitrogen nutrients. Some type of standing-crop, or primary-production estimate is necessary in any ecological evaluation because it represents the size of the food-chain base. The assessment of chlorophyll a concentration is the quickest and easiest way to estimate standing crop in a body of water.