Level 1 study procedures and documents

Step 1: Water temperature

• The water temperature reading is conducted in surface water at your lakes predetermined sampling site
• Place the thermometer over the side of the boat until the thermometer is submerged just below the surface of the water (a line can be attached to the thermometer to facilitate this, if needed)
• Wait at least one minute before reading and recording your temperature results. The reading should be taken immediately after taking the thermometer out of the water and recorded to the nearest 0.1°C

Step 2: Secchi depth

• Remove any hats and/or sunglasses – these will interfere with your measurement
• Lower the Secchi disk over the shaded side of the boat
• Slowly lower the disk until the black and white pattern is no longer visible
  • Note the measurement on the tape measure (in metres) between the Secchi disk and the surface of the water (estimate to the nearest 0.01 m)
  • Record this as Distance A
• Pull the disk up until the black and white pattern just appears again and record this distance as Distance B
• Average the two measurements [(Distance A + Distance B)/2] = Secchi depth

Step 3: Check and fill in the remainder of the form

• Please fill in the entire form, including information on current weather and surface water conditions, and send to the BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) office once the sampling season is complete
  • The data form has space for one site on the same water body for the entire season
  • If you need more, please use a separate copy of the data form

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