LakeWatch Water Quality Data

The Alberta Lake Management Society accepts requests from citizen scientists across Alberta to have their lake monitored as part of the LakeWatch program. Volunteers often contact the Alberta Lake Management Society due to concerns around eutrophication, harmful algal blooms, watershed developments, biodiversity monitoring, and for the early detection of aquatic invasive species. If accepted into the program, a lake will be monitored 4-5 times throughout the open water season: once in June, once in July, twice in August, and once in September. ALMS hires and trains field technicians in proper sampling techniques and it is these field technicians who arrange the sampling trips with the citizen scientists. At the lake, the citizen scientist’s role is to transport the technicians around the lake on a boat and to assist with sampling. The field technicians provide all necessary sampling equipment, support the volunteers in training, and oversee sample preservation, handling, and shipment. This program is free of charge for individuals hoping to collect water quality data from their lake. This program is made possible with the support of various funders, including the Government of Alberta, and would not be possible without hundreds of hours of volunteer time by lake stewards.