SUMMARY - Understanding Lake Data

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The primary purpose of this publication is to help people understand the elements affecting lake water quality. Another goal is to show the benefits of keeping a long-term record of water quality data. Such a record documents changes and helps to distinguish between a lake's natural variability and the impacts of human activity.

Lake water quality changes over time, so interpreting data based on one or two samples is not enough. Data collected during spring and fall overturn represent a lake's most uniform water quality conditions and are most valuable for comparing year-to-year changes. More extensive sampling provides additional information. A long-term commitment to continue a modest sampling program is better than an extensive program which cannot be sustained because of a lack of funds or volunteers.

The Environmental Task Force Program (exit DNR) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point provides laboratory analysis and long-term data storage of spring and fall turnover sample results.

If you have comments about this publication, would like to receive a free quarterly newsletter (Lake Tides), or simply want more information, contact your local University of Wisconsin-Extension or DNR office, or the Extension lake management specialists (exit DNR) at the College of Natural Resources, University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point WI 54481.

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For more information on this topic, contact:

James Vennie
Watershed Management
(608) 266-2212


Lakes Partnership | Watershed Management | Fish Wisconsin | Fisheries Management

Last Revised: Thursday January 25 2007