UF IFAS Florida LAKEWATCH

UF IFAS Florida LAKEWATCH In 1991, the Florida Legislature recognized the importance of the program and established Florida LAKEWATCH in the state statutes (Florida Statute 1004.49.).

Florida LAKEWATCH is a citizen volunteer lake monitoring program that facilitates "hands-on" citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes, estuaries, rivers and springs through monthly monitoring activities. Coordinated through the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences/FFGS Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, the program has been in existence since 1986. LAKEW

ATCH is now one of the largest lake monitoring programs in the nation with over 1800 trained citizens currently monitoring 525 lakes, 175 estuary stations, 125 river stations, 20 coastal dune lakes and 10 spring runs in 57 counties.

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09/01/2026

Warm weather means more time on Florida’s lakes. Before you head to the ramp, take a few minutes to give your boat trailer a careful look.

A safe day on the water starts on the road. Rinse your trailer, inspect for rust, check your tires, tighten wheel nuts, and make sure your hitch and fastener pin are secure. These small checks can help prevent breakdowns, delays, and unsafe towing situations.

Whether you are heading out fishing, sampling, or enjoying a day on the lake, remember to tow safe and launch happy.

Check back this September for more boat and trailer maintenance tips!

🌊 Who you gonna call? Got questions about Florida’s waterbodies? 🌿 Dial 1-800-LAKEWATCH (1-800-525-3928) and dive into t...
08/27/2026

🌊 Who you gonna call?

Got questions about Florida’s waterbodies?

🌿 Dial 1-800-LAKEWATCH (1-800-525-3928) and dive into the answers!

Our amazing Regional Coordinators and staff are here to train and work with volunteers to collect water samples, compile the data, and share findings. They’re your go-to experts for lake management questions and can even guide you to local resources. 🌟

08/25/2026

🌊 Watery Word: Rivulet! 🌊

08/20/2026

🐦 Meet the Green Heron: Florida's Tiny Fisher and Tool User 🌿

The Green Heron may be small and easy to overlook, but it's one of the few birds known to use tools. This stealthy wetland hunter sometimes drops insects or other objects onto the water's surface to lure fish within striking range.

Learn about its unique hunting behavior, distinctive ""kyow"" call, nesting habits, and where to spot this fascinating bird in Florida.

🔗 Read the full article: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/P56E910UZhkRp -heron

08/18/2026

🌊 Family, Science, and Stewardship: Meet LAKEWATCH Volunteers John and Bella 🐬

What started as a way to support Bella's interest in science has become a meaningful family tradition. From collecting monthly water quality samples to unforgettable wildlife encounters, John and Bella are helping build the long-term datasets that support lake management and water quality decisions.

Their story is a great reminder that stewardship can start at any age.

🔗 Read the full article: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/P56E910UZhkRp -bella-michael

08/13/2026

🤝 Stronger Together: Pasco County's LaMP and LAKEWATCH Partnership in Action 🌊

What happens when local governments and citizen scientists work together? Pasco County's Lake Management Program (LaMP) and Florida LAKEWATCH have expanded lake monitoring across the county, growing from about five to 25 lakes in just one year.

By combining community engagement with long-term lake data, the partnership is helping support lake management, resilience planning, and future restoration efforts.

🔗 Read the full article: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/P56E910UZhkRp -together

08/11/2026

🧪 A Journey from Florida Lakes to Wisconsin Labs: Tracking Mercury Through the Food Web 🐟

How does mercury move through Florida's aquatic food webs? Florida LAKEWATCH and Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences PhD student Baylor Lynch traveled to the USGS Mercury, Metals, and Microplastics (M3) Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, to study how mercury accumulates from plankton and aquatic insects to forage fish and top predators.

Using samples collected from Lochloosa Lake, Lake Weir, Campbell Lake, and Lake Louisa in Florida, this research will improve our understanding of ecosystem health and help inform fish consumption guidance.

🔗 Read the full article: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/P56E910UZhkRp -journey-from-florida-lakes-to-wisconsin-labs

🌊 New Publication HighlightA new paper in BioInvasions Records documents the spread of the invasive swamp eel in Florida...
08/06/2026

🌊 New Publication Highlight

A new paper in BioInvasions Records documents the spread of the invasive swamp eel in Florida. With its ability to survive in low-oxygen waters and even move across land, this species presents a growing risk to native fish and lake ecosystems.

LAKEWATCH master's student Noah Peterson contributed to this collaborative study alongside researchers from the FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Museum, and U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center. The findings provide valuable insights to support monitoring and management of this invasive species.
We are pleased to share this work with the LAKEWATCH community.

📖 Learn more in this Research Highlights feature: https://go.ufl.edu/swamp-eel

08/04/2026

🌊 Sargassum: The Golden Tide is Back in the Florida Keys 🌊

Why is so much sargassum washing up across the Keys? Florida Sea Grant Agent Shelly Krueger explores what's driving the 2026 Sargassum Inundation Event, why the region is especially affected, and the impacts on beaches, waterways, and coastal ecosystems.

🔗 Read the full article: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/monroeco/2026/06/17/2026-sargassum-inundation-event/

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7922 NW 71st Street
Gainesville, FL
32653

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