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A total of 2,740 lakes are represented by the NLA in the Northern Plains ecoregion. Of these lakes, 54% are natural and 46% are man-made.

Trophic State and Key Stressors: The NLA uses trophic state as an important indicator of lake condition and assesses the extent of key stressors in the nation’s lakes.

• In the Northern Plains, 29% of lakes are rated as most disturbed based on trophic state, 43% are eutrophic, 12% are mesotrophic, and 16% are oligotrophic.
• The most widespread stressors assessed in the Northern Plains are phosphorus (80% of lakes), nitrogen (70%), and lakeshore disturbance (69%).

• Trophic State

  

• Indicator with the Highest Percentage of Lakes in the Most Disturbed Condition: Phosphorus

  

Human Use Condition:  Cyanobacteria  is one of three algal toxin related indicators assessed in the NLA (see also chlorophyll a and microcystins).  It serves as a proxy for the presence of algal toxins.  

Lake sampling in North Dakota for the NLA 2012. Photo: Aaron Larsen, NDDOH.

• Based on cyanobacteria cell counts, 33% of lakes in the Northern Plains are in the most disturbed condition (i.e., pose a high risk of exposure to algal toxins). 

Change from 2007 (for lakes >4 hectares)*:

• For the Northern Plains, the NLA reports a 43% decrease in the proportion of lakes in most disturbed condition between 2007 and 2012 based on the condition of benthic macroinvertebrates.
• The proportion of lakes in most disturbed condition increased by 22% based on the cyanobacteria risk index.
• There was also a decrease of 21% in the proportion of lakes in the most disturbed condition based on the lake drawdown exposure indicator.

• Percentage of Lakes in Most Disturbed Condition for all Indicators: Northern Plains

  

To access more indicator graphics please visit the interactive NLA Dashboard.

* The change analysis is based on information from two points in time – 2007 and 2012.  The change in condition analysis only considers lakes 4 hectares and larger because smaller lakes were not sampled in 2007.