The Secchi Dip-In is a demonstration of the potential of volunteer monitors to gather environmentally important information on our lakes, rivers, and estuaries. Volunteers have been submitting information during the annual Dip-In since 1994. Please join them in this international effort to track changes in water quality! The Secchi Dip-In is part of Lakes Appreciation Month, where we celebrate our lakes throughout the month of July each year.

How to get involved!

ORGANIZE  – Work through your local lake or watershed association or use SciStarter to plan a social event. Create and distribute advertisements locally.

PREPARE to take measurements by watching the NALMS student-produced “How to Take a Secchi Depth” video.

SHARE your activities on social media! Make sure to use our hashtags – #SDI2019, #LakesAppreciation

SUBMIT your data to the Secchi Dip-In Database. There are a few ways you can do this:

  • Secchi Dip-In Spreadsheet: The folks at Gold Systems/AWQMS have developed a spreadsheet template that can be downloaded, filled in, and returned to NALMS via email. Check out our how-to video on how to use the template!
  • Lake Observer App: You can also participate in the Secchi Dip-In and support lake-monitoring efforts by submitting your data through the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network’s (GLEON) Lake Observer App. You can use a mobile app, the new web-based data entry form or a batch data entry form (registration and login is required). Training videos for downloading and using the mobile app to submit data to the Secchi Dip-In can be found here: https://www.lakeobserver.org/guide.
  • Secchi Dip-In Paper Form: If you prefer the old-fashioned way of entering your data on a paper form, you can download a copy of the paper form here and send it to us via email or regular mail (instructions provided on the form).
  • Even for those using the spreadsheet or the app, we recommend also recording your observations on a paper form or in a field notebook.
  • Please submit via the app or one of the other methods listed above … but not more than one!

FEEDBACK  –  Share your thoughts and photos! E-mail secchidipin@nalms.org.

Yellowwood Lake, Yellowwood State Forest, Monroe County, Indiana. June 15, 2016. Photographed by Vanessa M. Snyder.

Yellowwood Lake, Yellowwood State Forest, Monroe County, Indiana. Photographed by Vanessa M. Snyder on June 15, 2016.

Thank you to our 2019 sponsors!