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Program Overview
Each lake is unique due to the many
characteristics and variables that influence its makeup. The collection of simple
water quality data is one way to begin to quantify the physical, chemical and biological
condition of lakes. In 1993, Bruce Paakh of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
developed a monitoring program that was user friendly and provided citizen lake
managers with the ability to characterize the fertility and resultant productivity
of a lake. RMB Environmental Laboratories, Inc. has worked closely with the MPCA
since 1995 to enhance the program following its goals and has increased participation
to over 900 lakes throughout Minnesota. This lakes monitoring program involves the collection of total
phosphorus and chlorophyll-a samples. Other observations such as Secchi disk, lake
level, rainfall, and recreational suitability are also documented. Citizen volunteers
collect water samples once a month from May through September and submit them to
the lab. Following laboratory analysis,the collected data is electronically stored
and tracked using this web-accessed database, so that users can view and assess
the data.
Goals of this program:
| 1. Identify Trophic State Index (TSI) for participating lakes |
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Trophic state index (TSI) is a numerical value used to characterize lakes based upon their level of productivity/fertility. |
| 2. Develop the relationship between total phosphorus, chlorophyll-a, Secchi disk, TSI and user perceptions |
| 3. Develop database for trend analysis |
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Graphical and statistical interpretation of a lake's health over time |
| 4. Develop database for predictive modeling capabilities |
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Predictive modeling is a process by which a database is used to describe mathematically the likelihood of impacts on water quality from future events, given a set of values for variables. |
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Educate lake property owners about the fertility and productivity levels on the lake and use this information to promote stewardship on shoreline properties. |
| 6. Work with concerned citizens and the MPCA to monitor and identify lakes for the
impaired waters list. |
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