Did you know that the easiest, most inexpensive way to monitor water quality in a lake is with a simple white disk? This measurement tool is called a Secchi disk. It is a metal disk, 8 inches in diameter that has a cord attached to the middle. This cord has 6 inch increments marked on it. Each foot is marked in black, while each half foot is marked in red. The way to take a Secchi disk reading is to lower the disk on the cord into the water until you can’t see it anymore. Then, you slowly pull it back up until you see it again. You average these two depths from the surface of the water to the disk and that is called the Secchi depth. [Read more…]
May 2, 2013 By
Water transparency translates to lake condition
May 2, 2013 By
Evaluating our Lakes
In Minnesota, our lakes are one of our most precious resources. Even our slogan, “The Land of 10,000 Lakes” boasts of our pride in our lakes. Not much can top the feeling of watching the sun set over the water, swimming on a hot, humid August day, or catching a big walleye. It would be hard to imagine a future without being able to enjoy these activities. [Read more…]