Our mission is to recruit and train citizen scientist volunteers to monitor water quality, identify and report Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) and promote watershed stewardship in Northwest Montana.

OUR PARTNERSHIP
The Northwest Montana Lakes Network is a longstanding partnership between Whitefish Lake Institute, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and over 50 Citizen Scientists.

These volunteers that monitor 41 lakes in Flathead, Lincoln, Lake and Missoula counties. Lakes have been chosen to represent ecological and recreational diversity and vary in size, depth, surrounding land ownership, and boat accessibility.
DATA COLLECTION
Through the work of the volunteers in the program, lake data is collected and results detailing the health and status of these lakes are reported to management agencies and the public.
The most important parameters monitored by volunteers are Secchi disk depth, temperature, and the presence of AIS; however, qualitative atmospheric data and water condition data are also recorded.


AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES MONITORING
Due to the growing concern and real threat to lakes from the colonization and infestation of Aquatic Invasive Species, NMLN has increased its effort to provide training for volunteers in early detection monitoring of invasive mussels and plants.




Citizen scientists participate in early detection and prevention of quagga and zebra mussels by helping collect plankton samples. These samples are preserved and sent to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks laboratory for microscopy analysis.
WATER CHEMISTRY SAMPLING
Once per summer (ideally between mid-July and mid-August), the program coordinator visits each lake with a Hydrolab to measure depth, temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, chlorophyll (a), total dissolved solids, salinity, oxidation reduction potential, and resistivity.
Integrated water chemistry samples are collected using a horizontal Van Dorn sampler at the annual summer visit and include total persulfate nitrogen, total phosphorous, and chlorophyll (a). Water samples are preserved and sent to the Flathead Lake Biological Station for analysis.
Water chemistry samples are important indicators of excessive nutrient loading in lakes and streams and may be linked to causing algae blooms.