Volunteers checked water clarity on an area lake last summer.  More volunteers are needed to monitor water on Pope County area lakes.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is continuing to recruit Pope County residents for its popular program that relies on Minnesota residents to help monitor water clarity in the state’s 12,000+ lakes and 92,000+ miles of streams. This is the perfect opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts and those interested in helping protect our state’s natural resources! There are several high priority sites in need of volunteers across Pope County including:

• Various sites along the Chippewa/Little Chippewa Rivers

• Lake Johanna

• Lake Simon

• Goose Lake

• McCloud Lake

• Lake Emily

• Swam Lake

• Westport Lake

• Nelson Lake

• Lake Mary

• Benson Lake

• Steenerson Lake

• And more!

Through the Volunteer Water Monitoring Program, volunteers do a simple water clarity test in a body of water twice a month during the summer. Lake monitors boat or paddle to a designated spot in the lake to check the clarity, while stream monitors record data from the streambank or a bridge over it. The MPCA provides all the equipment and training, so no experience is needed. 

The MPCA uses the data to help determine whether lakes and streams are meeting water quality standards designed to protect aquatic life and recreational activities like fishing and swimming. If so, these waters are candidates for protective strategies. If not, then studies may follow to determine the pollutants, sources of those pollutants and ways to reduce them. In some cases, the information gathered by volunteers is the only monitoring done on a particular lake or stream. 

“Our volunteers really are vital to helping us track the health of Minnesota’s waters,” says Shannon Martin, Volunteer Water Monitoring Program Coordinator. “Without their data, we wouldn’t be able to have such a greater understanding of what’s happening in our lakes and streams.”

Program volunteers come from all walks of life; from retirees and families to teachers with their classrooms and entire community groups, scouts, anyone can be a volunteer! Those interested in volunteering, locating open volunteer sites near them or learning more about this important program can go to www.mn.gov/volunteerwater or call 800-657-3864.