Project Chief

Lori Fuller

CURRENT CONDITIONS

DATA CENTER

• Real-time data ()
  • Streamflow ()
  • Groundwater ()
  • Water quality ()
  • Precipitation ()
  • Lakes ()

• Historical data
  • Streamflow ()
  • Groundwater ()
  • Water quality ()
  • Annual Data Reports:
     text () | map ()

• WaterWatch ()
  • Floods/High flows ()
  • DroughtWatch ()
  • Groundwater ()

USGS Michigan Water Science Center

USGS in Your State

USGS Water Science Centers are located in each state.

Predicting Water Clarity Overview

Lake Water-Clarity Assessment for Michigan Inland Lakes

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), has been monitoring the quality of inland lakes in Michigan through the Lake Water Quality Assessment monitoring program. This program is funded through the Michigan Clean Michigan Initiative, and the USGS Cooperative Program. However, only a portion of Michigan's inland lakes can be conventionally sampled each year. A technique was developed by USGS, modeled after Olmanson and others (2001), to predict water clarity and corresponding trophic state index (TSI) values based on the Carlson's Trophic State Index (TSI) in inland lakes greater than 20 acres using satellite remote sensing data.

Michigan Lake Water Clarity Interactive Map Viewer Available online are statewide layers with predicted Secchi-disk and corresponding trophic state index (TSI) values for Michigan inland lakes. To view available predictions for Michigan inland lakes greater than 20 acres without interference from clouds, cloud shadows, dense vegetation or shoreline, go to the Michigan Lake Water Clarity Interactive Map Viewer .

Remote Sensing - Reports/Fact Sheets

Scientific Investigations Report 2011–5007	Fact Sheet 2007–3022	Scientific Investigations Report 2004–5086

Downloadable Data - MetaData

We are interested to learn how the predicted water-quality data is being used. Please contact Lori Fuller at lmfuller@usgs.gov with your information and project.

Data is available for download in shapefile format with metadata:

Precited Trophic State index based on Secchi-disk transparency

2002 TSI(SDT) — shapefile metadata
2003-05 TSI(SDT) — shapefile metadata
2007-08 TSI(SDT) — shapefile metadata
2009-10 TSI(SDT) — shapefile metadata
2011 TSI(SDT) — shapefile metadata

Shapefiles of the distributions are contained in a ZIP file (.ZIP). Microsoft® Windows® XP and Windows® 7 have a built-in programs that allows a file or folder to be compressed or uncompressed. You can also use WinZip®, PKZip®, or similar program to extract in Microsoft® Windows®; use Stuffit Expander™ or similar to unzip on Macintosh; Use UnZip or similar program to extract on UNIX® computers.

NOTICE: Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Federal Government.

"Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries."
"WinZip is a registered Trademark of WinZip International LLC"
"PKZIP is a registered trademarks of PKWARE, Inc."
"StuffIt Expander is a trademark of Smith Micro Software, Inc."
"UNIX is a registered trademark of The Open Group."

All other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners.

Remote Sensing - Links

Remote Sensing of Water Resources — University of Minnesota

LakeSat.org — Mapping Lake Clarity: About the Map

LakeSat.org — Lake Water Clarity Monitoring and Analysis With Satellite Remote Sensing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources — Self-Help Citizen Lake Monitoring Network

Michigan Surface Water Information Management System (MiSWIMS)
Interactive map-based system that allows users to view information about Michigan’s surface water

http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/miswims/

Point of Contact

Comments about this site can be sent to Lori Fuller.