Water Resources Research Act Program

Details for Project ID 2002SD7B

Survey of the Macrophyte and Invertebrate Communities in Enemy Swim and Pickerel Lakes

Institute: South Dakota
Year Established: 2002 Start Date: 2002-03-01 End Date: 2004-02-28
Total Federal Funds: $7,348 Total Non-Federal Funds: $16,905

Principal Investigators: David German

Project Summary: The purpose of this proposal is to study the macro invertebrate fauna and aquatic macrophyte community in two relatively rare lake habitats in South Dakota. The potential for exotic species such as zebra mussels and Eurasian Water Milfoil to negatively impact the native fauna in these lakes before the natural populations can be documented is a concern. This project will result in a much more detailed description of aquatic plant occurrence and distribution as well as baseline data on benthic macro invertebrates and in Enemy Swim and Pickerel Lakes than is currently available. If invasion by exotic species does occur, data from this study would allow future managers set goals for reestablishing a more natural ecosystem and mitigate the impacts of the exotic species.