Remote Sensing Satellite Background Information

Since 1999, Citizen Lake Monitoring volunteers have assisted in a collaborative research effort with University of Wisconsin Environmental Remote Sensing Center by taking secchi readings on dates when the satellites were overhead. The volunteers' participation has allowed the University to successfully calibrate computer programs that enable satellite imagery to be used to predict Secchi Disc Depth 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 DNR and to the public. This is what the DNR and the Remote Sensing Center will be working over the next few years.

Websites of Interest

UW Remote Sensing Center's Interactive Maps (new 2006)
LakeSat.org
Wisconsin Lake Clarity - Trophic State

Satellite-assisted Lake Water Quality Monitoring By Dr. Thomas M. Lillesand and Dr. Jonathan W. Chipman, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Last Revised: Wednesday April 22 2009