MPCA seeks water quality monitoring volunteers for Cook County lakes and streams
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency relies on a vast network of volunteers to monitor the state’s over 92,000 miles of streams and 12,000+ lakes.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s (MPCA) volunteer water monitoring program started in 1973 and aims to collect water quality data to use, assess, and establish state water quality standards.
“The volunteer-collected data is super important and helpful for us here at the MPCA,” Waverly Reibel, the MPCA volunteer water monitoring program coordinator, said.
Between May and Sept., Cook County residents can participate in the volunteer water monitoring program twice a month by measuring the clarity of water in various streams and inland lakes.
“There is no scientific experience necessary,” Reibel said. “Anyone can join the program.”
The MPCA will provide online training and needed equipment for all volunteers. The water quality reading takes less than 10 minutes and requires a Secchi disk. The round disk has a metered rope attached to the middle, and volunteers put the disk in the water and find the depth at which the disk is no longer visible. “Your main goal is to find the disappearance and reappearance point,” Reibel said. “Then you take a look at what number and how deep it is on your rope. And that is your clarity reading.”
Reibel said approximately 20 Cook County lakes, including Elbow, Trout, Tom, Swamp, and Northern Light Lake, need water clarity monitoring.
The water quality reading needs to be taken from the middle part of the lake, requiring a canoe, kayak, or boat.
In comparison, Reibel said the stream water quality monitoring can be done by shore. The Cook County streams include Kimball Creek, Flute Reed River, Little Devil Track River, and Cascade River.
The data collected from the lakes and streams will ensure the consistency and longevity of monitoring water quality trends in Cook County. Reibel said the MPCA uses the collected data to detect trends in water clarity over time and to assess the health of lakes and streams by comparing it to state water quality standards. “So, if a lake or stream fails to meet water quality standards, they can be categorized as impaired. And then they require restoration to improve their overall health.”
To sign up or learn more visit the MPCA website here.
WTIP’s Kalli Hawkins spoke with Waverly Reibel, the MPCA volunteer water monitoring program coordinator, about the program and the volunteer opportunities in Cook County. The audio from the interview is below.
Kalli Hawkins May 22, 2024
