Citizen Science: How to Contribute Useful Data

Participation & Citizen Science

Turn everyday observations into information your lake can use for decisions, funding, and long-term stewardship.

Why Your Data Matters

  • Fills gaps: Agencies can't be everywhere—volunteer data covers space and time
  • Triggers action: Clear, consistent reports speed up responses and projects
  • Builds the record: Year-to-year trends support grants and better management

Good Data in Plain Language

  • Same method, same place, same time (as much as possible)
  • Write what you see, not what you assume. Use neutral descriptions
  • Log conditions: weather, wind, recent rain, water level—context explains changes
  • Keep it safe and simple. If it's risky, skip it

Core Volunteer Protocols (Pick 1–3 to Start)

1) Water Clarity (Secchi-Style)
  • Where: A consistent deep-water point you can reach safely
  • When: Midday, sunny if possible; weekly to monthly during ice-free season
  • How (without equipment): Note depth you can still see a dark object (dock leg/mark). If you have a Secchi disk, record standard depth
  • Record: Date/time, location, depth seen, wind (dir/speed), sky (sun/overcast), recent rain
2) Shoreline Condition & Erosion Notes
  • Where: Your stretch of shore or assigned segments
  • When: After big storms and at seasonal highs/lows
  • How: Walk the same route; note undercuts, slumps, exposed roots, new sediment fans. Mark approximate lengths
  • Record: What changed since last time; photos in words (e.g., "2-ft undercut over 30 ft at maple point")
3) Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Watch
  • What to look for: Paint-like scum, bright-green/turquoise streaks, pea-soup water
  • When: Warm, calm periods—especially after heat + rain
  • Record: Color, texture, area (e.g., "15×40 ft"), wind, recent weather. Avoid contact
  • Action: Report promptly using your local channel; include your notes
4) Aquatic Plant & AIS Check
  • Where: Ramps, marinas, down-wind coves
  • When: Monthly May–September; after busy weekends
  • How: Rake tosses from the same spots; shoreline sweep for scratchy shells on rocks/docks
  • Record: Presence/absence, fragments, plain-language description; "possible AIS" if unsure
5) Ice & Winter Notes
  • First safe foot-traffic ice (not advice), first open water in spring, and aeration openings behavior
  • Record: Dates, locations, thickness where measured safely, caution areas

Data Quality Basics

  • Location: Name the bay/cove/ramp; add GPS when possible
  • Units: Use the same units each time (in/cm, ft/mph, °F/°C)
  • Rounding: Be consistent (e.g., nearest inch or tenth of a foot)
  • Duplicates: One entry per site/time; edit instead of re-submitting

Safety & Ethics

  • No trespassing; get permission for private docks
  • PFDs on the water; work in pairs in remote areas
  • Do not enter bloom water or collect chemicals/unknowns
  • Neutral tone: Share facts, not accusations; agencies handle enforcement
  • Privacy: Don't publicly post precise home addresses with findings

How to Share Your Data

Pick the channel your group uses:

  • Shared spreadsheet/log with tabs for clarity, shoreline, HABs, AIS, and notes
  • Email template (see below) for one-off reports
  • Hotline/online form for HABs or spills when provided by agencies
Email Template

Subject: Observation – [Lake] – [Type] – [Location/Bay] – [Date]

Body:

  • What: (e.g., "paint-like green scum along 80 ft of leeward shore")
  • Where: (ramp name/GPS/landmark)
  • When: (date/time)
  • Conditions: (wind/weather/recent rain)
  • Extent/depth: (size or depth seen)
  • Contact: (name/phone if follow-up is okay)

Minimal Gear List

  • Clipboard or waterproof notebook; pencil
  • Tape measure or marked line; small ruler
  • Flagging tape for landmarks; watch/phone for time
  • PFD, whistle, throw rope if on the water; sun protection

Seasonal Cadence (Example)

  • April–May: Launch meeting; refresh protocols; assign segments; first clarity read
  • June–August: Weekly clarity; monthly AIS/shoreline checks; HAB watch after heat/rain
  • September–October: End-of-season summaries; fall planting/erosion fixes; share highlights
  • Winter: Ice notes; plan next year; equipment refresh

Data to Decisions (Close the Loop)

  • Share a monthly one-pager: highlights, concerns, asks
  • Trigger actions: erosion fixes after storms, no-wake reminders during high water, AIS ramp outreach during peak traffic
  • Grant support: Use totals (feet of buffer added, clarity trend) and before/after notes in applications

Quick Checklists

Observer
  • Same site/time
  • Conditions logged (wind/weather/rain)
  • Clear, neutral description
Coordinator
  • Data reviewed weekly
  • Issues routed (HAB/spill/AIS)
  • Thank-you + feedback to volunteers

Bottom Line

Pick a few repeatable observations, log them consistently, and share promptly. Small, reliable data streams are how communities spot problems early and prove what works.

Related Topics

Five Protocols

  1. Water Clarity (Secchi-Style)
  2. Shoreline Condition & Erosion
  3. HAB Watch
  4. Aquatic Plant & AIS Check
  5. Ice & Winter Notes

Data Quality Tips

  • Same method, place, time
  • Write what you see
  • Log conditions
  • Keep it safe & simple

Safety Reminders

  • No trespassing
  • PFDs on water
  • Avoid bloom contact
  • Work in pairs
  • Neutral tone

Minimal Gear

  • Clipboard & pencil
  • Tape measure
  • Flagging tape
  • PFD & sun protection

Contribute to Science

Your observations help build the long-term record that supports better lake management, faster responses, and successful grant applications.

Get Started