Conclusions - Phosphorus Reductions in the James River

CONCLUSIONS

Reductions in phosphorus outputs from Springfield’s Southwest Treatment Plant resulted in significant reductions in phosphorus levels throughout the James River Basin.
Reductions in algal chlorophyll were minor and generally non-significant at the four lake sites.
Increases in Secchi transparency varied, with relatively small increases in clarity at up-lake sites and greater increases in clarity at down-lake sites.
Long-term trends of decreasing phosphorus concentrations are evident in the James River Arm of Table Rock Lake. There does seem to be a decrease in phosphorus in the main lake below the confluence with the James River, but at this time the reduction is not statistically significant due to the modest changes in phosphorus concentrations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Support for monitoring of Table Rock Lake has come from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, U.S. EPA, University of Missouri, The Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program and Bass Pro Shops. Some of the data presented was supplied by the City of Springfield and the United States Geologic Survey. We thank the agency staff, local organizations and citizen volunteers that we have worked with over the last decade.

For more information:

The Journal article documenting the study can be downloaded here (PDF format -358KB)
Changes in the James River Basin, an article in The Water Line, newsletter of the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program.