Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
The Watershed Council has coordinated and sponsored the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program for over 20 years. Presently, volunteers monitor 35 lakes spread throughout Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, and Montmorency Counties (map below). The objectives of the program are to collect baseline data, characterize lake ecosystems, identify specific water quality problems, determine water quality trends, and, most importantly, inform and educate the public regarding water quality issues and aquatic ecology. Monitoring water quality does not ensure clean water, but rather provides valuable information to help protect and improve water quality in the lakes of northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.
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Volunteer Lake Water Quality Monitoring Database
Data collected in the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program has been entered into a comprehensive database and is available for download (in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet) by clicking on the button below. |
What does a Volunteer Lake Monitor do?
Volunteer lake monitors are often the first people to get their boats in the water in the spring. Starting in May or early June, they start their weekly visits to the deepest part of the lake to perform water quality monitoring activities. After anchoring the boat, the monitor begins by measuring water clarity with a Secchi disc.
Volunteer lake monitors are often the first people to get their boats in the water in the spring. Starting in May or early June, they start their weekly visits to the deepest part of the lake to perform water quality monitoring activities. After anchoring the boat, the monitor begins by measuring water clarity with a Secchi disc.
Secchi Disc
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The Secchi disc method was originally developed by Italian scientist, Pietro Angelo Secchi, in 1865 and, due to its simplicity and reliability, remains one of the most widely used water quality monitoring instruments today. It is a weighted disc, eight inches in diameter, which is painted black and white in alternating quarters. The monitor slowly lowers the Secchi disc over the shaded side of the boat and notes the depth where it disappears. The disc is lowered an additional two feet and then slowly raised until coming back into view. After noting the depth of reappearance, the average of the two depths is calculated and recorded. The deeper the Secchi disc depth, the clearer the water and generally the better the water quality.
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Every other week, the monitor collects a water sample that is used to measure chlorophyll-a concentrations. Chlorophyll-a is a pigment found in all green plants, including algae. Measuring the amount of chlorophyll-a in a water sample provides a fairly accurate estimate of the amount of algae in the water. After determining the Secchi disc depth, the monitor collects the water sample in the same location. An 'integrated sampling device', which is a weighted container with a small hole on the top for water entry is lowered down through the water column to twice the Secchi disc depth. Research has determined that sunlight penetration, and therefore plant growth, is limited to approximately two times the Secchi depth. The water sample has to be representative of the entire water column, so the volunteer has to lower and raise the water sampling device at such a rate that twice the Secchi disc depth is reached and so that the container is not overflowing upon reaching the surface. Although more difficult than measuring Secchi depth, with practice our volunteers have consistently and quickly mastered this water sample collection method.
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Integrated Sampling Device
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Once the water sample has been collected, the volunteer monitor forces a specific volume of water through a filter paper inside a syringe filtering device. The filter paper is carefully placed into a test tube, wrapped in tinfoil to prevent exposure to sunlight and stored in the freezer. At the end of the sampling season, the accumulated test tubes with filters of all the lake volunteer monitors are delivered to the University of Michigan Bio-station for analysis. A low level of chlorophyll-a indicates relatively low algae abundance and good to excellent water quality, while a high level of chlorophyll-a indicates dense algae growth and generally poor water quality.
Starting in 2002, volunteers were equipped with thermometers and began measuring surface water temperature. Additional parameters under consideration for monitoring include phosphorus and microsystin. Phosphorus would provide valuable information about nutrient levels in our lakes and would also help further define the trophic status of our lakes. Microsystin is a toxin produced by some strains of the Blue-green algae, Microsystis. It has been speculated that Microsystis blooms are becoming more common due to the far-reaching effects of zebra and quagga mussel proliferation in Michigan lakes. As this toxin is potentially harmful to animals (including humans) it may be prudent to include it in our monitoring programs. However, monitoring phosphorus and microsystin will depend upon many factors, chief among which are funding and volunteer interest.
