WDNR lake specialists interpret readings and provide annual reports. You can track your lake's water clarity over time. If problems are detected, action can then be taken. After participating in water clarity monitoring for one year, many volunteers choose to take on additional responsibility by monitoring aquatic plants, watching for Eurasian water milfoil or monitoring water chemistry on their lake. A diverse community of aquatic plants is an essential part of a healthy lake ecosystem.
Plants are also indicators of lake water quality.
By monitoring aquatic plant communities, volunteers document the health of their lake's ecosystem. Eurasian water milfoil is a non-native plant that is invading many lakes throughout the state. This plant can dominate a lake's habitat and displace native species. No training is involved. Volunteers are trained and provided with a manual, sampling equipment and data sheets.