After all of the recent storms, the lake level has risen a bit (no more than a few feet). It may fall again in the weeks to come.
We could have used a bit more luck this past sampling trip! It was a chilly, blustery morning/afternoon, which made staying still over the deep hole a bit challenging. In order to take a profile (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen) at the deep hole on a windy day, the anchor has to be dropped somewhat far from the intended sampling spot and in the direction of where the wind is coming from. Once the anchor is set, the wind *should* blow the boat right where we want to sample. It didn't quite work out like that this time around; Bill pulled up the anchor multiple times while I drove! Sadly, the Van Dorn water sampler I brought was not cooperating and I was unable to collect water samples below the surface. Fieldwork isn't always easy! Water samples for alkalinity, hardness, calcium, and chlorophyll-a analysis were collected at the surface.
The temperature did not change much between the 1 meter intervals, meaning that the lake is isothermal (about the same temperature from top to bottom) right now. We did do a little profile at a shallow location in the Northeast corner of the lake; the readings showed slightly higher temperatures and dissolved oxygen than those at the deep hole.
It was great to have Nikki volunteer to go out on the boat and assist with collecting data! She is interested in environmental studies and loves being on the water! Even when her hands were freezing, she was a great scribe and water collector. Loved sharing the love of science with her!