Landscape Position Project at North Temperate Lakes LTER: Lake Characteristics 1998 - 2000

Parameters characterizing the chemical limnology and spatial attributes of 47 lakes were surveyed as part of the Landscape Position Project. Lake characteristics compiled here include lake area and perimeter, catchment area, mean and maximum depth, shoreline development factor, elevation and percent wetlands within catchment area. Lake order was determined using a modification of the method of Riera et al. (2000). Lake order is a numerical surrogate for groundwater influx and hydrological position along a drainage network, with the highest number indicating the lake lowest in a watershed. Lake order for each lake was determined by field visit with presence/absence of streams confirmed, not base solely on topographic maps. Riera, Joan L., John J. Magnuson, Tim K. Kratz, and Katherine E. Webster. 2000. A geomorphic template for the analysis of lake districts applied to Northern Highland Lake District, Wisconsin, U.S.A. Freshwater Biology 43:301-18. Number of sites: 49