Rivers & Streams | Boot Lake Inlet Chemical Monitoring

Monitoring Location	at Highway 22, Linwood Township STORET SiteID = BootLakeInlet
Monitored By	ACD Staff
Years Monitored	2001 and 2003
Background: This stream flows from Rice Lake about 0.4 miles east to Boot Lake. Most of the watershed between these lakes is wetland or in a natural state. However, the watershed for Rice Lake contains a much greater percentage of agricultural land use, particularly sod farms with extensive ditch systems. Boot Lake is a state Scientific and Natural Area, and the lake outlets water which travels to Linwood, Island and Martin Lakes, and eventually the Sunrise and St. Croix Rivers. The stream carries a relatively small volume of water, with typical flows ranging from <1 to 5 cfs.

Results: Water quality of this stream in 2003 was similar to 2001 and is generally good. Conductivity, salinity, and chloride readings are all at or below the county median and ecoregion mean, suggesting little pollution from road runoff, failing septics, or industrial chemicals. Phosphorus levels are also at acceptable levels. However, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels sometimes drop below levels acceptable to some fishes and other aquatic organisms. This is probably due to the low flows and relatively stagnant wetland headwaters where oxygen demand for decomposition is high and inputs are few. The low DO is considered natural.