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Limnology of a desertic terminal lake, Walker Lake, Nevada, U.S.A.

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Abstract

Walker Lake, a large terminal lake in west-central Nevada, is rapidly desiccating and becoming more saline. From 1937 to 1977, total dissolved solids increased from 5 650 to 10 650 mg l−1. Ionically, the lake is a chlorocarbonate one; however, as desiccation continues it should eventually have about equal amounts of chloride, sulfate and carbonate. With regard to algal nutrients, the lake appears to be nitrogen limited. The phytoplankton is currently dominated by Nodularia spumigena; at times this produces noxious blooms. The zooplankton community is depauperate and composed of three species. The fish fauna is limited to three endemic fishes, with tui chub, Gila bicolor, dominant. Lahontan cutthroat trout, Salmo clarki henshawi, is restricted during summer to a narrow mid-water zone low enough in temperature and high enough in dissolved oxygen to meet physiological requirements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bioresources Center, Desert Research Institute, P.O. Box 60220, 89506, Reno, NV, U.S.A.

    James J. Cooper

  2. Koch and Associates, 1290 Kuenzli Street, 89502, Reno, NV, U.S.A.

    David L. Koch

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  1. James J. Cooper
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  2. David L. Koch
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Dr. Koch passed away in October 1983.

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Cooper, J.J., Koch, D.L. Limnology of a desertic terminal lake, Walker Lake, Nevada, U.S.A.. Hydrobiologia 118, 275–292 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00046625

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