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Water Quality Improvement Projects (TMDLs) > WRIA 57 > Newman Lake Area Total Phosphorus Project   Water Quality Improvement Project Newman Lake Area: Total Phosphorus Introduction Newman Lake is located in Spokane County, Washington, 26 kilometers northeast of the city of Spokane. It is approximately nine meters deep and contains about 26 million cubic meters of water. The lake is fed primarily by Thompson Creek. The main land use around Newman Lake is forestry, but also pastureland and residential housing. Residential use is generally highest during the summer months.  (See TMDL boundary map) Water quality issues Water quality studies of Newman Lake show that the high availability of the nutrient phosphorus has lead to increased algae growth during the summer months. The algae growth has, in turn, lead to reduced water clarity and decreased available oxygen in the deeper portions of the lake during the summer. These changes result in impacts to the majority of aquatic resources that were adapted to a lower phosphorus condition. Other studies determined that there are two sources for phosphorus to Newman Lake: that within the bottom sediments (internal), and phosphorus brought to the lake, for example from surface water runoff (external).     © Candy Redl. Why this matters Excessive nutrient inputs to lakes provide aquatic plant and algae dominance, making lakes unsuitable for recreation or viewing enjoyment.  Phosphorus is one of the nutrients.  When it is discharged into a waterbody, like a lake, it fuels the growth of algae. Excessive algae growth reduces water clarity, increases oxygen demand in the bottom sediments severely impacting coldwater aquatic habitat, and can, depending on the dominant algae present, pose a human health risk. Status of the project Ecology submitted the water quality improvement report (WQIR, also known as a total maximum daily load, or TMDL) to EPA in December 2007. EPA approved it in February 2008. A TMDL advisory committee was formed to provide input on necessary actions to meet the TMDL requirements.  The resulting draft Newman Lake TMDL Water Quality Implementation Plan (WQIP) underwent a public review and comment period.  The finalized WQIP was sent to EPA in July 2009. Technical information Newman Lake Total Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load: Water Quality Improvement Report (Ecology Publication) Newman Lake Total Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load: Water Quality Implementation Plan (Ecology publication) Related information Watershed Information for WRIA 57 (Environmental Assessment Program web site) Reducing Phosphorus Pollution to Improve Water Quality (Water Quality web site) WRIA 57: Middle Spokane Watershed Information (Environmental Assessment Program web site) www.ecy.wa.gov/apps/watersheds/wriapages/57.html   Back to top of page Last updated May 2012

PROJECT INFO Location: WRIA: #57 (Middle Spokane) County: Spokane Water-body Name: Newman Lake Parameter: Total Phosphorus # of TMDLs: 1 Status: Approved by EPA Has implementation plan Contact Info: David Moore Phone: 509-329-3514 Email: David.Moore@ecy.wa.gov Eastern Region Department of Ecology N. 4601 Monroe Spokane, WA 99205-1295 Tony Whiley Phone: 360-407-7241 Email: Tony.Whiley@ecy.wa.gov Watershed Management Section Department of Ecology P.O. Box 47600 Olympia, WA 98504 -7600

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Ecology home > Water Quality > TMDLs > TMDL Activity by County and WRIA - WRIA 57 > Newman Lake Total Phosphorus TMDL

Newman Lake Total Phosphorus TMDL
Water Quality Improvement Project

Introduction

Newman Lake is located in Spokane County, Washington, 26 kilometers northeast of the city of Spokane. It is approximately nine meters deep and contains about 26 million cubic meters of water. The lake is fed primarily by Thompson Creek.

The main land use around Newman Lake is forestry, but also pastureland and residential housing. Residential use is generally highest during the summer months.

Water quality issues

Water quality studies of Newman Lake show that the high availability of the nutrient phosphorus has lead to increased algae growth during the summer months. The algae growth has, in turn, lead to reduced water clarity and decreased available oxygen in the deeper portions of the lake during the summer. These changes result in impacts to the majority of aquatic resources that were adapted to a lower phosphorus condition.

Other studies determined that there are two sources for phosphorus to Newman Lake: that within the bottom sediments (internal), and phosphorus brought to the lake, for example from surface water runoff (external).

What is being done

As part of the water quality improvement report (WQIR) a total maximum daily load (TMDL) study was performed on Newman Lake. The TMDL addressed impairment of Newman Lake’s characteristic uses and aesthetic qualities caused by phosphorus. It examined and quantified the pathways that bring phosphorus to the water column of Newman Lake. As a result of the study, the WQIR established limits for external phosphorus sources. The underlying strategy is that algae growth can be controlled by limiting the introduction of phosphorus to Newman Lake from the various external sources identified, along with management controls already in place to control phosphorus recycling within the lake.

Status of the project

Ecology submitted the WQIR to EPA on December 19, 2007. EPA approved the WQIR on February 27, 2008.

The Newman Lake TMDL Water Quality Implementation Plan is currently under development and scheduled to be complete by September 2009. An TMDL advisory committee has been formed and is providing input on necessary actions to meet the TMDL.  The public comment period for the draft WQIP ended on June 22, 2009.  The finalized WQIP will be sent to EPA in July 2009.

Technical information

Newman Lake Total Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load: Water Quality Improvement Report (Ecology Publication)

Newman Lake Total Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load: Water Quality Implementation Plan (Ecology publication)

Related information

Watershed Information for WRIA 57 (Environmental Assessment Program website)

Reducing Phosphorus Pollution to Improve Water Quality (Water Quality website)

For more information

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