Lakeside Laboratory began a study using a hydrological buoy on West Lake Okoboji to gather environmental data that will help improve water quality in the lake.
The Water Chemistry Laboratory at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory – Regents Resource Center is a satellite environmental laboratory located in Milford, Iowa. It conducts analytical testing on both public and private drinking water, groundwater, surface water and wastewater samples.
Lakeside’s newest building is the Waitt Lab, a gift of the Friends of Lakeside Lab. Opened in 1998, it contains the Bovbjerg Water Chemistry Laboratory, two classrooms, several offices and Andrea’s Atrium, which is used for receptions and gatherings.
Staff provides educational and outreach services for area students and citizens, for college students and interns through classes offered at Iowa Lakeside Lab and area community colleges, and for local water testing facilities.
- Supported the installation of a scientific research buoy on Lake West Okoboji as part of the Global Lakes Ecological Observation Network (GLEON). The buoy links data from West Okoboji with lakes around the world, providing benefits to both the global scientific and Okoboji communities by continuously monitoring water quality and weather data.
- Provided mentoring and technical support to college students enrolled in Iowa Lakeside Laboratory’s Limnology summer course. Support was also given to northwest Iowa middle school students involved with the Hygienic Laboratory’s Student Mentorship Program. Students displayed their projects at local and state venues, including the state capitol.
- Continued to increase testing capabilities under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act standards to better serve northwest Iowa’s water quality needs.
- Performed outreach programs and presentations to 16 groups, including nearly 250 students.
- Continued partnership with the Friends of Lakeside - Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project (CLAMP). This program, in its 17th year of monitoring the water quality of Dickinson County lakes, reports data throughout the summer at www.clamp1909.blogspot.com.