Cost-Effective Monitoring Using Lay Volunteers on Shipshewana Lake

High resolution, site specific tributary and lake water column data are required for the model calibration and verification phase of the Shipshewana Lake restoration project in north-central Indiana. The collection of these data would be prohibitively expensive without local commitment in the form of a lay monitoring program. Lay volunteers were trained in the operation of basic limnological instrumentation, sample collection, data recording, and sample shipping. Monitoring consisted of bi-monthly water quality monitoring and sampling at 11 stations in the lake and its tributaries, along with storm samples collected at 11 stations throughout the watershed. A total of 551 water samples were targeted for collection over a 12 month period. The results of the first six months of monitoring are presented along with a summary of cost-savings, difficulties encountered, and keys to the success of this program.