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A total of 7,734 lakes in the Southern Plains ecoregion are represented in the NLA. Of these lakes, about 10% are natural and 90% 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 Southern Plains, 45% of lakes are rated as most disturbed based on trophic state, 17% are eutrophic, 36% are mesotrophic, and 2% are oligotrophic.
• The most widespread stressors assessed are nitrogen (61% of lakes), phosphorus (58%), and lake habitat complexity (31%).

• Trophic State

  

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

  

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

NLA 2012 sampling in Blue Lake, Kansas.

• Based on cyanobacteria cell counts, 19% of lakes in the Southern 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 Southern Plains, the NLA reports a 34% increase in the proportion of lakes in most disturbed condition between 2007 and 2012 based on the condition of chlorophyll a risk.

• Percentage of Lakes in Most Disturbed Condition for all Indicators: Southern 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.