Monitoring Water Clarity
Water clarity monitoring is a process in which the volunteer lowers an 8” diameter, black and white disc (“Secchi disc”) into the deepest part of the lake to determine how far down they can see the disc as it is lowered. Water clarity monitoring is done every 10-14 days throughout the open-water season. Monitoring water clarity is a quick way to estimate lake health, and it plays an important role in determining the types of plants and animals that a water body can support.
How to Monitor Water Clarity using a Secchi disc
Water Clarity (Secchi) How-to Video
Want to know what water clarity monitoring entails? Haven’t used your Secchi disc in a while and want to refresh your memory? Check out this great how-to video!
Water Clarity (Secchi) Training Materials
CLMN Training Manual (Secchi Disc Procedures)
Wisconsin Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Training Manual (Secchi Disc Procedures) is
Water Clarity (Secchi) Monitoring Forms
Depending on what you are monitoring, there are two separate forms to use. Make sure you are using the correct form if you are:
- Only monitoring for water clarity (Secchi depth), or
- Monitoring for temperature and dissolved oxygen along with water clarity (Secchi depth)
Water Clarity (Secchi) Resources
Volunteers have been submitting information during the annual Secchi Dip-in since 1994! Please join them in this international effort to track changes in water clarity.
Since 1999, CLMN volunteers have been assisting in a collaborative research effort with the University of Wisconsin Environmental Remote Sensing Center by recording water clarity readings on dates when the satellites were overhead. The volunteers’ participation has allowed the University to successfully calibrate computer programs, which enable satellite imagery to be used to predict water clarity and other water quality parameters on lakes. The researchers at the Remote Sensing Center are continuing their research. The ultimate goal is to put the satellite data into everyday use by making the water clarity data derived from the satellite imagery available to the public.
For more information about the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network contact:
Paul Skawinski, CLMN Statewide Educator
(715) 346-4853 or paul.skawinski@uwsp.edu
Need Help with My Wisconsin ID, SWIMS navigation, or Report Viewing?
LakesSupport@uwsp.edu
Extension Lakes
College of Natural Resouces, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
800 Reserve St. Stevens Point, WI 54481-3897
Phone: 715-346-2116
Direct comments to lakes@uwsp.edu