Water levels on Lake Pend Oreille began rising on March 28th, signaling that summer is on its way. With this, we begin to ramp up for our volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program!
Dedicated volunteers, otherwise known as Water Quality Stewards, take on the commitment to monitor stations across the lake monthly from June through September. Each water sample collected throughout the summer is tested for water quality indicators like temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and E. coli, to name a few. By consistently collecting water samples, we gain valuable insights about the condition of the water.
Additionally, the stewards serve as eyes and ears on the water, letting us know if they see trash, dead fish, invasive weeds, signs of toxic algae outbreaks, or evidence of poorly managed shoreline development. By tracking these various indicators of water quality, we can better understand impacts to Lake Pend Oreille—and take action to protect and restore its waters.
This summer will be ICL’s fourth year managing the program, though the program’s 14th year overall. Each year we learn so much from our sampling—from identifying areas of impact to refining our monitoring methods. We currently monitor 13 stations that represent diverse areas on our beloved lake. Each station is selected through close collaboration with the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ), which uses our data to make management decisions that protect water quality.
One of the most enjoyable things about this program—aside from getting out on the water each month—is getting to know the Water Quality Stewards. Each person joins the program for unique reasons, all of which positively contribute to the program’s success. I am continuously inspired by their dedication to protecting our waters and keeping them swimmable, fishable and drinkable!
This season we are thrilled to have many of our long time stewards returning, but there are still a few more openings! You do not need a science background or any experience to help out, so please consider giving back to our waters by spending a few days this summer monitoring water quality on Lake Pend Oreille!
Volunteer training sessions will be held on May 21st and May 28th. Attending a training is not a commitment to being a steward, but training is mandatory if you want to participate. We encourage people with any level of interest to attend, learn how the sampling works, and meet our returning volunteers. Sign up here!
This program is a crucial part of ICL’s broader North Idaho Lakes program, which focuses on protecting the waters of Idaho’s panhandle from degradation, pollution, and poor land use management. Sign up to receive bi-monthly updates, focused on North Idaho water!