Stream FLow and Water Quality Monitoring

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducts an annual stream flow and water quality monitoring program for Green Lake. The annual cost of the program is shared between the USGS and the Green Lake Sanitary District (GLSD). The monitoring occurs at the following locations and encompasses:

White Creek (Automatic sampler):

Silver Creek:
(Doppler velocity meter and automatic water sampler)

The Green Lake Outlet :
(Stage discharge station, water sampled manually, 12 per year)

Two long-term sites in Green Lake:
(Five sampling visits)

One site in the Inlet Bay :
(Five sampling visits)

Key: Click on any of the below terms for a definition and why it is important to monitor these parameters.

Daily stream flow

Total phosphorus

Suspended sediment

Dissolved phosphorus concentration

Total phosphorus and suspended sediment concentration analysis

Temperature

Dissolved oxygen

Specific conductance

pH

Look for the 2010 Water Quality Report with an overview of trends (gathered from data from the last five years) in September!

As part of the Citizen Lakes Monitoring Network volunteers also contribute to a well-established database of information used for making management decisions about these water resources. Volunteer Mary Jane Bumby measures water clarity for Big Green Lake using the Secchi Disk method as an indicator of water quality. This information is then recorded in the WIDNR’s SWIMS database which helps determine the lake's trophic state.  

The Green Lake County Land Conservation Department also offers volunteer opportunities for more intensive monitoring. Citizens are asked to follow a specific monitoring schedule, including specific times and (often) locations for monitoring. Interested in volunteering?  Call Green Lake County LCD, 920-294-4057.