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KU researchers from the Kansas Biological Survey head out on Clinton Lake to do some water sampling and lake assessment as part of an Applied Science and Technology for Reservoir Assessment Initiative. The research program is studying the shrinking of Kansas lakes and water reservoirs which is contributing to taste and odor problems in drinking water for some communities. Friday the team used a fluorometer to measure amounts of algae in Clinton Lake.

Photo by Mike Yoder

KU researchers from the Kansas Biological Survey head out on Clinton Lake to do some water sampling and lake assessment as part of an Applied Science and Technology for Reservoir Assessment Initiative. The research program is studying the shrinking of Kansas lakes and water reservoirs which is contributing to taste and odor problems in drinking water for some communities. Friday the team used a fluorometer to measure amounts of algae in Clinton Lake.

Photo by Mike Yoder

This is a depth map of Lake Dabinawa. After data is collected in the field, scientists take it back to the laboratory for further computer processing. Water depth, lake bottom type, and other parameters are generated from the data, and the thousands of data points are transformed into a depth map of the reservoir. Water depths go from pink colored shallow areas of 1 to 5 feet to deeper areas in orange and red at 25 to 29 feet.

Photo courtesy of Kansas Biological Survey

KU researchers from the Kansas Biological Survey are using echosounders to determine silting and water depths at state lakes and reservoirs. An echosounder works by sending out a calibrated pulse of sound at a known frequency and timing how long it takes to return to the sensor. Since the speed of sound in water can be calculated, the distance between the sensor and the reservoir bottom = à ½ (Speed of sound in water x time). Unlike fish-finders and depthfinders available in sporting goods stores, the ASTRA Biosonics echosounding system is narrowly focused and carefully calibrated to produce highly accurate, replicate scientific data

Image courtesy of the Kansas Biological Survey

Jerry deNoyelles, associate director of the Kansas Biological Survey, readies a fluorometer that will be used to register amounts of algae during some water sampling and lake assessment at Clinton Lake. The sampling Friday is part of an Applied Science and Technology for Reservoir Assessment Initiative that is studying the shrinking of Kansas lakes and water reservoirs which is contributing to taste and odor problems in drinking water for some communities. In the background are Andy Dzialowski, associate research scientist with the KBS, far right, and KBS research associate Scott Campbell, second from right.

Photo by Mike Yoder

This is a depth map of Lone Star Lake. After data is collected in the field, scientists take it back to the laboratory for further computer processing. Water depth, lake bottom type, and other parameters are generated from the data, and the thousands of data points are transformed into a depth map of the reservoir. Water depths go from pink colored shallow areas of 1 to 5 feet to deeper areas in orange and red at 25 to 29 feet.

Photo courtesy of Kansas Biological Survey