Lake chemistry Iowa 2001-2011

The ambient lake monitoring program began in 2000 as an effort to better understand and characterize lake water quality in Iowa. The objective of this program is to sample 131 of Iowa’s recreational lakes and to describe current water quality and trends in water quality. Because temporal variability of Iowa’s watersheds is great, samples are collected 3 times a summer at each of the 131 lakes from May through September. “This contract encompasses the majority of lake water quality monitoring conducted as part of the state-wide water monitoring program and is the primary basis for assessing the state’s lake water quality. The purpose of this program is to define the condition of Iowa’s lakes, characterize existing and emerging issues, measure changes or trends in water quality, and provide information to citizens and decision-makers.