Connecticut Lake Watch

Community-Based Lake and Pond Water Quality Monitoring

The Connecticut Lake Watch network is a statewide volunteer (i.e., community science) water quality monitoring program coordinated by DEEP as part of the larger Connecticut Volunteer Water Monitoring Program. Connecticut Lake Watch participants are trained to monitor lake/pond water clarity using a Secchi disk and thermometer. Monitoring ideally occurs weekly from early spring until fall. In addition, volunteers are trained to identify and report algal blooms that could lead unsafe recreation conditions.

The data collected can be used to guide local lake management efforts, inform CT DEEP water quality assessments, and evaluate trends in lake and water quality statewide over time.    

Program Materials

Field Materials

• Connecticut Lake Watch Field Datasheet
• Field Guide: Secchi Disk Depth, Total Water Depth, Air and Water Temperature

Paddlecraft Safety Information:

• CT Lake and Pond Bathymetry Maps
• Paddlecraft Boating Safety Reminder Sheet
• Boating Float Plan

Training Resources:

• Secchi Disk Simulator (Courtesy of Lake Stewards of Maine)
• How to Measure Water Clarity - Secchi Disk and Measuring Tape (Courtesy of NY CSLAP)

Data Submission and Management

• Lake Observer Web App
  • Lake Observer Mobile App Download: iOS version / Android version
  • Lake Observer Account Registration Instructions
    
  • Lake Observer Web App User Manual
  • Batch Upload Data Templates

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use the Connecticut Lake Watch protocols to monitor?

Any individual can be certified to use the Connecticut Lake Watch protocol to monitor water clarity on Connecticut lakes and ponds. However, individuals who live on or regularly recreate on a particular like are ideal Lake Watch volunteers.

CT DEEP is also interested in partnering with interested lake associations in Connecticut that have an existing water quality monitoring program or associations that would like to establish a new monitoring program. 

When do volunteers monitor?

Trained Connecticut Lake Watch volunteers are asked to monitor their designated lake site(s) weekly between April and October.  (However, the goal is to capture data before the lake stratifies which can occur as early as March in some years.)  Monitoring ideally will occur during mid-day. Some volunteers choose to continue to monitor Secchi depth during October through April, but this is not required.  If it is of interest, volunteers can continue to use the Lake Observer tools to record ice out during the winter months. 

Do volunteers need to have previous experience monitoring lakes?

Prior monitoring experience is not necessary.  New volunteers complete a CT DEEP-led training to learn basic lake monitoring protocols and data submission guidelines. During this initial basic training, new volunteers are taught how to take a Secchi disk depth reading.  In addition, volunteers are taught how to record surface water temperature and other ambient conditions (air temperature, cloud cover, surface conditions).   

Experienced monitors, particularly those who have a history of collaborating with CT DEEP, are eligible to complete an accelerated training that focuses primarily on the use of Lake Observer for data management purposes.  

What equipment is needed to participate?

Connecticut Lake Watch participants are responsible for purchasing their own equipment. To get started, a waterproof camera and a black-and-white Secchi disk and calibrated line are needed, along with basic materials such as a field notebook or clipboard. Secchi disks can vary in cost depending on size and quality, but a group should expect to spend anywhere from $50-100 on a disk. A waterproof digital camera typically costs between $100-400 depending on the quality purchased. Well-maintained equipment can be used to monitor a site for many years after purchase.

In addition, since measurements are typically taken at the deepest part of the lake or pond, a boat with a life preserver and anchor is needed. (Power boats are not required; a kayak or canoe can be used on most waterbodies.)

The DEEP Volunteer Water Monitoring Program has several Secchi disk kits available for annual loan.

How can my group join the CT Lake Watch Program?

New participants are required to complete a DEEP-led training.  Please email the DEEP CT Lake Watch Coordinator to be added to the notification list for future trainings.

My lake group already has collected several years of lake data, is DEEP interested in this information?

Yes! CT DEEP is interested in any available historic lake and pond water quality data. Batch upload templates are available from the Data Management and Submission section above.  Before proceeding with data upload, please complete the monitoring station template and submit to the CT Lake Watch Coordinator so that your stations can be added to the CT Lake Watch project within Lake Observer.  Once a station is added it will be assigned a unique station number (Site_ID) which is needed to complete the remaining data submission templates. 
  

Data Availability

Data collected by Lake Watch volunteers are uploaded directly by volunteers to the Lake Observer Database using either the website submission form ('web app') or a mobile app. 

Once data are uploaded, Lake Observer allows any individual to view and download the data.  To allow for development of lake health report cards and regional trend analysis, water quality data will be shared with the EPA Water Quality Portal.

If you are interested in exploring Connecticut volunteer lake data, select “Connecticut Lake Watch” from the Lake Observer project drop-down menu and then select “Search” at the bottom of the page. (If you use the data for a project, we would love to know about it!)
   

Related DEEP Pages

• Ambient Lake and Pond Water Quality Monitoring
• Aquatic Invasive Species Information
• Connecticut Boater's Guide
• Connecticut Contours and Lake Bathymetry GIS Data
• Freshwater Mussels of Connecticut

Other Resources

• CT Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) Aquatic Invasive Plant Program
• USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database and Map
• Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative (includes bloomWatch and cyanoScope projects)
• Water Level Monitoring with Lake Observations by Citizen Scientists and Satellites (LOCSS) 
• Connecticut Federation of Lakes
• New England Chapter North American Lake Management Society (NEC-NALMS)
• EPA Lake Comparison Tool 

 

For More Information Contact:

DEEP CT Lake Watch Coordinator
DEEP.CTLakeWatch@ct.gov

Content last updated April 23, 2024