Pigeon Lake Eutrophication

Question 1

Why is it hard for nutrients to leave Pigeon Lake? ie becomes a nutrient sink

Answer 1

The residence time of water in this lake is > 100years. Water mostly leaves via evaporation (slowly), so any nutrients that end up in the lake stay there for a long time

Question 2

watershed=

Answer 2

the area where runoff all goes to one point ( eg a lake)

Question 3

Why was the proposed cattle feedlot near Pigeon lake so problematic?

Answer 3

It was going to be very close to the vulnerable pigeon lake
- manure, feeds, fertilizers, etc from these feedlots runoff into the lake and can cause eutrophication because of all the excess nutrients

Question 4

manure from feedlots contributes to ____ ___, __ and ___ in runoff

Answer 4

organic carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous

Question 5

___ _______ may also enter the water via runoff- these cause harm to fish spawning

Answer 5

cattle pharmaceuticals

Question 6

What are some other impacts on the area that this cattle feedlot may have had?

Answer 6

harm to fishing
decreases nature appreciation
streams contaminated and algae infested
health impacts for visitors and nearby residents
detrimental to existing farm operations