Prairie Lake (North Dakota)


Prairie Lake is a terminal wetland lake found in Stutsman County, North Dakota. It is on land that is administered by the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands.

Characteristics

The lake sits at an elevation of 565 meters. It has a watershed area of 4.5 km2. The substrate of the lake is mostly sandy, with areas of rock cobble and pebbles.
The lake seasonally experiences low-water levels. It has a relatively low water clarity.

Ecology

The banks of the lake are peaty, and sedges are common. Plants such as Poa pratensis, Elaeagnus commutata, and Crataegus chrysocarpa are found ubiquitously around the lake.

Data collection

The lake is home to two meteorological stations, one of which is situated on a buoy. Biological surveying is performed through electrofishing and sampling for zooplankton and macroinvertebrates.