Surveys are a popular tool used to gather information.  Lake organizations often use surveys to collect data on a variety of topics from their members.  However, survey development is (and should be) much more involved than just throwing together some questions and distributing to a few people.  Knowing the ingredients of a good survey can make the difference between success and failure.  Find out more about the importance of collecting credible information and how to craft your surveys to avoid common errors.  Results from an angler survey administered as part of an economic study on the Lake Winnebago System will be shared as an example. 

The data generated by collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates adds an important dimension to water quality assessments.  Collecting this information can enhance other measurements such as water chemistry collection.  Learn about these waterbugs and their sensitivities to environmental stressors, why they are good long-term indicators of environmental quality, and how sampling can help lake managers assess watershed health over time at little expense. 

Presenter: Jeremy Williamson, Polk County Land and Water Resources Department