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Water Quality Monitoring

Clean Lakes Alliance’s water quality monitoring program was established in 2012, and the first water quality reports were collected in 2013 at 10 nearshore stations. In a few short years, our program has grown tremendously and our trained volunteers now monitor 87 nearshore and 7 offshore sites on all five Madison area lakes.

Learn about the importance of water quality monitoring

Our nearshore volunteers gather data on water clarity and temperature, make visual observations on beach conditions, and identify potentially harmful cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms. This information is made readily available to the public in real-time at lakeforecast.org. Information is also viewable through the LakeForecast app, which is available for Apple and Android. LakeForecast shows which beach or lake access point is closest, and which have the best conditions both currently and over time.

Clean Lakes Alliance volunteer monitors also take weekly measurements of water clarity, water temperature, and dissolved oxygen profiles at the deep points of all five lakes. These efforts complement monitoring done by other groups and will allow us to compare water clarity in the middle of the lake with clarity closer to shore.

Child looks through a turbidity tube
Child looks through a turbidity tube

Water quality monitoring is a great way to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing our lakes, while creating meaningful data to be used for research and advocacy. Learn more about the program:

Become a volunteer water quality monitor

We are beginning our search for 2024 volunteer water quality monitors. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to caitlin@cleanlakesalliance.org.

Off-shore water quality monitoring
Off-shore water quality monitoring

Are you ready to take action on behalf of our lakes? Ever wonder about water quality conditions and trends off your own pier or at your favorite beach?

As a volunteer, you will:

  • Take on the role of a lake scientist
  • Measure real-time, nearshore water quality conditions
  • Help researchers better understand how algal blooms develop and migrate around the lake

Thank you 2022 water quality monitors!

  • Allan Levin
  • Allen Arntsen
  • Amie Francisco
  • Amy Wencel
  • Andy Ippolito
  • Arlene Koziol
  • Bill & Amanda Blank
  • Bob Bertera
  • Bob Gross
  • Brittingham Boats
  • Brooke Waterman
  • Carol Michalski
  • Carolyn Betz
  • Carson Eccles
  • Cassy Cooley
  • Catherine Nguyen
  • Cheryl Namyst
  • Chris and Jennifer Henderson
  • Cindy Koschmann
  • Cole Seckel
  • Connie Hagen
  • David Schroder
  • Diana Tapia Ramon
  • Dick Wallace
  • Doris Dubielzig
  • Doug Bach
  • Elaine Meier
  • Emma Erickson
  • George Benton
  • George Corrigan
  • Greg Quam
  • Gwen Eudey
  • Ian Wegger
  • Jackie Lanear
  • Jacob Stampen
  • Jan Van Vleck
  • Jane Sullivan
  • Janice Kellogg
  • Jay Larson
  • Jeff Steele
  • Jerry Jendrisak
  • Jill Ball
  • Jim and Joan Cordray
  • Jim Wilcox
  • John Bottorff
  • John Nicol
  • John Tye
  • Joy Newmann
  • Kaelin Fontaine
  • Kari Brock
  • Ken LePine
  • Ken Walz
  • Kim & Tom Walz
  • Kim Sprecher
  • Kim Van Brocklin
  • Kimberly Rios
  • Kitty Brussock
  • Linda Malkin
  • Lindsey Klicko
  • Lisa Grueneberg
  • Lori Wallman
  • Lynn Ascione
  • Madison Wynn
  • Mark Jung
  • Mary Crenny
  • Mary Hillebrand
  • Mathew Chotlos
  • Matt and Kim Lechmaier
  • Mel McCartney
  • Michael Oleniczak
  • Mike Horn
  • Mike Schmidt
  • MJ and Tom Morgan
  • Nancy Ellison
  • Paul Hendrickson
  • Peggy Lee
  • Rachel Groman
  • Raymond Rajala
  • Regan Botsford
  • Rhonda Arries
  • Robert Gilbert
  • Robert Montgomery
  • Sally Lehner
  • Sam Warfel
  • Sarah Balz
  • Sarah Fix
  • Seth McGee
  • Stephanie Ogborne
  • Steve Gordon
  • Terri Lefebvre & Joe Campshure
  • Terry Peterson
  • Tom Smith
  • Will Vukk
  • Woody Kneppreth
  • Zak Redding

Lake Forecasting Stewards are welcome to join the program at any time and select their sampling site location. As a donor to this program, you’ll cover equipment costs and learn how to test water clarity, identify cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, and more!

