Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project (CLAMP)

Final 2011 Results and Graphs

2011-11-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

The thirteenth year of CLAMP is in the books. Thanks to all for the great year!

Check out the new data display for each collection site. Graphs and raw data of 2011 water monitoring results can now be seen when you click on collection site balloons and hot link. Hope everyone likes this feature. Historical data for each site will also be added at a later date. This will allow everyone to see long term trends in water clarity, nutrient levels, and algae abundance.

End of August Results

2011-08-31T12:54:00.000-07:00

Most of the results are available for the end of August sampling.

West Okoboji continues to show low levels of nutrients and algae, whereas the north end of Big Spirit and East Okoboji had increases. As the beginning of September rolls in, volunteers will be out collecting the last of the water samples for the CLAMP project.

CLAMP Picnic

2011-08-29T09:37:00.000-07:00

After a sumptious dinner of BBQ pork, sides , salads and dessert Dennis Heimdal gave a presentation of some of the 2011 season data. We pondered variations in data from last year to this, and in this photo Jane Leib is showing possible soil erosion path and P sources into East Okoboji.

13th Annual CLAMP Picnic!

2011-08-29T09:32:00.001-07:00

The food and the data interpretation were GREAT at the 13th Annual Thank YOu CLAMP Volunteer Picnic at Lakeside Lab! Thank you CLAMPologists!

Late July and early August Results

2011-08-17T12:12:00.000-07:00

Results from late July and early August are now posted.

The lower portions of East Okoboji along with Minnewashta and the Gar lakes definitely saw an increase in nutrient and algae levels compared to early July. Silver Lake by Lake Park showed some interesting results. Water clarity was poor, phosphorus and nitrogen levels were high, but algae abundance was very low. This probably indicates high levels of turbidity in the lake from suspended silt and sediment. Phosphorus is typically attached to suspended sediments which create poor water clarity and shade out algae from growing.

Water Quality Results from early June

2011-06-27T15:34:00.000-07:00

All CLAMP lakes have been sampled and analysis of water samples completed for early June. Check out the latest water quality results. Note the results from Silver Lake near Lake Park. Chlorophyll results (indicator of algae abundance) were very low, almost as low as West Okoboji Lake. However, water clarity (Secchi depth) was decreased and total phosphorus results higher than West Lake. These results indicate that Silver Lake has high suspended sediments in the water column.

CLAMP first round almost complete

2011-06-16T15:25:00.000-07:00

Water samples have been recently collected from East Okoboji, Silver, Big Spirit, and Center. Analysis for nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) and algae abundance (chlorophyll a) will be started soon. Thanks to all the volunteers' hard work so far.

2011-06-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

West Okoboji Lake was sampled June 8th. Water clarity was very good with a Secchi depth reading of 22 feet (about 7 meters)! The picture above shows Secchi disk in use on West Lake. Water quality data will be coming soon to a lake near you.

Start of CLAMP

2011-06-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

As of June 4, 2011 new water samples from the Lower Chain lakes have arrived at Lakeside Laboratory thanks to the CLAMP volunteers. Both Dennis and Jacob are excited to begin analyzing and reporting the new data so look forward to updates on the lake very soon.

2010 Lake Reports Now Available

2011-05-27T09:48:00.000-07:00

Reports from the 2010 Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoing Project are now available! Visit

www.lakesidelab.org and click on the water quality web page, or contact Dennis or Jane.

2011 CLAMP Season Begins!

2011-05-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

Summer is just around the corner, and so is the 2011 lake monitoring season! If you would like to volunteer with the Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project, sign up for a free training /refresher workshop, or contact Jane at jane-shuttleworth@uiowa.edu.

CLAMP Bottle Washing Party

2011-05-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who helped us reduce, reuse and recycle by coming to our bottle washing party. Each sample season we use almost 600 bottles to sample water! To reuse, each sample bottle must be rinsed three times with a vinegar/water mix, and three more times with tap water. Many hands make quick work!

August Water Quality Data

2010-08-20T13:48:00.000-07:00

Water quality data collected from the beginning of August indicates an increase in nutrients and algae in most of the monitored lakes. This is likely due to the high rainfall in the region and warm air and water temperatures during the time of sample collection. During rainfall events, sediment and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) from surrounding lands can get into area lakes. With warm water temperatures (some lakes were near 90 degrees!) and an influx of nutrients, plants and algae can grow quickly and abundantly.

Little Spirit Lake had some of the poorest water clarity (Secchi depth) and highest chlorophyll a (indicates algae abundance) concentrations in early August. West Okoboji Lake remained clear, with low chlorophyll a levels. The differences are partly due to Little Spirit Lake having an average depth of 5.9 feet whereas West Okoboji Lake has an average of 37.7 feet deep.

Beginning of July Water Quality Data

2010-07-24T12:05:00.000-07:00

Early July data is available for all the CLAMP monitored lakes. Click on the colored balloons on the above map to view recent data for that specific sampling location. Results are showing a decrease in water clarity and an increase in algae abundance and nutrients. This is typically the trend as we get into the warmer days of summer.

CLAMP Data Shared at Conservation Conversation

2010-07-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

Sampling East Okoboji Lake

2010-07-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

It was a windy day out on East Okoboji as white caps were reported by CLAMP volunteers. The water clarity, dissolved oxygen, and water temperature were measured at five East Okoboji sites. Water clarity ranged from 2 feet (0.6 meters) at site 55 near the fish hatchery to 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) at site 57 by Hatti Elston boat ramp. The water temperature was between 24 and 25 degrees celcius (about 75 degrees F). Thanks to Hank and Clark for the data and collections.

Preliminary water quality data available

2010-06-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Check out the latest water quality data for your area of the lake. Watch for updates a couple times a month from July until September. Please comment if you have questions.

Sampling West Okoboji June 3, 2010

2010-06-04T12:49:00.001-07:00

CLAMP 2010

2010-06-02T09:46:00.000-07:00

On Saturday and Sunday May 29 and 30 we had a great turnouts for CLAMP training 2010. Many engaged citizens from the Iowa Great Lakes Community gave their time over Memorial Weekend to learn proper water collection technique. The first series of lake water collections will start on June 1 and training is still available. Citizens are encouraged to come to the Lakeside Laboratory for some science and fun.