Scientist unlocks mystery of nutrient surge in Lake McDonald
A starry night in Glacier Park as the Sprague Fire burns above Lake McDonald in 2017.
Chris Peterson photo
In 2018, the water quality in Glacier National Park’s Lake McDonald had scientists concerned.
The amount of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorous in the lake had zoomed up to levels unseen before.
Lake McDonald is one of the first things people see when they enter the park and it’s pristine. Was Glacier’s most coveted lake suddenly becoming eutrophic? Eutrophic lakes are high in nutrients and are susceptible to algae blooms.
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