Storm events wash sediment, nutrients, pollutants from land to water affecting water clarity. LSPA staff and volunteers have been collecting water samples over the last few weeks and transparency, or water clarity, as measured with a Secchi Disk has been greatly reduced due to the heavy rains.

Below is a graphic showing how the Secchi Disk works followed by graphs of recent data illustrating the impact storms have had on lake clarity. The red boxes highlight the Secchi Disk readings in July, which were reduced in almost all of the locations monitored. Click here for more information about water quality parameters measured in the lab.