COLOR

(1) Measured in units that relate to a standard. A yellow-brown natural color is associated with lakes or rivers receiving wetland drainage. The average color value for Wisconsin lakes is 39 units, with the color of state lakes ranging from zero to 320 units. Color also affects light penetration and therefore the depth at which plants can grow. (2) One control of light transmission through water. High color values in many lakes result from the decomposition of vegetation, which gives the water a brown, tea-like color. Determined by a comparison with standardized colored-glass discs and reported in platinum-cobalt (Pt-Co) units.