The volunteer “Take A Dip” Secchi Disk program was initiated by CLWA in 2010, and has proven to be an important component of the overall water quality monitoring efforts on Canandaigua Lake. Our group of dedicated volunteers provide critical data that notifies us of changes in lake health. Secchi disk volunteers are some of the first to notice a drop in clarity, which can notify us of increased algal activity on the lake.
Volunteers use their own boats to go out on the lake and take weekly clarity and temperature readings. In addition to their secchi readings, volunteers participate in weekly “Lake User Perception Surveys” to compliment data collection performed by the DEC on Canandaigua Lake. Volunteers are documenting changes in the perception of the lake over time, making note of the aquatic plants, algae, and overall aesthetics of the lake.