Background

Our monitoring program formed in 2012 under the guidance of University of Wisconsin scientists. Browse the timeline below to see highlights over the years.

  • 77 nearshore monitoring stations including all 25 public beaches and 7 offshore sites
  • Program record of 101 volunteer water quality monitors
  • In partnership with the UW-Madison Water Systems & Society Research Group, 7 volunteers measured microcystin (algal toxin) concentrations throughout the summer
  • Clean Lakes Alliance participated in a global collaboration with BloomOptix to collect microscopic images of algae and cyanobacteria cells to pilot a rapid identification method
  • 2,105 water quality condition reports taken throughout the 2021 monitoring season

  • 71 nearshore monitoring stations including all 25 public beaches; 7 offshore sites
  • Performed algal toxin (microcystin) testing at six public beaches in partnership with UW-Engineering
  • LakeForecast featured weekly on Channel 3000 in new partnership to report water quality conditions on local television
  • 2,294 water quality condition reports taken throughout the 2020 monitoring season

  • 71 nearshore monitoring stations including all 25 public beaches; 7 offshore sites
  • Continued microcystin testing at James Madison Park, in partnership with UW-Engineering
  • 2,005 water quality condition reports taken throughout the 2019 monitoring season

  • 79 nearshore monitoring stations including all 25 public beaches; 7 offshore sites
  • E. coli bacteria and microcystin cyanobacteria toxin sampling pilots launched 

  • 62 nearshore monitoring stations, 7 offshore sites
  • 1,258 data reports

  • 72 nearshore monitoring stations, 7 offshore sites
  • 1,258 data reports

  • 58 nearshore monitoring stations
  • 1,258 data reports

  • Launched lakeforecast.org mobile-ready website
  • 46 nearshore monitoring stations
  • 945 data reports

  • Citizen monitoring pilot launched first year
  • E. coli bacteria testing at James Madison Park beach
  • 10 nearshore monitoring stations
  • 204 data reports

  • Citizen monitoring task force formed
  • Program designed under leadership of Jon Standridge (retired Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene) and Dr. Dick Lathrop (retired WDNR & Center for Limnology)

Thank you to our volunteers and partners for their continued efforts!

Partners

City of Madison
City of Monona
Dane County
5Nines
Public Health – Madison & Dane County
UW-Madison Center for Limnology
UW-Madison Space Science and Engineering Center
UW-Madison Morgridge Center for Public Service
Madison Boats
National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Lake Forecasting Stewards

A special thanks to the donors who were Lake Forecasting Stewards in 2020! Through your support, we are able to cover equipment costs to help support and expand the program. Become a Lake Forecasting Steward today.  (Donors denoted with asterisks are also volunteer monitors!)

George & Susan Benton *
James & Kathleen Brussock *
Friends of the Lakeshore Nature Preserve *
Lloyd Eagan
Ryan & Mary Gallagher
Robert & Jenifer Gilbert
G. Michael & Lynne Horn *
Jeffrey & Arlene Koziol *
Joe Campshure & Terri Lefebvre *

Linda & Mark Malkin *
Leigh Meier *
Dick & Noel Pearson *
Drew Rodysill
Brett & Kim Sprecher *
Jacob & Karen Stampen *
Jill Storms Ball *
Kirk & Betsy Swenson *
James & Joan Wilcox *

Search our website for something else:

Frozen Assets cancels all Lake Mendota events due to poor ice conditions

Due to continued warm weather, Clean Lakes Alliance has made the decision to cancel all Frozen Assets events scheduled to take place on Lake Mendota. The decision was made after multiple days of drilling test holes in Lake Mendota, as well as speaking with experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a local meteorologist, and local law enforcement officials. Events including skydiving, Kites on Mendota, snowshoeing, pond hockey, and the Mary B will not be at Frozen Assets this year.

