Citizen Lake Monitoring Program

Because lakes are so central to Minnesota's economy and way of life, it is imperative that we try to maintain and improve the quality of water in our state's lakes. The Citizen Lake-Monitoring Program (CLMP) requires only minimal volunteer time, yet it provides what is essential for achieving these goals.

About the Program

The CLMP is a cooperative program combining the technical resources of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and the volunteer efforts of citizens statewide who collect water-quality data on their lakes.

The program greatly multiplies the MPCA's water-quality sampling capabilities, while volunteers learn about the water quality of lakes in their region and the causes and effects of lake pollution.

Listen to the loon

What Do Volunteers Do?

volunteer using Secchi disk CLMP volunteers collect water transparency data using an 8-inch, circular, all-white metal plate attached to a calibrated rope. This tool is called a Secchi disk. About once a week during the summer, volunteers boat to a designated spot on their lakes to collect transparency readings. The volunteer lowers the disk into the water until it is no longer visible and notes that depth from the markings on the rope. The disk is then lowered a little further and then raised back up until it is just visible. This second depth reading is averaged with the first, and the final number is recorded on a data sheet. At the end of summer, volunteers send their data sheets to the MPCA to be compiled with other water-quality data.

To find out more about the program and what volunteer lake-monitors do, check out our monitoring handbook.

What Kind of Information Do Transparency Readings Provide?

Water transparency is a quick and easy measurement that tells scientists a lot about a lake's water quality. First it indicates the amount of light penetration into a lake. Second, Secchi transparency provides an indirect measure of the amount of suspended material in the water, which in many cases is an indication of the amount of algae in the water.

Long-term transparency monitoring by CLMP volunteers helps scientists detect signs of degradation to a lake. Generally, the sooner water-quality problems are detected, the easier and less expensive it is to restore the lake to its previous state.

Secchi Transparency Slide Show. Watch this slide show to see how Secchi transparency changes over the course of the summer in four distinctly different Minnesota lakes.

Who Can Volunteer for CLMP?

Any person or group willing to devote a small amount of time and energy to conduct simple water-quality checks on a regular basis can become a volunteer monitor. This includes anyone who lives on or near a lake or is a frequent user of a particular lake. The only restriction is that volunteers need to have access to a boat or canoe in order to take the transparency readings.

Find a Lake to Monitor

All lakes in Minnesota are eligible for participation in the CLMP program. To see whether your lake currently has a CLMP monitor, you can contact us (see contact information below) or enter your lake name and county on the Lake Data Search page. When the search results appear, click on the Lake ID number to see the years we have recorded data for that lake. If you don’t see any data for the previous year, it is likely that we need a monitor for that lake.

Each year, we also target specific watersheds for volunteer recruitment. Please see the following list for lakes needing volunteers this year.

2009 Lake Recruitment List

If you are interested in becoming a CLMP monitor, please sign up on the enrollment form below.

Sign Me Up!

Volunteers will receive data sheets, instructions for assembling and using the disk, a copy of the annual report on water quality of lakes in their region, and current CLMP newsletters. If you are interested in becoming a CLMP volunteer, contact the MPCA at 651-296-6300 (Twin Cities metro) or 800-657-3864 (Greater MN only), clmp.pca@state.mn.us. Or complete the application form below.

NOTE: The MPCA reserves the right to limit the quantity of disks to any individual, group or organization.

I would like to be a volunteer in the Citizen Lake-Monitoring Program.

Name
E-mail (optional):
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Phone:

Yes, I need a Secchi disk! No, I already have a Secchi disk
Please indicate your training video format preference:
VHS DVD
Please indicate your T-Shirt size:
Small Medium Large X-Large 2XL

Name of lake you would like to monitor:


County where lake is located:


Lake Location (number of miles and direction from nearest town):
# of miles: Direction (N, NW, etc.):
Town:
Where did you see information about this program?
Comment/Question:

CLMP Datasheets

Over the years, many of you have asked to submit your Secchi readings electronically, rather than mail in your paper datasheet. Now the opportunity is here! The new electronic datasheet is a Microsoft Excel document, and will include completion and submittal instructions. If you decide to use the electronic datasheet, you will not need to send in your paper datasheet. But still send in your electronic datasheet by the required date, November 6, 2009. If you have any questions about the new electronic datasheet, please contact Miranda at 651-757-2614, 1-800-657-3864 or email clmp.pca@state.mn.us.

CLMP Electronic Datasheet - Note: If you sample more than one site, fill out and submit one Excel document for each lake site.
CLMP Paper Datasheet - download and print a paper datasheet.

Contact Information

If you need additional information or assistance, please contact: Johanna Schussler or Miranda Nichols at 800-657-3864 (Greater MN), 651-296-6300 (Twin Cities Metro Area), clmp.pca@state.mn.us (email) or by mail at: Citizen Lake Monitoring Program, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Rd. N., St. Paul, MN 55155.

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This page was last updated January 11, 2010

If you have suggestions on how we can improve this site, or if you have questions or problems, please contact us.
If you have questions or problems with this Web site, contact webmaster@pca.state.mn.us
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