Clearwater Lake AssociationDeerwood MN

  • Home
    • What's New on the Web Page
  • Lake Association
    • Overview >
      • Clearwater Lake Association
      • Mission Statement
      • The Legal Paperwork
    • Meetings
    • Membership Communication
    • Membership Dues
    • Meet the Board
    • Recent and Upcoming Events
    • Crayfish Campaign >
      • Trapping
      • Storing
      • Cooking
      • Eating
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Lake Wear
  • Lake Health
    • Overview >
      • Lake Health Overview
      • Lake Managment Plan
      • What Can I Do
      • 2018 Aquatic Vegetation Survey
      • DNR and Milfoil Treatment
    • Reports and Maps >
      • Lake Reports
      • Lake Maps
      • Aquatic Management Area
    • Trophic State Index
    • High Water >
      • Why are We High
      • HIgh Water Report >
        • Past HIgh Water Updates
      • High Water Damage
      • Ice Heaves
    • Invasive Species >
      • What are Invasive Species
      • Eurasian MilFoil
      • Curly-Leaf Pondweed
      • Rusty Crayfish
      • Buckthorn
      • Treatment Plans >
        • Invasive Maps
        • 2017 Letter CMNA
    • Community Mini-Grant >
      • Lake shore Mini Grant
      • Seminar Flier
      • News Release
      • Grant Gallery
      • Willow Wattle - DIY >
        • Willow Wattle Supplies
        • Willow Wattle Prep
        • Willow Wattle Install
    • Clearwater Loons >
      • Loon History
      • Why Clearwater Loons Are Important
      • Loon Management
      • Loon Data
      • Loon Cam 2017
    • Historical Data
    • DNR and Other Resources
  • Community
    • Membership List
    • Photo Gallery
    • Clearwater Forsest Camp
    • Updated Boat Launch
    • Log In Information
  • Contact Us
  • Home
    • What's New on the Web Page
  • Lake Association
    • Overview >
      • Clearwater Lake Association
      • Mission Statement
      • The Legal Paperwork
    • Meetings
    • Membership Communication
    • Membership Dues
    • Meet the Board
    • Recent and Upcoming Events
    • Crayfish Campaign >
      • Trapping
      • Storing
      • Cooking
      • Eating
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Lake Wear
  • Lake Health
    • Overview >
      • Lake Health Overview
      • Lake Managment Plan
      • What Can I Do
      • 2018 Aquatic Vegetation Survey
      • DNR and Milfoil Treatment
    • Reports and Maps >
      • Lake Reports
      • Lake Maps
      • Aquatic Management Area
    • Trophic State Index
    • High Water >
      • Why are We High
      • HIgh Water Report >
        • Past HIgh Water Updates
      • High Water Damage
      • Ice Heaves
    • Invasive Species >
      • What are Invasive Species
      • Eurasian MilFoil
      • Curly-Leaf Pondweed
      • Rusty Crayfish
      • Buckthorn
      • Treatment Plans >
        • Invasive Maps
        • 2017 Letter CMNA
    • Community Mini-Grant >
      • Lake shore Mini Grant
      • Seminar Flier
      • News Release
      • Grant Gallery
      • Willow Wattle - DIY >
        • Willow Wattle Supplies
        • Willow Wattle Prep
        • Willow Wattle Install
    • Clearwater Loons >
      • Loon History
      • Why Clearwater Loons Are Important
      • Loon Management
      • Loon Data
      • Loon Cam 2017
    • Historical Data
    • DNR and Other Resources
  • Community
    • Membership List
    • Photo Gallery
    • Clearwater Forsest Camp
    • Updated Boat Launch
    • Log In Information
  • Contact Us

Trophic State Index (TSI)

  • Lake Health
    Overview
  • Reports and Maps
  • Trophic State Index
    Lake Health Standard
  • High Water
    Find out the causes and  what we are doing about it.
  • Invasive Species
    Clearwater has 4 invasive species.
  • Lake shore Run off Mini Grant 
  • Our Loons
  • Historical Data
    See what people have been tracking!
  • DNR / Other Resources
    There is all kinds of GREAT information out there. 

Trophic State Index (TSI)

There are 3 measurements that are tracked regarding lake health; phosphorus (nutrients), chlorophyll A (algae concentration) and Secchi depth (transparency).  They are related to each other.  As phosphorus increases, there is more food available for algae, resulting in increased algal concentrations. When algal concentrations increase, the water becomes less transparent and the Secchi depth decreases.  The results from these three measurements cover different units and ranges and thus cannot be directly compared to each other or averaged. In order to standardize these three measurements, we convert them to a trophic state index (TSI).

The mean TSI for Clearwater Lake falls in the mesotrophic range. Mesotrophic lakes (TSI 40 ‐ 50) are characterized by moderately clear water most of the summer. "Meso" means middle or mid; therefore, mesotrophic means a medium amount of productivity. Mesotrophic lakes are commonly found in central Minnesota and have clear water with algal blooms in late summer.

Phosphorus

Clearwater Lake is phosphorus limited, which means that algae and aquatic plant growth is dependent upon available phosphorus.  Total phosphorus was evaluated in Clearwater Lake in 2007 ‐ 2008.  The data does not indicate much seasonal variability. The majority of the data points fall into the mesotrophic range.

Chlorophyll A

Chlorophyll A is the pigment that makes plants and algae green.   Chlorophyll a is tested in lakes to determine the algae  concentration or how "green" the water is. Chlorophyll a was evaluated in Clearwater Lake in 2007 ‐ 2008.  Chlorophyll a concentrations for all dates except one remained below 10 ug/L, indicating clear water most of the summer.

Transparency (Secchi Depth)

PictureClick to Enlarge
Transparency is how easily light can pass through a substance.  In lakes, it is how deep sunlight penetrates through the water.  Plants and algae need sunlight to grow, so they are only able to grow in areas of lakes where the sun penetrates.  Water transparency depends on the amount of particles in the water.  An  increase in particulates results in a decrease in transparency.  The mean transparency for Clearwater Lake ranges from  10.2 to 15.4 feet.  Overall, Clearwater Lake shows no detectable trend in transparency, meaning that transparency is stable

Turn In Poachers

Picture

Clearwater Forest Camp

Since 1954, Clearwater Forest has served as a retreat center and summer camp.  They are owned and managed by Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, Inc.  Clearwater Forest is an important resident on our lake.  With 4+ miles of lake shore and over 1000 acres around  Clearwater, everyone benefits from their mission statement "... be a faithful steward of God’s creation."

To lean more, go to clearwaterforest.org.