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Ice on Lake Mendota on January 15, 2024, courtesy Robert Bertera

January cold snap helps lake freeze

Ice on! Temperatures below zero, combined with cold water and low wind, helped Lake Mendota officially freeze on January 15, 2024, as declared by the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. Lake Mendota, the largest lake in the Yahara Watershed, froze a full 26 days after December 20th, which is the median ice-on date for the largest lake in the Yahara River Watershed. The January 15th freeze is the 3rd latest freeze date since monitoring began over 170 years ago. The latest ice-on date is January 30th, and that took place in 1932.

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Image 3 - Offshore monitor training

LakeForecast water quality monitoring in 2023

Clean Lakes Alliance’s LakeForecast water quality monitoring program completed its 11th season in 2023. This program is entirely volunteer implemented, with 90 trained monitors assessing water quality conditions from nearshore and offshore locations across all five Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa). From Memorial Day through Labor Day, volunteers recorded water clarity, air and water temperature, waterfowl presence, extent of floating plant debris, and the severity of green algae and cyanobacteria at public beaches, lakeside parks, and private piers. Submitted data can be seen in real-time on lakeforecast.org or our free app allowing the general public to stay up to date on current lake conditions.

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UW Lifesaving Station rescue boat

An interview with University of Wisconsin Lifesaving Station staff
Article first published in the 2023 Greater Madison Lake Guide, a Clean Lakes Alliance publication

Situated on the southern shore of Lake Mendota is a very unassuming building. You may not recognize the building, but you’ve probably seen one of the boats housed here out on the lake. It’s the University of Wisconsin Lifesaving Station and its job is to help keep everyone safe on Greater Madison’s largest lake.

Read More

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June 17, 2023 @ 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s 11th Annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride. Join us in person on the official Monona Lake Loop by starting and ending at Olbrich Park on Saturday, June 17th.

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Loop the Lake is more than a bike ride – it’s an opportunity for our community to rally around our lakes! All registered participants will receive a super-soft event tee. Event proceeds will support Clean Lakes Alliance’s work to protect and improve our lakes through on-the-ground projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring.

Saturday, June 17th at Olbrich Park (3527 Atwood Avenue, Madison)
Course open 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. with an optional group start at 9 a.m.
$45 per in-person rider (through June 15th), FREE for children 10 & under with purchase of adult registration
$50 day-of registration at Olbrich Park
$55 per virtual rider (includes t-shirt mailing fees)
Registration fee includes super soft t-shirt courtesy of Lands’ End, a day-of beverage courtesy of Wisconsin Distributors, and a food cart item.

Register for Loop the Lake

Thank you sponsors!

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Clean Lakes Alliance

(608) 255-1000

View Organizer Website

Olbrick Park

3527 Atwood Avenue
Madison, Wisconsin 53714 United States + Google Map
6082551000
Register for Loop the Lake

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February 14 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Clean Lakes 101

Join us for this in-person or virtual hybrid edition of Clean Lakes 101 to learn about the relationships and reproductive habits of some of our most common underwater dwellers. Justin Chenevert from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is returning for one of our most popular talks: Love in the Lakes. Register as an in-person attendee or to receive a Zoom link through your confirmation email and watch virtually.

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Enter your information in the box below to register

About this Talk

Organisms across the globe are faced with the same dilemma – how to pass on their genes to the next generation and give their youngsters the best possible chance at success. Things are no different for the creatures in the Yahara lakes. Pike, panfish, plants, and invertebrates all go to great lengths to propagate, but take wildly different approaches. What makes each strategy successful, and why? During this presentation, you’ll learn about the mating and reproductive strategies of several important species, which range from the heartwarming… to the bizarre.

