Citizens Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN)

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) runs a Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN).  The core of the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership, CLMN creates a bond between over 1,000 citizen volunteers statewide and the DNR.  Its goals are to collect high quality data, to educate and empower volunteers, and to share this data and knowledge.

PCLA volunteers take water quality and chemistry samples four times each open water season.   The first is taken within two weeks of ice out, and the remaining are taken during the latter half of the months of June, July, and August. Volunteers measure water clarity, using the Secchi Disk method, as an indicator of water quality. Volunteers may also collect chemistry (phosphorus, chlorophyll), temperature and dissolved oxygen data, as well as monitor for the first appearance of aquatic invasive species near boat landings, other access points, or along the shoreline.

On Smoke Lake taking water samples, testing DO, and measuring water clarity (Photo: L. Haak, 2023)

We also take dissolved oxygen readings through the winter, and report on ice in and ice out on the lakes.

Data from the CLMN program help us to track water quality and the efficacy of our aerator systems.

Thanks to Jim Lamers for working with the DNR to set up our CLMN program!

Volunteer Resources

• PCLA Water testing protocol

• CLMN water chemistry testing video

• CLMN data collection form

• Satellite Path and Satellite Schedule

• Water Quality Data: Pickerel Lake, Smoke Lake, Little Pickerel Lake