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Future remote sensing research activities at the DNR will concentrate on an increase in Earth observation monitoring capabilities. These research activities include the optical and biogeochemical characterization of lakes across Wisconsin and the…
Monitoring Objectives The monitoring objective is to assess lake water quality on approximately 8,000 lakes in Wisconsin by inferring water clarity from satellite imagery on an annual basis. This information is freely available to the public as…
What is water clarity? Water clarity or Secchi disk depth is probably the most common limnological parameter measured in lakes today. The Secchi disk was invented by Father Pietro Angelo Secchi, an astronomer and scientific adviser to the Pope…
The capabilities for the remote sensing of water quality at the DNR are tied to the availability of Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat 8 OLI-TIRS data through the NASA/USGS Landsat Program. This data is used for the operational satellite retrieval of water…
Remote sensing presents a cost efficient complementary approach for a more comprehensive assessment of lakes across Wisconsin. The use of remote sensing for the assessment of our aquatic resources provides several advantages compared to conventional…
Since its genesis in the early 1970s, the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership has been recognized as a national model of collaboration. Three groups form the core of this team: the DNR supplies the technical expertise and regulatory authority; the UW-…
Frequently asked questions about lakes are answered on this page.Water Levels and DroughtDoes drought make blue-green algae worse?
Every waterbody has critical habitat - those areas that are most important to the overall health of the aquatic plants and animals. Remarkably, 80 percent of the plants and animals on the state's endangered and threatened species list spend all or…