Here’s an inside look at our winter water testing program. LEA staff trek out on the ice in the winter to measure temperature, dissolved oxygen, ice thickness, and light levels above and below the ice. We also collect water samples for nutrient and algae analysis back at the Maine Lake Science Center.
We always check ice conditions before going out – ice strength depends on many factors including waterbody characteristics, past weather, and snow levels. We had some great conditions in January and early February this year!
Cutting holes in the ice and an ice core (top); measuring light above and below the ice with the light meter (bottom)
Measuring dissolved oxygen, temperature, and more with the sonde.
Measuring the Secchi depth (left) and collecting a water sample for phosphorus and algae, plus a sonde profile (right).
Using plankton nets to collect algae and zooplankton samples.
You can read about LEA’s year-round water testing program at mainelakes.org/water-testing-program, and explore our recent water testing reports at mainelakes.org/testing-reports.
Learn more about the winter water testing by exploring our Winter 2024 Monitoring Report below.