Starting in 2002, volunteers were equipped with thermometers and began measuring surface water temperature. Additional parameters under consideration for monitoring include phosphorus and microsystin. Phosphorus would provide valuable information about nutrient levels in our lakes and would also help further define the trophic status of our lakes. Microsystin is a toxin produced by some strains of the Blue-green algae, Microsystis. It has been speculated that Microsystis blooms are becoming more common due to the far-reaching effects of zebra and quagga mussel proliferation in Michigan lakes. As this toxin is potentially harmful to animals (including humans) it may be prudent to include it in our monitoring programs. However, monitoring phosphorus and microsystin will depend upon many factors, chief among which are funding and volunteer interest.
Lake Characterization and Trophic Status
All lakes undergo a natural "aging" process called eutrophication. Lakes formed from glaciers are often very deep, with cold water, low levels of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), and low biological productivity (relatively little aquatic life). As a lake "ages", nutrient accumulation in the lake water and bottom sediments leads to greater biological productivity. Greater biological productivity leads to increased deposition of organic matter, which, combined with sediments that wash in during rain storms or snowmelt, cause the lake to become shallower and water temperatures to rise. In a natural setting this process occurs very slowly with little or no apparent change over the course of a human lifetime.
Human activities in a watershed often greatly accelerate the natural aging process of lakes by contributing additional nutrients and sediment. The acceleration of the process is called 'cultural eutrophication'. When excessive nutrients are added to a lake, aquatic plants and algae thrive, resulting in excessive growth and large blooms. Excessive plant growth and large algae blooms can make swimming undesirable, make boating difficult and lead to the formation of 'dead zones'. Dead zones are areas in a water body devoid of aquatic life due to dissolved oxygen depletion. Although aquatic plants and algae contribute oxygen to the ecosystem during day-time photosynthetic activities, they consume oxygen during the night while respiring, which (with excessive plant growth) can result in oxygen depletion. Increased sediment contributions from erosion, construction activities, and other human activity also accelerate the aging process.
All lakes undergo a natural "aging" process called eutrophication. Lakes formed from glaciers are often very deep, with cold water, low levels of nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), and low biological productivity (relatively little aquatic life). As a lake "ages", nutrient accumulation in the lake water and bottom sediments leads to greater biological productivity. Greater biological productivity leads to increased deposition of organic matter, which, combined with sediments that wash in during rain storms or snowmelt, cause the lake to become shallower and water temperatures to rise. In a natural setting this process occurs very slowly with little or no apparent change over the course of a human lifetime.
Human activities in a watershed often greatly accelerate the natural aging process of lakes by contributing additional nutrients and sediment. The acceleration of the process is called 'cultural eutrophication'. When excessive nutrients are added to a lake, aquatic plants and algae thrive, resulting in excessive growth and large blooms. Excessive plant growth and large algae blooms can make swimming undesirable, make boating difficult and lead to the formation of 'dead zones'. Dead zones are areas in a water body devoid of aquatic life due to dissolved oxygen depletion. Although aquatic plants and algae contribute oxygen to the ecosystem during day-time photosynthetic activities, they consume oxygen during the night while respiring, which (with excessive plant growth) can result in oxygen depletion. Increased sediment contributions from erosion, construction activities, and other human activity also accelerate the aging process.
Data collected by volunteers in the Volunteer Lake Monitoring program are used by Watershed Council staff to determine the current level of productivity or the "trophic status" of a lake. Lakes are classified according to their trophic status, which ranges from oligotrophic (low productivity) to eutrophic (high productivity). In general, oligotrophic lakes are considered to have high water-quality, mesotrophic lakes have moderate water quality and eutrophic lakes have poor water quality. However, keep in mind that eutrophic lakes occur naturally during the aging process and do not necessarily reflect poor water quality.
Volunteer Lake Monitoring Locations
Click a "secchi disc" icon in the map below to see detailed information about a specific lake monitoring site. You can zoom in and out of the map using the "+" and "-" located in the top right corner of the map. This map also shows the volunteer monitoring sites, indicated by a star icon.
