Completion Report Jessie Lake Paleolimnology Project

Abstract

Jessie Lake is a high-priority lake in terms of the Itasca County Water Plan, recognized as an important resource for multiple-use recreation and for its walleye (Stizostedium vitreum (Mitchill)) fishery in particular. The Jessie Lake Watershed Association has been particularly active in promoting and participating in research to understand and improve the resource. The major concern in the watershed is increasing nutrient loading, according to recent lakewater phosphorous studies. Internal loading is also implicated in keeping the algal growth in the lake at high levels. We are presently using diatoms for paleolimnological interpretations of past baselines, trends, and magnitudes of change in lakewater phosphorous. Jessie Lake has been eutrophic since before European settlement of the area, though phosphorus concentrations were higher in the middle of the 20th century than they are now.