As we speak, we are investing in a suite of sensors that provide high resolution data (several measurements are taken each day) for our lakes. Sensors include temperature strings that provide thermal stratification data; sensors that test for everything from temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen to algal pigments, dissolved organic matter; and many more.

In the upcoming year, we will be testing out a relatively new type of sensor that can measure concentrations of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus that promote algal blooms; for instance, Systea WIZ probes that provide ammonia, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total organic carbon data.

For about a decade, our team has also been implanting some fish with transmitters that allow our researchers to determine which habitats they use, and which they avoid during different parts of the season.

Until recently, all of these measurements were made manually—by going out onto the lake to take samples and using handheld sondes. In some cases, it has been possible to leave an automated sensor in the lake and return at a later date to collect the data.

However, these new networked instruments allow us to gather much more information and to view it in real-time from anywhere—even the comfort of our desks.