Lake Partner Program

Our Mission

The goal of the Lake Partner Program is to protect the quality of Ontario's inland lakes by involving citizens in a volunteer-based water quality monitoring program.

The Lake Partner Program

The Lake Partner Program is a province-wide, volunteer-based, water-quality monitoring program. Volunteers collect total phosphorus samples and make monthly water clarity observations on their lakes. This information will allow the early detection of changes in the nutrient status and/or the water clarity of the lake due to the impacts of shoreline development, climate change and other stresses.

Your Involvement

Volunteer involvement requires the collection of one water sample for total phosphorus in May for lakes on the Canadian Shield and one sample each month (May-Oct) for lakes that are off the shield. These samples are returned postage paid to the Dorset Environmental Science Centre for analysis. In addition, volunteers are asked to make a minimum of 6 (monthly) water clarity observations using a Secchi disk. These observations are mailed to Dorset at the end of the summer.

Upcoming Sample Season In early winter, Lake Partner Program volunteers will receive their sampling kits for the upcoming sample season. There are a few small changes this year in the sampling directions. Please make sure to tighten the lids on the sample tubes to avoid leaking. Those Volunteers Collecting a Single Sample Remember, it is important to collect this sample during the spring turnover period. In most cases this will be in the month of May and most samples should be taken and returned to Dorset by the May 24 weekend.

Additional Information 6078e 2010 Lake Partner Program Registration 4464e Ontario's Lake Partner Program (April 2004) 3731e01 The Ontario Lake Partner Program A Closer Look at Your Lake (June 2005) 4661e Bulletin#1 – What are Algae 5074e Interpretation of TP and Secchi Results Sampling Resources 4663e03 Lake Partner Program - Sampling Instructions, Step-by-Step Guide 4663e02 Secchi observation sheets (for printout)     Secchi observation spreadsheet (for electronic data) To email water clarity readings, fill out this form and send to: lakepartner@ontario.ca   Results 2008 Lake Partner Secchi Data 2008 Lake Partner Total Phosphorus Data 5075e Pre 2002 Total Phosphorus Annual Means