Geochemical Relationships Between Lake Superior and Its Tributary Streams With-in the Superior-Cornucopia Red Clay Province, Wisconsin

Abstract

The sedimentation and water quality characteristics of seven Northwestern Wisconsin Lake Superior tributary streams are presented. A large portion of the drainage basins of these streams is located in the Valder's red clay deposits. The waters of these streams are relatively low in dissolved salts and high in dissolved oxygen. Oxygen demanding wastes are low except following periods of heavy rainfall. The rivers normally carry a suspended solid load of one to 75 ppm but most increase drastically during pluvial periods. Stream loads in terms of suspended solids and major nutrients are tabulated and some aspects of the effects of the suspended material on the water quality of the near shoreline portion of Southwestern Lake Superior are discussed.