Lakes, Streams, and Wetlands
The first known survey of lakes in Lassen was documented in a report titled “1955 Lake Survey – Lassen Volcanic National Park” (author unknown). Wallis (1959) conducted a fishery resources survey of 22 lakes in 1958 with the purpose of developing a stocking plan for park lakes; the focus was primarily on the distributions of fish species and past stocking activities. Several lake surveys were conducted during the 1960’s and data from these surveys have been summarized in the Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis report described previously (NPS-WRD 1999a). At least 11 lakes were surveyed during this period of time. The objectives of these surveys were to determine the general ecological conditions of the lakes and to develop management and research alternatives for the park’s lentic resources. In 1976, an extensive survey of Lassen lakes was completed (West 1976). A total of 162 lentic systems were surveyed, and of these 131 were sampled. Measurements and assessments included: (1) water temperature; (2) color; (3) clarity; (4) site depth (maximum and mean); (5) site bottom and shore type; (6) watershed condition; (7) site surface area; (8) presence and location of inlets and outlets; (9) fish presence; (10) presence of fish predators; and (11) relative abundance of aquatic invertebrates and vegetation. Additional lake survey activities included the physical and chemical analysis of seven Lassen lakes as part of the EPA’s Western Lake Survey (Landers et al. 1987, Eilers et al. 1987); inventories of aquatic invertebrates (DeMartini, 1994); and amphibian surveys of 378 lentic sites as part of the Amphibian Research and Monitoring Initiative (Fellers et al. 2003). Stead et al. (2005), during the summer of 2004, also investigated the status of native amphibians and nonnative fish in Lassen lentic habitats (i.e., lakes, permanent and temporary ponds, wet meadows, and marsh/bogs; n=365). A new baseline water quality inventory of Lassen aquatic resources will begin in 2005, conducted by personnel of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center in Arcata, California.
Stream (cold and hot) and wetland survey data are available as part of the Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis Report (NPS-WRD 1999a). Three reports document stream survey activities from 1963-1979 (Everest 1964, McClelland 1973, Thompson 1983), and three agencies (i.e., NPS, USGS, and CWRCB) have been responsible for collecting stream survey data from 1979-present. Two wetlands (Corral Meadows and Grassy Swale) were surveyed as part of the Lassen Park Summer 1979 Lake Surveys, and research has been conducted on the Drakesbad fen from 2002-2004 (Patterson and Cooper, in prep). Faculty members of the Department of Civil Engineering and Applied Mechanics, San Jose State University, conducted a sanitary survey of five park watersheds supplying water to campgrounds and park communities. The survey was completed in 1996, and provided data concerning types and sources of potential water source contamination to assist Lassen in complying with the USEPA Surface Water Treatment Rule established in 1989 (Williamson et al. 1997).
Hydrothermal/Geothermal Resources
Geothermal/hydrothermal resources in Lassen are situated primarily in the southwestern (e.g., Sulfur Works, Bumpass Hell, Little Hot Springs Valley) and southern (e.g., Devil’s Kitchen, Drakesbad, Terminal Geyser) parts of the park (Thompson 1983). Waring (1915) reported the results of the first thermal water analyses of Lassen hot springs. Ten years later, Day and Allen (1925) reported the results of the chemical analyses of water from 23 Lassen hot springs. Since these early analyses, at least five surveys of hydrothermal resources have been conducted from 1963 to1981 (e.g., Lenn 1965 = 22 hot springs; Ghiorso 1980 = 34 hydrothermal sites; Thompson 1983 = 43 hydrothermal sites). Data from these surveys have been collected in the Baseline Water Quality Data Inventory and Analysis (NPS-WRD 1999a). Since 1981, the monitoring and chemical analyses of Lassen hydrothermal sites have been performed primarily by the USGS. According to USGS Fact Sheet 101-02 (Clynne et al. 2002), NPS personnel and USGS scientists monitor the physical and chemical characteristics of surface hydrothermal activity in the park to: (1) better understand the origin and evolution of the park’s hydrothermal resources; and (2) protect park visitors from any potential hazards associated with visiting these features.
