Sediment and nutrient accumulation in Bear Lake post reconnection with Bear River

Historical rates of bulk sediment accumulation were calculated based on the ages within the sediment cores. Bulk sediment accumulation rates increased throughout the last 100 years. According to the CRS model, bulk sediment accumulation rates were <25 mg/cm2/yr prior to 1935. Between 1935-1980, bulk sediment accumulation rates increased to approximately 40 mg/cm2/yr. This increase in bulk sediment accumulation probably resulted from the re-connection of Bear River to Bear Lake. Bulk sediment accumulation rates accelerated again after 1980. Accumulation rates of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), total inorganic carbon (TIC), and total organic carbon (TOC) were calculated using bulk sediment accumulation rates and sedimentary concentrations of these nutrients. The accumulation rates of TP, TN, TIC and TOC increased after the re-connection of Bear River with Bear Lake as a consequence of increased bulk sediment accumulation rates. Eutrophication either has not occurred or has not been recorded in the sediment record of Bear Lake.