Water Quality
print friendly version
screen friendly version
Lake Lingo
Bathymetry
A lake bathymetric map is used to record and display lake depths as contours in much the same way that a topographic map displays contour elevations of the land surface. Bathymetric maps are useful for many purposes, including surface navigation, recreation (fishing & swimming), invasive plant surveys, and water quality monitoring (how else would you be able to find the "deep hole?”). Accurate information about lake depth is extremely valuable to people who study and monitor lakes. Biologists, for example use depth, along with water quality data, to determine the extent to which lakes and ponds are able to support a coldwater fishery. Water depth is also a major factor in determining whether or not, and to what extent, a lake stratifies during the summer. The amount of water (volume) contained in a lake basin is determined from depth data, and volume is used to determine the rate at which a lake flushes (flushing is often expressed as the number of times per year that the total volume of the lake is replaced). Invasive Plant Patrollers use depth maps to identify littoral areas (areas shallow enough to support rooted aquatic plant growth), to designate survey sectors, and to record survey data. Download a bathymetric depth map for your lake on the VLMP website at www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org/lakes
Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program
vlmp@mainevlmp.org
24 Maple Hill Road, Auburn, ME 04210
(207) 783-7733
www.MaineVolunteerLakeMonitors.org
copyright 2010 Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program | website comments to: vlmp@mainevlmp.org
