A limnological study of a southern Oregon Cascade lake: Lake of the Woods

Lake of the Woods is located on the east slope of the Cascade Range, 25 miles north-northwest of Klamath Falls. The area is estimated to support over 130,000 people-days per year. Lake of the Woods is a mesotrophic lake with unusual biological and physical conditions. A study of the lake was begun in 1992 to document existing lake conditions. Research included using in situ instrumentation and grab samples. Anoxic conditions found in the hypolimnion may produce a internal source of nutrients for the lake. Phosphorus concentrations have been very low suggesting that any change in this single nutrient would drastically change the lake. Unique assemblages of phytoplankton and zooplankton have raised questions concerning how lake history and ground water movement have lead to current lake conditions. A trophic state index of 38 has been calculated using chlorophyll concentration, Secchi disk clarity, primary productivity, and algae biomass.