Volunteer Lake Monitoring

Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program

Happy volunteer
The Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP)has been an important component of Michigan’s inland lakes monitoring program for over 30 years, which makes it the second oldest volunteer monitoring program for lakes in the country. The primary purpose of this cooperative program is to help citizen volunteers monitor indicators of water quality in their lake and document changes in lake quality over time. Volunteers receive training on how to collect data important to determining the quality and health of lakes such as using a Secchi disc to monitor water clarity and collecting water samples to test for other indicators of water quality such as dissolved oxygen, phosphorus and temperature. CLMP is a program of the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps), a partnership of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the Great Lakes Commission, the Huron River Watershed Council, Michigan Lake and Stream Associations, and Michigan State University Extension.

Currently 221 of the over 10,000 lakes in Michigan participate in the CLMP. Check here to see if your favorite recreation spot is on the list. Go to the CLMP websitefor more details about the program and how you can sign up to become a volunteer monitor on your lake!
 

Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch

Photo by - Jo Latimore

The Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch, part of the Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP)is a program designed to prevent and control aquatic invasive species. To avoid having a lake invaded and overrun with exotic plants it is necessary to use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies: monitoring, early detection, rapid response, maintenance control and preventive management.


Currently there are more than 20 lakes participating in the Exotic Aquatic Plant Watch Program. For more information and to find out how you can participate, please review the program’s brochure.

Michigan’s Clean Boats Clean Waters

Michigan’s Clean Boats Clean Waters program trains volunteers to show boaters how to inspect their equipment, demonstrating cleaning techniques for boats and trailers and by sharing educational information about invasive species.  Unfortunately, invasive non-native plants, fishes and other organisms disrupt aquatic ecosystems. They also interfere with the enjoyment associated with boating and damage recreational watercraft. Volunteers can make a big difference in Michigan’s efforts to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species from one body of water to another.

For more information about how to become a volunteer or how you can inspect your boating equipment check out their website through Michigan Sea Grant.

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