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The two Environmental Science classes from Carlinville High School monitored the lake
at Beaver Dam State Park in Macoupin County, Illinois, on November 7, 2002.

Click on the small thumbnail images to see full-sized photos from the activity.

The GPS locks onto satellite signals to pinpoint the exact location of the lake. N   39.21023 degrees W -89.97508 degrees
The secchi disk indicates turbidity.  How many inches below the surface can we see the black-white pattern on the disk?  Only 20 inches, though groups varied somewhat in this determination.
The water depth sampler allows us to collect water from three feet below the surface.  We use the samples to determine the BOD of the lake water.
A CBL and extra-long temperature probe measure the water temperature at the surface, and at depths of 4' and 8'.			12:30 p.m. Air temperature        16.1 degrees Celsius Water at the surface   8.2 Water at 4'                6.8 Water at 8'                6.8 What does this indicate about bodies of water?
Macroinvertebrates give us an idea of the water quality since some species do not tolerate high levels of pollution.  Students netted leaves and debris from the lake edge and sorted through it to find snails, worms, immature insects, and other specimens.			An immature damselfly is a good sign; it has a low pollution tolerance index number.
Students had practiced the procedures in the classroom, so they were prepared to carry out the monitoring within the hour we had on site.   Add a beautiful, clear day, and the result is a good learning experience.