Click a "secchi disc" icon in the map below to see detailed information about a specific lake monitoring site. You can zoom in and out of the map using the "+" and "-" located in the top right corner of the map. This map also shows the volunteer monitoring sites, indicated by a star icon.
Putting the Data to Work
The hard work of dedicated volunteers over the last twenty years has produced a wealth of information about water quality of the lakes in our region. One method used by Watershed Council staff to determine lake water quality is the calculation of the trophic status using Carlson's Trophic Status Index (TSI). This index utilizes Secchi disk depth recordings and chlorophyll-a measurements collected by volunteer monitors to calculate a lake score that ranges from 0-100. Lakes that score at the low end of the scale (TSI values ranging from 0-38), are considered to be oligotrophic with excellent water quality. A TSI score of 39-49 indicates a mesotrophic lake with good water quality and a TSI value of 50 or greater is considered to be a eutrophic lake with poor water quality.
Seasonal averages for Secchi disc depth and chlorophyll-a concentrations are used to calculate TSI values, but data spanning multiple years is preferable because of the great influence that environmental factors, such as weather, can have on index values.
The hard work of dedicated volunteers over the last twenty years has produced a wealth of information about water quality of the lakes in our region. One method used by Watershed Council staff to determine lake water quality is the calculation of the trophic status using Carlson's Trophic Status Index (TSI). This index utilizes Secchi disk depth recordings and chlorophyll-a measurements collected by volunteer monitors to calculate a lake score that ranges from 0-100. Lakes that score at the low end of the scale (TSI values ranging from 0-38), are considered to be oligotrophic with excellent water quality. A TSI score of 39-49 indicates a mesotrophic lake with good water quality and a TSI value of 50 or greater is considered to be a eutrophic lake with poor water quality.
Seasonal averages for Secchi disc depth and chlorophyll-a concentrations are used to calculate TSI values, but data spanning multiple years is preferable because of the great influence that environmental factors, such as weather, can have on index values.
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The Future of the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
Through an agreement with the DNR in 1992, the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association, Inc. (ML&SA) began coordinating volunteer lake monitoring programs throughout the State. As of 2008, Secchi depth, chlorophyll-a, and phosphorus data from up to 170 lakes were collected by volunteer monitors in the ML&SA Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program. The Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program is quite similar to the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program, but due to the longevity and success of our program, the benefits of localized program administration, and our commitment to and strong relationships with lake associations and riparian owners throughout our service area, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council will continue to coordinate all program activities into the foreseeable future. On the other hand, through participation and collaboration with the recently formed Michigan Clean Water Corps, volunteer monitoring activities coordinated by the Watershed Council will merge to some extent with those occurring throughout the State. |
Join us! Lake monitoring training is held each May. Call (231) 347-1181 for details.
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Many beautiful high-quality lakes are being monitored by volunteers throughout the northern Lower Peninsula as a result of the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program. Nevertheless, there is always a need for more volunteers. Call (231) 347-1181. Volunteering to be a monitor requires attending a half-day training session and then performing 1-4 hours of monitoring duties on a weekly basis from early June to late August (though some volunteers opt to start in May and continue until September or even October!). If you are interested in volunteering time to help monitor lake water quality, please contact the Watershed Council office at (231) 347-1181.
Additional Resources
2015 Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has worked for decades to ensure that our waters remain magnificent resources. The information and data contained in this report illustrates the hard work of our staff and volunteers to ensure the high water quality of lakes in our region now and in the future.
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council has worked for decades to ensure that our waters remain magnificent resources. The information and data contained in this report illustrates the hard work of our staff and volunteers to ensure the high water quality of lakes in our region now and in the future.
2014 Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs
The information and data contained in this report illustrates the work of our staff and volunteers to ensure the high water quality of lakes in our region now and in the future.
The information and data contained in this report illustrates the work of our staff and volunteers to ensure the high water quality of lakes in our region now and in the future.
