Effects of storm-water runoff on an urban lake, Lake Ellyn at Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Detention of urban runoff was observed to have physical, chemical, and biological effects on a small lake located near Chicago, Illinois. Accumulated bottom sediments reduce lake storage and have comparatively high concentrations of metals and organic compounds. Concentrations of many constituents dissolved in the lake water are seasonally cyclic, with annual concentration peaks occurring during the winter. Maintenance of desirable benthic invertebrate and fish communities, and development of undesirable phytoplankton blooms appear to be inhibited by sediments deposited on the lake bottom and suspended in the lake water. (USGS)