About our Speaker

Justin Chenevert (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) began his career in water resources by removing invasive plants from the Charles River outside of Boston, MA. Soon enough he found himself in Madison completing the Water Resources Management master’s program at UW. Justin worked for Clean Lakes Alliance from 2014 – 2016, supporting the volunteer water quality monitoring program and analyzing water quality data. He is currently employed by the Department of Natural Resources in the Monitoring section of the Water Quality Bureau, where he works on a variety of projects related to lake water quality, ecology, and citizen science. In his free time, Justin enjoys ice fishing and paddling on the Madison lakes and beyond.

Event Details

This event will be held at The Edgewater hotel – grand ballroom level 5 (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI 53703). Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The program runs from 8 – 9 a.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The Edgewater parking ramp. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on hotel capacity.

A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants via the confirmation email.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and UW-Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Clean Lakes Alliance

(608) 255-1000

View Organizer Website

The Edgewater Hotel

1001 Wisconsin Pl
Madison, WI 53703 United States + Google Map
6085358200
View Venue Website

Related Events

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May 21 @ 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm

Clean Lakes 101

Join us for this in-person edition of Clean Lakes 101 from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21st. We’ll hear three panelists discuss the conditions, trends, and water quality drivers affecting the five Yahara lakes.

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Register by entering your information in the box below

About this Talk

The State of the Lakes provides an annual synopsis of how Greater Madison’s five Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa) are doing. Focusing on major drivers and indicators of water quality, the analysis summarizes lake and watershed health factors, trends, and the likely causes of observed conditions. The latest report features lake-by-lake health dashboards and covers five areas of watershed impact and lake response.

Authored by Clean Lakes Alliance Deputy Director and Chief Science Officer Paul Dearlove, the annual State of the Lakes is a product of collaboration involving multiple government and scientific contributors. They include: U.S. Geological Survey, University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Limnology, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Salt Wise, Public Health Madison & Dane County, Dane County Land & Water Resources, and Clean Lakes Alliance’s volunteer LakeForecast monitors.

About our Speakers/Panelists

Richard “Dick” Lathrop has been studying the Yahara chain of lakes since 1975, first on a 2-year federally funded project, then for the next 33 years as a research limnologist for the Wisconsin DNR. Besides his Yahara lakes research that led to a mid-career PhD from UW-Madison, Dick has championed other lake restoration projects including at Devil’s Lake and Lake Wingra. After retiring, Dick continues working on local lake issues through his 26-year Honorary Fellowship at the UW Center for Limnology including on their North-Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research project.

Kyle Minks is the Watershed Manager with the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department and has worked for the County since 2011. His responsibilities include coordinating the County’s efforts in implementing Watershed initiatives and projects, providing support for the two Community Manure Digesters within the County, and quantifying and reporting on County Ecosystem Services. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with Bachelor’s Degrees in both Biology and Water Resources Management in 2007. He also attended the University of Wisconsin Madison graduating with Masters Degrees in both Water Resources Management and Soil Science in 2010.

Paul Dearlove of Clean Lakes Alliance

Paul Dearlove joined Clean Lakes Alliance in 2014 and is the organization’s deputy director and chief science officer. His primary focus is on building watershed stewardship and promoting phosphorus-reduction actions to improve water quality. This work includes creating opportunities for people to become more informed and involved as donors, volunteers, and program participants. He most recently served as the managing director of the Yahara CLEAN Compact, a 19-partner coalition that developed “Renew the Blue: A Community Guide for Cleaner Lakes & Beaches in the Yahara Watershed.” Prior to Clean Lakes Alliance, Paul prepared comprehensive lake rehabilitation plans as a consultant and spent 15 years as Lake Manager of the Lake Ripley Management District (Jefferson County, WI). He earned his M.S. in Water Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, and has served on the boards of the American Water Resources Association (Wisconsin Section), Wisconsin Lakes, and the Friends of Lake Wingra.

