Iowa Lakeside Laboratory Regents Resource Center began a new study in May to collect environmental data using a hydrological buoy on West Lake Okoboji. The goal of the study is to gather data that would help improve water quality in the lake.

A hydrological buoy floats in 90 feet of water west of Sunset Beach on West Lake Okoboji. The buoy will collect and relay environmental information about the lake’s water quality every 10 minutes until late fall.

This project is considered intensive monitoring because it measures the water quality parameters every 10 minutes at one site on one lake. Data from this intensive monitoring will be paired with data from the Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Program (CLAMP), which is monitoring 27 sites on nine lakes in the Iowa Great Lakes region.

The State Hygienic Laboratory is one of nine sponsors of this study. Dennis Heimdal, environmental lab specialist, will assist with operations protocol, help maintain the buoy, synthesize water quality reports from data gathered and examine quality of data.

Phase I of the study uses a remote sensor on the buoy to collect the following measurements: air and water temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, carbon dioxide, relative humidity, barometric pressure, wind speed, wind direction in degrees and rainfall. The buoy sends a report every 10 minutes by radio to researchers at Lakeside Lab, including Heimdal. This data is evaluated and tracked for variations that may be indications of water quality.

The buoy floats about 800 feet west of the northern end of Sunset Beach in 90 feet of water. At night it flashes a yellow light that differentiates it from the white flashing lights of DNR hazard buoys.

Statistical information gathered from the buoy is available online (www.wqdatalive.com/public/470) or through smartphone app stores (search “wqdata live” and download “Live Datacenter”). Once the app is open, select West Okoboji from the list in the upper left corner. See online data by placing the cursor on the green dot that marks the buoy location.

Phase II is planned for later this summer and will include measurements of water temperature and dissolved oxygen every two meters from the surface to the bottom.

The research buoy will be removed in the fall prior to ice over.

In addition to the State Hygienic Laboratory, other supporters of this study include the Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance, Friends of Lakeside Lab, Okoboji Protective Association, Iowa State University, University of Iowa Office of Research and Economic Development, Iowa Lakeside Lab Regents Resource Center, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Danbom Engineering.