Acid neutralizing capacity of lakes in the North Cascades area of Washington State

Thirty three lakes were surveyed in 1983 in the North Cascades area of Washington State and 27 additional lakes were surveyed in 1984 to characterize lake chemistry in the area. Lakewater ANC was less than 100 ueq 1^?1 for 37% of the lakes and less than 200 ueq 1^?1 for 68% of the lakes. The North Cascades are very similar to unimpacted sensitive areas of North America and Northern Europe in mean alkalinity and (Ca + Mg). Bedrock geology appears to have a significant influence on surface water ANC with lakes on granitic and metamorphic bedrocks having the lowest ANC.