Escherichia coli (E. coli) Impairment in Minneopa Creek
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
11-4-2017 10:00 AM
End Date
11-4-2017 11:30 AM
Student's Major
Biological Sciences
Student's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Mentor's Name
Beth Proctor
Mentor's Department
Biological Sciences
Mentor's College
Science, Engineering and Technology
Description
The outlet of Lily Lake (2 inflows) and Lake Crystal (1inflow) form the lower Minneopa Creek that flows from the city of Lake Crystal through Minneopa State Park (Park, 162,000 annual visitors) to the Minnesota River. This portion of Minneopa was listed as impaired waters for Escherichia coli (E. coli) in July 2016. The purpose of this research was to determine E. coli levels at several sites including each lake inflows and outlet, the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and Park. E. coli levels are reported as number of colonies per 100 mL of water. Most sites are class 2 (E. coli standard 126 April 1-Oct 31). The Lily Lake outlet and the WWTP are class 7 (E. coli standard 630 May 1 –Oct 31). On November 8 there were 144 and 20 entering and 20 leaving Lily Lake, 10 entering and 0 leaving Lake Crystal, too numerous to count at the WWTP and 180 at the Park. On November 29 there were 100 and 10 entering and 60 leaving Lily Lake, 150 entering and 5 leaving Lake Crystal, 350 at the WWTP and 120 at the Park. These data suggest that the lakes are acting as a buffer (more E. Coli entering the lakes than leaving them) and the WWTP is a potential source of E. coli at the Park. Note the WWTP is not required to disinfect their effluent in the colder months. More monitoring is needed over the warmer months to determine sources of the E. coli impairment.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) Impairment in Minneopa Creek
CSU Ballroom
The outlet of Lily Lake (2 inflows) and Lake Crystal (1inflow) form the lower Minneopa Creek that flows from the city of Lake Crystal through Minneopa State Park (Park, 162,000 annual visitors) to the Minnesota River. This portion of Minneopa was listed as impaired waters for Escherichia coli (E. coli) in July 2016. The purpose of this research was to determine E. coli levels at several sites including each lake inflows and outlet, the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and Park. E. coli levels are reported as number of colonies per 100 mL of water. Most sites are class 2 (E. coli standard 126 April 1-Oct 31). The Lily Lake outlet and the WWTP are class 7 (E. coli standard 630 May 1 –Oct 31). On November 8 there were 144 and 20 entering and 20 leaving Lily Lake, 10 entering and 0 leaving Lake Crystal, too numerous to count at the WWTP and 180 at the Park. On November 29 there were 100 and 10 entering and 60 leaving Lily Lake, 150 entering and 5 leaving Lake Crystal, 350 at the WWTP and 120 at the Park. These data suggest that the lakes are acting as a buffer (more E. Coli entering the lakes than leaving them) and the WWTP is a potential source of E. coli at the Park. Note the WWTP is not required to disinfect their effluent in the colder months. More monitoring is needed over the warmer months to determine sources of the E. coli impairment.
Recommended Citation
Flynn, Caitlin and Melissa Jones. "Escherichia coli (E. coli) Impairment in Minneopa Creek." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-A/47
