Fox Lake 



Climatic setting. The net annual precipitation balance for Fox 

 Lake (from the MAPS database) is -25 inches, placing the site near 

 the less intensely evaporative end of the range shown by this 

 classification. Mean monthly precipitation for the Savage climatic 

 station shows a pronounced June peak. The 3-year running average 

 of total annual precipitation for this station remained near or 

 below the long-term average through most of the 1980s; from 1991 

 to 1993 the 3-year average exceeded the long-term average. Total 

 precipitation in 1993 (the year prior to sampling) exceeded the 

 long-term average by about two inches . 



Geologic setting. Fox Creek and Fox Lake lie along a mid(?)- 

 Pleistocene glacial drainage way continuous across the modern 

 drainage divides between Redwater Creek, Fox Creek and the North 

 Fork of Burns Creek. Glacial drainage through this system may have 

 deposited glaciof luvial sediment in places along Fox Creek; 

 alluvium of unspecified character is reported to underlie Fox Creek 

 to a depth up to 30 feet. Fox Lake existed as a natural feature 

 prior to dam construction; Holocene-aged lacustrine sediments 

 probably underlie the lake basin. 



Surficial deposits are underlain by the Tullock Member of the Fort 

 Union Formation. 



Hydrologic type. Fox Lake is an artificial impoundment with a 

 managed(?) outlet structure. Although beyond the maximum extent of 

 Pleistocene glaciation. Fox Creek appears to owe it's character to 

 Pleistocene drainage of glacial meltwater from an ice front to the 

 north . 



Prior to damming. Fox Lake was described as perennial but 

 seasonally highly variable in extent. Outflow from the lake may 

 have been seasonal, with periods of basin closure to surface water. 



Basin characteristics. Fox Lake is toward the large end of the 

 size distribution for the DEQ wetland characterization sites, with 

 a contributing basin to wetland area ratio near the median. Low- 

 gradient streams occupying the Redwater River-Fox Creek glacial 

 drainageway provide inflow and outflow. The depth of Fox Lake is 

 unknown but believed to be shallow throughout. The lake basin is 

 divided lengthwise by a railroad berm separating the largest inlet 

 stream (entering north of the railroad) from the outlet stream 

 exiting from the southeastern quadrant. Restricted water 

 circulation across this barrier may lead to exaggerated chemical 

 gradients within the lake basin. 



Water chemistry. At the time of sampling. Fox Lake contained 

 alkaline, "oligosaline" sodium sulfate water; mineral equilibria 

 indicate considerable oversaturation with carbonate phases. 

 Nitrogen concentrations (nitrate and ammonium) were below detection 

 limits and in the lower class rankings, respectively. 



