Temperature/Dissolved Oxygen Meters
Did you know that you can collect temperature and dissolved oxygen data on your lake? The Indiana Clean Lakes Program has a number of meters around the state that volunteer lake monitors can borrow to take readings. Collecting temperature and dissolved oxygen data can give you valuable insight into the inner workings of your lake.
Procedure for Using the YSI Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Meters on Volunteer Monitored Lakes
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has purchased seven YSI Model 550A temperature and dissolved oxygen meters for participants in the Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program to use on their lakes. We hope that our volunteers will be interested in measuring temperature and dissolved oxygen profiles of their lakes.
Temperature profiles not only tell us whether the lake is stratified, but also the depth of the surface mixing layer (called the epilimnion) and the depth of the bottom non-mixed layer (called the hypolimnion). The oxygen profile tells us whether oxygen is plentiful throughout the lake or if not, the amount of the lake that has insufficient oxygen. This, of course, is particularly important to the fish and gives us insight into how biologically productive the lake is.
For Example:
Martin Lake is thermally stratified and has a fairly shallow mixing zone (epilimnion). Bottom temperatures are very cold. Oxygen declines significantly below 8 meters. This suggests that there is significant Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) in the sediments. This organic matter is food for bacteria that consume the oxygen as they feed.
Because both temperature and dissolved oxygen change with the seasons, volunteers are encouraged to take additional measurements on their lake – but no more than once per month.
Each meter is expensive ($1,000) and fragile. Please use with care. You will be trained by SWCD or SPEA staff before you are allowed to borrow a meter. If you are uncertain about features of the meters or how to use them after you’ve been trained, please call for refresher instructions.
Here is the procedure for borrowing the meters:
- Call the nearest SWCD office or SPEA to reserve the meter for a specific date (addresses and telephone numbers are given following). Arrange a time when you can pick up the meter.
- The local SWCD or SPEA staff will train you on proper use and care of the meter during your first visit. This training will take approximately 30 minutes.
- You will have to sign for the meter on a standard form.
- Take the meter home and make the measurements on your lake (measurement instructions are on a separate sheet and enclosed in the meter case).
- Return the meter to the SWCD office or SPEA the same or next day. We can only allow you 1-2 days at a time with the meter so that it is available for others to use.
Where to Sign Out a Meter
Elkhart County SWCD
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Fulton County SWCD 1252 E. 100 S, Suite D Rochester, IN 46975-8036 574-223-3220 ext. 3 Contact : Chris Gardner |
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| Kosciusko County SWCD 217 E. Bell Drive Warsaw, IN 46582 (574) 267-7445 ext. 116 Contact: Darci Zolman |
LaGrange County SWCD 910 South Detroit Street LaGrange, IN 46761-2235 (260) 463-3471 ext. 3 Contact: Dona Hunter dona.hunter@in.nacdnet.net |
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| Marshall County SWCD 2903 Gary Drive Plymouth, IN 46563-1825 574-936-2024 ext. 3 Contact: Wanda Norris |
Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center 2388 S 500 W (260) 799-5869 Contact: Jane Litwiller http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea |
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| School of Public and Environmental Affairs Indiana University 1315 East 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47405 (812) 855-4556 Contact: Bill Jones |
Steuben County SWCD Peachtree Plaza 200 1220 N. 200W Angola, IN 46703-8901 (260) 665-3211 ext. 3 Contact: Kayleen Hart |
Instructions for Taking Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen Measurements
Temperature and oxygen profiles should generally be made from the deepest water depths in your lake. You will have to anchor your boat – otherwise drift will cause inaccurate depth measurements.
1. Turn on meter and calibrate according to instructions.
**The meter must be turned on for 20 minutes prior to calibration to allow the electronics to stabilize.
2. Once calibrated, remove probe from calibration/storage chamber.
3. Lower probe into water to desired depth.
(Always start measurements with the probe at just below the water’s surface. Then make measurements at one-meter intervals, for example, 1m, 2m, 3m, 4m, etc. The cord is marked with tape at these intervals. Be careful to not let probe hit the bottom sediments.)
4. Press MODE button until meter is in “dissolved oxygen % air saturation” mode.
5. Allow temperature to stabilize (about 30 seconds).
6. Record temperature on a data sheet.
7. Raise and lower the probe gently (about 2 inches per second) until % air saturation stabilizes. Record this percentage.
8. Press MODE button once so dissolved oxygen is displayed in “mg/L”. Again raise and lower the probe until stable. Record this value.
9. Lower probe to next depth.
10. Press the MODE button to return to “% air saturation” mode. Repeat steps 5 – 9 as necessary.
11. When finished, rinse probe with distilled water from the squirt bottle. Place probe in storage chamber. Turn off meter.
REMEMBER: Never hold the meter over the water. Keep it securely inside the boat.
12. Send completed data sheet to: Bill Jones, SPEA 347, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 or use our online data entry form.
Report any difficulties to SWCD staff.