Volunteer While Recreating this Summer

While local residents are out enjoying Utah’s many lakes and reservoirs this summer, they can also collect water samples to help USU Extension and Utah’s Division of Water Quality protect the quality of the water.

Utah State University Extension’s Water Quality Program is seeking volunteers to monitor Utah water bodies this summer.

According to Nancy Mesner, Utah State University Extension water quality specialist, volunteers from across the state have helped monitor Utah lakes and reservoirs since summer of 2002. This year the program is expanding. Volunteers will have the opportunity to measure water transparency, collect lake samples to be sent to a lab for water quality analyses and collect samples at beaches or in rivers for bacterial analysis.

“We appreciate the help of our dedicated volunteers,” Mesner said. “The data they collect provides important information about the lake’s health, which is used by the Utah Division of Water Quality and lake managers.”

Volunteers can monitor the lake or river of their choice. No experience is necessary, equipment is provided and volunteers are trained onsite. Volunteers are asked to collect a river sample or measure lake transparency at least once a month between May and September, but are encouraged to sample more often if they wish. 

“Our volunteers include high school students, scout groups, teachers and other interested citizens,” Mesner said. “This is a great opportunity for science fairs, scout badges or service projects. USU Extension Water Quality Program personnel are happy to visit clubs or school groups to discuss how these samples help us protect the aquatic life and recreational quality of these waters.”

Lake monitors will need a motor boat, canoe or kayak to get to the sampling site. River and beach samples can be taken from the shore. Those monitoring are asked to process the samples as instructed and to return samples and information to USU Extension.

The Utah Lake Watch Program is a cooperative effort of the Utah Division of Water Quality and USU Extension. For further information, visit the website.

For information on volunteering, contact the Extension water quality office at 435-797-2580 or email nancy.mesner@usu.edu.

Related links:

• Utah Lake Watch video
• USU Water Quality Program
• USU Extension

Writer: Julene Reese, 435-797-0810

Contact: Nancy Mesner, 435-797-7541