Natural lake level fluctuation and associated concordance with water quality and aquatic communities within small lakes of the Laurentian Great Lakes region

Long-term (~20 year) data on water level, water quality and aquatic biota from four remote research areas in the Laurentian Great Lakes region were compiled to reveal patterns of natural water-level fluctuation (WLF) and associated effects on water quality and aquatic communities. Of the 16 natural lakes (no dam impoundment and lowest possible anthropogenic disturbance) yearly amplitude in water level did not exceed 1.27 m ( [graphic removed] = 0.26 ± 0.15 m) and yearly average water levels did not deviate greater than 0.75 m ( [graphic removed] = 0.10 ± 0.11 m) from the long-term mean. Linear and waveform regression analyses revealed a significant (P