Citizens who have volunteered their time to monitor precipitation or surface water on area lakes were treated to lunch at the Cook County Community Center last month. In addition to lunch, attendees heard an interesting presentation on what happens with the data that they collect.
Water monitoring within Cook County has taken place over the past 30 years. Individuals have volunteered their time to monitor precipitation or surface water, with some monitoring both.
Citizens have monitored on their own or as a volunteer with home owner associations, lake associations, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, and the Cook County Soil and Water Conservation District. “The data collected by these monitors is invaluable and used by a number of different agencies to observe precipitation trends and surface water quality,” said Water Plan Coordinator Ilena Berg.
To thank these monitors, a luncheon was held on May 14 to highlight how the information collected is used by numerous agencies. Over 100 monitors from the past three years were invited from both Lake and Cook Counties.
“Cook and Lake County SWCD would like to thank these volunteers and any who were missed at the celebration for monitoring in Cook County,” said Berg.
If you would like to learn more about volunteer monitoring, visit www.cookswcd.org or call 218-387- 3647.
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