Field Notes

Water temperature makes a big difference in a lake. By taking the lake’s temperature during sampling, we get important context for lake characteristics like dissolved oxygen and water density. Water temperature also impacts what lives (fish and other organisms) and grows (algae, aquatic plants and weeds) in the lake.

Here are the current surface and bottom layer temperatures (measured at the deepest point) of the 14 lakes sampled by the Lilly Center research team. Keep in mind that weather conditions have an impact on the surface water temperature! These measurements were taken during the week of July 27, 2020, and the air temperature was around 80 degrees.