Florida Lake Watch Program
E Lake participates in the Florida Lake Watch Program administered by the University of Florida. This is a cost free program designed to monitor Florida’s lakes through the involvement of trained lake resident volunteers and scientists at the University of Florida. Lake volunteers take various water samples and conduct a variety of tests. This data is then sent to Gainsville for analysis. Dr. Keith Hechtman is our trained lake resident who samples and tests on a monthly basis. Keith takes water samples and analyzes its chemical makeup. There is a fair amount of chemistry involved. Some of the samples are immediately frozen and later sent off to Gainsville. Water clarity is tested by using the Secchi measurement disk. All E Lake residents are invited to participate with Keith during his monthly tests. Detailed analysis reports on E Lake are available.
This is a free program which acts as a backup to our monthly water analysis by Aquatic Systems Inc., which costs $12,000.00 annually. Lake Watch has been around for over 10 years and monitors hundreds of lakes throughout Florida. The data is used to spot trends and to provide solutions to water bodies experiencing environmental problems.
The program has divided up the state into 47 regions. Not surprising, we are in the southern region called: the Miami Ridge/Atlantic Coastal Strip Region. Lake Watch has a list of circulars and pamphlets available of which can be obtained by a simple phone call: 1 800 LAKEWATCH or 1 800 525 3928
- Florida Lake Watch Data – what does it all mean ? This leads you through the tables and graphs and shows you how to spot trends and patterns.
- Trophic Stats – A waterbody’s ability to support plants, fish, and wildlife. This explains the four trophic states, discusses how Lake Watch determines your waterbody’s trophic state and how the information can be useful to you.
- Florida Lake Regions: A classification system – explains the development of 47 Florida lake regions and how it can be useful to you.
- A Key to Water Management: the ABC’s – a handbook of commonly used terms and concepts used in water management.
- A Key to Water Management: Nutrients – provides information on algae, aquatic plants, nitrogen, phosphorus, and how the Lake Watch data is used to monitor lake nutrient trends and information.
- A Key to Water Management: Water Quality – describes water clarity and how its measured and factors affecting lake water clarity.
These publications are fascinating reading and all directly apply to E Lake in different ways. Another venue of information is to go to the Florida Lake Watch website. All lake residents should have a basic understanding of Florida limnology – (lake science).