The students practice the D.O. testing before heading out on the lake. The data acquired from these tests is very important and should not be taken lightly.

The tests can tell us whether or not increased boat traffic is harming our lake or not bothering it at all. We find out when the annual turnover is. A turnover is basically when the water at the top of the lake replaces that at the bottom of the lake essentially turning it over

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As the resulting aquatic plant growth dies each year, sediments fill in the bottom of the lake. This is a natural process that takes thousands of years to fill in a large, deep lake, and less time in a shallow lake. Most of the tests done out on the lake are actually done by the students in Mr. Hunters science class, there are only two which have to sent into the lab to be analyzed: chlorophyll-a and phosphorus.

Using the secchi disc and the lap top computer students make sure they know how all the equipment works before using it for the study.

Students practice the D.O. testing before they go out on the lake.

The tests can also tell us whether or not farming in the remote area is affecting the phosphorus and pH levels of the lake, this would be indicated by a dramatic increase or decrease in either one. The township board will be using the data presented by Mr. Hunters applied science class to make a decision on whether or not certain restrictions should be place in the surrounding lake area. This could turn out to be a critical decision and the data from the lake study is a very large part of it.

Water Test, page 2 / April 2001

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