Lake Monitoring
WEAL has been providing the Lake Water Quality Program to organizations or individuals interested in the water quality of their lakes. Since 1984 145 lakes have been involved in this program. We provide two analytical programs to evaluate long-term changes in water quality.
 

Program benefits are useful for explaining:

  • The present status of the lake.
  • Whether water quality is changing, this requires long-term monitoring.
  • Unusual abundance or lack of algae and/or rooted aquatic plants.
  • Fish kills.
  • Changes in water clarity

 

Spring and Fall Overturn

These data could be supplemented by additional monitoring done by lake residents that would make the interpretation of data more complete.
Samples are collected twice per year by program participants: once during spring overturn, the other during fall overturn. This timing ensures the greatest uniformity of water quality throughout the lake. We will perform analyses and provide a data summary. All data is stored on our computer to maintain long-term records for each lake. Participants are provided sample bottles, shipping cartons, and sampling instructions prior to each sampling date.
 
shawano lake: Spring and fall overturn Banner
Package A Package B
The analyses in this package gives you the basic chemistry of your lake, including the mineralogy and nutrient content. Analytes in this package would affect the plant growth within the lake, which may be an indication of land use runoff. This package is recommended after running Package A for at least two years.
alkalinity
ammonium nitrogen
calcium hardness
chloride
color
conductivity
nitrate + nitrite (N)
pH 		potassium
reactive phosphorus
sodium
sulfate
total hardness
total Kjeldahl nitrogen
total phosphorus
turbidity
ammonium nitrogen
chloride
conductivity
nitrate + nitrite (N)
 reactive phosphorus
total Kjeldahl nitrogen
total phosphorus
Additional analyses are available upon request.  
  

Additional RecommendationsAdditional REcommendations studying

In addition to the water chemistry, we recommend that participants take:
 
Weekly Secchi disc readings during the summer to document changes in light penetration due to algae growth or other suspended matter.
Weekly readings of water level; these changes can affect water quality.
Measurements of oxygen and temperature, along with depth (during late summer and late winter).

We maintain the above data in our database and include it in the report to aid in the interpretation of lake water quality trends. Participants in the WEAL Lake Water Quality Program can request information on obtaining the necessary equipment needed and taking measurements.
 
We also encourage participating in the DNRs Self-Help Monitoring Program and other more in depth lake studies, all of which help residents understand their lakes water quality conditions.
  

Data Report

The data report sent to the participants include graphs and tables showing current and previous data, so variability and trends can be seen. Also included is a comparison of other similar type lakes located in the same part of the state. The extension bulletin Interpreting Lake Water Quality (which we provide) is useful in helping lake residents interpret results from this program. One or two years of data are often not sufficient to characterize a lake.
 
The database generated by this program may also be useful for graduate students, staff, and local or state professionals who are interested in lake water quality.
 
With lake participant's consent, results can be added to the DNR statewide database website called Surface Water Integrated Monitoring Systems (SWIMS). 
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If you have any questions about this program contact Bill DeVita 715-346-3753, or email wdevita@uwsp.edu.  
For research or monitoring projects you may contact Nancy Turyk at 715-346-4155 or email nturyk@uwsp.edu.
 

Links to other lake related sites in Wisconsin:

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network http://www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/clmn/