Florida LAKEWATCH

A large group of LAKEWATCH staff and volunteers stands shoulder to shoulder on a wooden platform beside a pond. A LAKEWATCH sign is displayed at the edge, with trees and grass in the background.

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):

LAKEWATCH’s success has even been featured in the scientific journal Florida Scientist as a model for citizen science. The article highlights how the program overcame challenges—like proving the credibility of volunteer-collected data and securing long-term funding—to become a trusted source of water quality information used in lake management decisions statewide.

Whether you're a lifelong resident or new to Florida, LAKEWATCH offers a meaningful way to connect with your local environment and make a lasting impact.

Mission Statement

As limnologists, Florida LAKEWATCH’s staff and students work to understand the ecology, chemistry, and physical properties of inland waterbodies and coastal ecosystems. Our primary goal is to work with citizen and community scientists to monitor the quality of Floridian aquatic ecosystems. This collaboration generates research-quality data that is useful for stakeholders and management programs. Additionally, LAKEWATCH conducts novel limnological research, provides meaningful public extension and education, and helps train the next generation of limnologists through undergraduate and graduate teaching.

Program objectives

Track the long-term water quality of Floridian aquatic ecosystems and monitor temporal changes.
Assess natural variations in the chemistry and ecology of aquatic ecosystems, to better understand the impact of current and future anthropogenic changes.
Research issues of both emerging and long-standing concern that impact the limnology and management of aquatic ecosystems in Florida and beyond.
Bolster the role of citizen and community science in environmental water research and the management of aquatic ecosystems.

Florida LAKEWATCH

Florida LAKEWATCH

What is Florida LAKEWATCH?

Mission Statement

Research

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