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Lake Basin Littoral Zone

<b>15-Foot Standard:</b> Polygons showing the DNR Fisheries calculated littoral zone based on a standard 15-foot depth contour. For this standard, all lake areas 0-15 feet in depth are considered to be littoral zone. This definition is historically based on the <i>maximum depth of light penetration</i> to the lake bottom for plant growth (although the actual depth of light penetration varies by lake due to water clarity---see Observed).<br/><br/><b>Observed:</b> Polygons showing the estimated littoral zone of a lake based on the <i>maximum observed depth of plant growth</i> from individual Lake Survey transects. ‘Observed’ depths will usually differ from the 15-ft standard. In very clear lakes, observed vegetation depths will be >15 feet; in turbid lakes, <15 feet.<br/><br/>

Additional Info

Field Value
dsAccessConst None
dsCurrentRef Time Period of Content date indicates the date which the user can be confident of accuracy and completeness of the dataset. Littoral zone estimates are derived from existing Lake Bathymetry products (i.e., DEMs and contour lines: 15-foot contour for Standard Littoral Zone and contour of observed maximum depth of vegetation for Observed Littoral Zone). Lake bathymetric contour lines and DEMs are derived from existing lake contour maps of variable dates. (See Quick Layers:Hydrography:Lake Bathymetric Outline for field work dates of individual lakes.) Values for maximum depth of vegetation come from transect observations recorded during individual Lake Surveys (various dates). Vegetation depth values (when they exist) were used to estimate the Observed Littoral Zone.
dsMetadataUrl https://resources.gisdata.mn.gov/pub/gdrs/data/pub/us_mn_state_dnr/water_lake_basin_littoral_zones/metadata/metadata.html
dsModifiedDate 2025-05-02 00:27:32
dsOriginator DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife - Section of Fisheries
dsPeriodOfContent 5/1/2025
dsPurpose This data was developed to assist in resource management and research applications by furthering the basic understanding of the littoral zone of a lake. Littoral area has implications for available habitat, spawning sites, productivity, oxygen levels, and erosion/sedimentation dynamics.
gdrsDsGuid {e54d218c-1f58-4c4c-baeb-0ceecc6547e7}
spatial {"type":"Polygon","coordinates":[[[-96.719299, 43.460328],[-96.719299, 48.559229], [-89.998661, 48.559229], [-89.998661, 43.460328], [-96.719299, 43.460328]]]}

Dataset extent

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