The existence of large-scale spatial and temporal trends in Wisconsin's lake water clarity is a topic that has not been thoroughly investigated. This study is an effort to reliably detect these trends by utilizing three inventories of satellite-derived lake water clarity predictions for over 2,000 lakes statewide. The data were analyzed statistically on a statewide, regional, lake type, and lake area basis. Statistically significant trends in clarity were found for the state overall, as well as for particular U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Ecoregions, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources hydrologic lake types, and lake area categories. Results will aid in the establishment of a statewide lake water clarity database and demonstrate the effectiveness of satellite-based assessments in detecting trends in water transparency over the past three decades and into the future. Documenting such trends is essential to targeting and evaluating lake management practices as well as raising public awareness of lake clarity conditions throughout the state.
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Peckham et al. (2006) studied this question.
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