Lake monitoring bottle guide

Last updated on May 12, 2022

Below is a visual guide about what your lake monitoring sampling bottle kit should include and how they should be used.

Note: dependent on our supplier, the 250ml bottle may not be the exact shape.

Level 3 study bottle guide
Order / Sample ID Bottles Location Instructions

1

REG @ 0.5 m

2 plastic bottles (one white, one black), 250 ml Taken 0.5 m from surface Lower the water collection device to the depth of 0.5 m and drop the weight to close the ends. Retrieve the water sampler and fill, seal, and label each of the bottles in the photo to the left.

2

REP @ 0.5 m

2 plastic bottles (one white, one black), 250 ml Taken 0.5 m from surface

Repeat step 1 above or use the remaining water in the water collection device (after filling the regular bottle) to fill your replicate sample.

Only one replicate sample is required per lake for each sampling visit.

3

BLF (Blank Sample)

1 plastic bottle, white, 250 ml Not applicable Fill, seal, and label the 250 ml plastic bottle in the photo to the left using DI water while still on the boat. 

4

 REG @ mid-depth

1 plastic bottle, white, 250 ml Taken mid-depth Lower the water collection device to the mid-level depth for your site and drop the weight to close the ends. Retrieve the water sampler and fill, seal and label the bottles in the image to the left.

5

 REG @ bottom

1 plastic bottle, white, 250 ml Taken 1 m above bottom

Lower the water collection device to the bottom depth and drop the weight to close the ends.

The bottom depth is defined as being either 1 m above the measured lake bottom at sites 50 m or less in depth, or 50 m at sites greater than 50 m in depth. Retrieve the water sampler and fill, seal and label the bottles in the image to the left.
      REG = Regular sample. REP = Replicate sample. BLF = Blank sample

For each regular sample, record any water odour or colour observations on the field sheet.

  • Odour: smell water in sampler for odour. Example descriptors: nil (no odour), organic, sulphur (rotten eggs), metallic, etc.
  • Water colour: observe water colour in sampler preferably against a white backdrop. Example descriptors: clear, green, brown, cloudy, etc.

Download the bottle guide (PDF)