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    Florida LAKEWATCH

    Florida LAKEWATCH

    Circulars

    The Beginner's Guide to Water Management series is part of LAKEWATCH’s ongoing effort to bridge the information gap between Florida’s scientific community and its citizens. This collection of educational circulars offers a clear and accessible introduction to the terminology and core concepts commonly used in today’s water management practices, empowering individuals to better understand and engage with aquatic resource issues.

    Drone aerial perspective of Kanapaha Prairie. Small aquatic plants grow upward through shallow, muddy water. Rounded and narrow leaves emerge above the surface, illustrating early growth stages of wetland vegetation.Photo taken 02-07-25
    The ABCs
    Bright green algae swirl just below the water’s surface near a wooden dock. The shallow water appears opaque from dense algal growth, with sunlight reflecting off calm lake conditions.
    Nutrients
    A split‑level image shows clear blue water below the surface and trees above. Submerged rocks and aquatic features appear underwater, while bare branches line the bank above the waterline.
    Water Clarity
    An aerial view of a small, dark‑water lake surrounded by dense green forest. Submerged aquatic vegetation is visible near the shoreline, with trees and low‑rise development extending across the distant horizon under a cloudy sky.
    Lake Morphometry
    A vertical measuring staff stands in slow‑moving, dark water within a cypress forest. Tree trunks and flowing roots frame the scene, reflecting ongoing water level or stage monitoring in a natural channel.
    Symbols, Abbreviations, and Conversion Factors
    A large group of children and adults wade and swim together in a shallow lake recreation area, with kayaks on shore, shaded pavilions, and trees surrounding the water.
    Bacteria
    Numerous dead fish are scattered along a shallow, muddy shoreline, forming clusters near the water’s edge. The scene illustrates a fish kill event, with varying fish sizes and shells visible on wet sand.
    Fish Kills
    Crystal‑clear turquoise water flows alongside a wooded shoreline with cypress and palm trees. Reflections of trees appear on the water’s surface, and a posted sign marks managed access along the river.
    Color
    A close view of overlapping green water lily leaves floating on dark water. Some leaves show spots, discoloration, and insect damage, while stems and petals extend beneath and across the surface.
    Oxygen and Temperature
    Two people sit on a wooden bench at the edge of a lake holding fishing rods, facing calm water with trees reflected on the surface in a quiet outdoor setting.
    Fish Communities and Trophic State
    Young aquatic plants with small green leaves emerge from shallow, muddy water, showing early growth stages among scattered sediment and submerged vegetation.
    Aquatic Plants
    A close‑up of a hand holding a soft, dark, mud‑like sediment sample. The smooth, wet material coats the palm, illustrating fine sediment commonly found in aquatic or wetland environments.
    Muck
    Egret on a lake
    Common Aquatic Birds Using Florida Lakes
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    Florida LAKEWATCH
    7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, FL 32653-3071
    (352) 392-4817

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