Event Moderator

Dana Fulton joined the 27 Storm Track Weather Team in September 2023 and forecasts the weather for 27 News Wake Up Wisconsin weekday mornings from 4:30-7am. She holds a degree in Meteorology from Mississippi State University and a degree in Journalism from Western Illinois University. Prior to joining WKOW, Dana worked at WISC News 3, WACH in South Carolina, KVAL in Oregon, and WEEK in Peoria, IL. At WACH, she was the Chief Meteorologist and led the team through the historic landfall of Hurricane Matthew. A Midwest girl at heart, Dana loves forecasting all four seasons, especially winter weather. She enjoys how invested Wisconsinites are in the weather since the forecast impacts all of us.

Event Details

This event will be held in person only at The Edgewater hotel – grand ballroom level 5 (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI 53703). Doors open at 4:00 p.m. The program runs from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The Edgewater parking ramp. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on hotel capacity.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and UW-Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.

Free

Clean Lakes Alliance

(608) 255-1000

View Organizer Website

The Edgewater Hotel

1001 Wisconsin Pl
Madison, WI 53703 United States + Google Map
6085358200
View Venue Website

Related Events

2023-06_CL101_header-web

June 14, 2023 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am

Clean Lakes 101

Join us for this in-person or virtual hybrid edition of Clean Lakes 101 to learn about how water quality is monitored at beaches within Dane County. Register as an in-person attendee or to receive a Zoom link through your confirmation email and watch virtually.

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Register by entering your information in the box below

About this Talk

Every summer, staff from Public Health Madison & Dane County take on the task of monitoring area beaches. Samples are collected and brought back to the lab for testing. Staff test for bacteria and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). It’s these test results that decide if a beach is open or closed for swimming. Closures are updated online and signs posted at the beach to warn people to stay out of the water when bacteria or cyanobacteria levels are high. This presentation will highlight the importance of recreational water quality monitoring and take you through a day at the beach from sample collection to sample results.

About our Speaker

Jennifer Lavender Braun serves at the lead microbiologist for Public Health Madison & Dane County. In this role, Jennifer oversees microbiology testing for drinking water, swim and whirl pools, and Dane County beaches. Prior to her current position, Jennifer worked at the US EPA National Exposure Research Lab in Cincinnati, OH and the City of Racine Health Department Lab. At the US EPA, Jennifer worked on the National Epidemiological and Environmental Assessment of Recreational Water. This study helped inform the 2012 updated recreational water quality standards that factored in the use of newer rapid methods. During her time in Racine, Jennifer worked on method development for one of these rapid method, qPCR, which is now the standard test method for beaches in that area. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, and a Master of Science in Applied Molecular Biology, both from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. 

Event Details

This event will be held at The Edgewater – grand ballroom level 5 (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI 53703). Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The program runs from 8 – 9 a.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The Edgewater parking ramp. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on hotel capacity.

A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants via the Eventbrite confirmation email.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and UW-Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor First Weber Foundation, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, supporting sponsors National Guardian Life Insurance Company and Alliant Energy, and media sponsor WKOW.

Free

The Edgewater Hotel

1001 Wisconsin Pl
Madison, WI 53703 United States + Google Map
6085358200
View Venue Website

Related Events

May2022 Training with FOLKS

LakeForecast water quality monitoring in 2022

 In 2022, our volunteers embarked on the 10th season of LakeForecast water quality monitoring. This work involved collecting nearshore condition reports at piers, beaches, parks, and access points around the five Yahara lakes. From May through September, volunteers measured water clarity, recorded air and water temperature, identified the presence of green algae and cyanobacteria, and noted additional visual observations. Reports are entered into the LakeForecast app where all data are updated in real time.

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