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What is Florida LAKEWATCH?
Florida LAKEWATCH is one of the nation’s largest and most successful citizen science programs dedicated to water quality monitoring. Since 1986, it has empowered everyday Floridians to take an active role in monitoring and managing the state’s precious water resources—lakes, rivers, estuaries, springs, and coastal dune lakes.
Coordinated through the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and the Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program, LAKEWATCH trains volunteers to collect monthly water samples and data. These efforts provide critical, long-term insights into the health of Florida’s aquatic ecosystems.
In 1991, the Florida Legislature formally recognized the program’s value by establishing it in state law (Florida Statute 1004.49). Today, the program has (2025 Florida LAKEWATCH Program Stats):
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