was alkaline, "oligosaline" and sodium-sulf ate/bicarbonate in 

 composition. (Salinity, relative ion concentrations and nutrient 

 levels may have changed substantially shortly after sampling, with 

 the rapid importation of a comparatively large volume of newly 

 diverted Big Muddy Creek water.) Mineral equilibria indicate 

 substantial oversaturation with respect to carbonate phases. 



The nitrate concentration was below detection limits and the 

 reported ammonium concentration ranked toward the low end of the 

 range shown by sites in this classification. The orthophosphorous 

 concentration ranked mid-range within the site classification, 

 while the total phosphorous concentration (sampled in 1994, the 

 year following sampling of other parameters) was near the high end 

 of the range shown by sample sites in this class. The total 

 organic carbon concentration was low in comparison to similar 

 sites. 



Arsenic and boron concentrations ranked mid-range among sites of 

 this classification. Chromium and lead were reported at the 

 detection limit or slightly above, making WET27 one of the few 

 sites in this class with reportable concentrations of these 

 elements in the water column. 



Chemical history. No water chemistry prior to the 1993 DHES 

 sampling are known. Since 1994, the Fish and Wildlife Service has 

 been monitoring field water chemistry parameters. The northern end 

 of Homestead Lake has shown a range of specific conductance from 

 over 2500 microsiemens/cm (July of 1994) down to 288 

 microsiemens/cm in March of 1995, following diversion of dilute 

 runoff from the Big Muddy. Specific conductance was higher on all 

 occasions in the southern lake basin; this is probably typical of 

 conditions in Homestead Lake. The measured dissolved oxygen 

 concentration in January of 1995 was 1.32 mg/1, showing near- 

 depletion of oxygen under winter ice cover. 



Sediments. Extractable concentrations of arsenic, copper and iron 

 were found to be low to moderate in comparison to sample sites 

 classified with WET27. Most other trace element concentrations 

 were below detection limits. None exceeded mean values for soils 

 of the western United States. 



