UF IFAS Florida LAKEWATCH

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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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06/16/2026

🌞 Stay Safe in the Sun with Protective Clothing

Sun protection is more than sunscreen. What you wear on the lake plays a big role in protecting your skin from harmful UV rays.

👕 Long sleeves and long pants: Choose loose fitting, tightly woven fabrics. The tighter the weave, the better the protection.
👒 Wide brimmed hats: Provide shade for your face, ears, and neck. Baseball caps and visors leave areas exposed.
🧥 UV protective clothing: Look for clothing designed to block or absorb UV rays when spending long hours outdoors.
🕶️ Sunglasses: Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Recommended for anyone over age 1.

Clothing is an essential part of sun protection when paired with sunscreen. Protect your skin and stay comfortable during field work on the water. 🌞🛡️

06/10/2026

🎉 Honoring 15 Years of Volunteer Commitment 🎉

Gary Sexton is celebrating 15 years as a dedicated LAKEWATCH volunteer on Lakes Center and C**n. His continued involvement and reliable data collection play a critical role in supporting the LAKEWATCH program.

Thank you, Gary, for 15 years of service, stewardship, and commitment. Your efforts make a lasting difference.

06/08/2026

🌞 Sun Safety Tips for LAKEWATCH Volunteers

Summer field season is here, and that Florida sunshine is no joke. Protect your skin while you’re out on the water with these sunscreen essentials:

🔆 Go broad spectrum: Protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
🧴 SPF 30 or higher: SPF shows how well sunscreen protects from UVB damage.
💦 Pick water resistant: Stays on longer in heat and humidity, even if you are not swimming.
🌱 Sensitive skin: Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are a good option. Budget friendly products work just as well.

Application tips:
⏱️ Apply 30 minutes before going outside.
🗓️ Wear sunscreen year round.
🔁 Reapply every 2 hours and after sweating or being in the water.
💄 Use a lip balm with SPF.

Stay protected and enjoy your time on the lake! 🌊🛡️
🔗 Learn more: https://ufhealth.org/care-sheets/sun-protection -protective-clothing

06/04/2026

Eastern mosquitofish are the fish you notice in mucky ditches and pond edges when everything else has checked out. Fun fact: they can breathe at the surface using a modified swim bladder. Scrappy, weird, and hard to ignore.

06/02/2026

🔍 From Ellen Swallow Richards to LAKEWATCH: A Legacy of Water Monitoring

Long before volunteer monitoring programs existed, Ellen Swallow Richards helped lay the foundation for how we measure and understand water quality today. Her work in the late 1800s established the core principles of environmental monitoring: consistent methods, many sites, and long-term data.
As Florida LAKEWATCH celebrates 40 years, this article by M.S. student Abigail Belchior reflects on how Richards’ vision lives on through our volunteers. Each water sample, Secchi depth, and dataset collected continues a powerful scientific tradition rooted in careful observation and service to the public.

📖 Read the full story:
https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/RA0KaL1Nu3I28 -ellen-swallow-richards-to-lakewatch

📸 Photo caption:
Ellen Swallow Richards later in her career. Photograph from the George Grantham Bain Collection, Library of Congress.

05/28/2026

🤎 Tricolored Heron

Feeding Fact: Tricolored Herons dash and pivot through shallow waters, chasing small fish and aquatic insects. Their fast, agile hunting sets them apart from other wading birds. 🐟🦗

📘 Learn more: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA229

05/26/2026

🔬 Ask the Expert: From Shore to Stream

What are microplastics, where do they come from, and why should we care? In this month’s Ask the Expert, Dr. Anna Braswell breaks down the microplastic challenge in our water and highlights current monitoring and solutions in Florida.

📖 Read more: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/RA0KaL1Nu3I28 -shore-to-stream

05/21/2026

🌟 Dollar Sunfish Fun Fact 🌟

Dollar sunfish may be small, but they’re one of Florida’s most eye‑catching freshwater fish. Their round, disk‑shaped bodies glow with vibrant blues, greens, and oranges, especially during breeding season. They prefer shallow, vegetated waters and feed on insects and small invertebrates. 🐟🌿
These colorful sunfish are a great indicator of healthy, plant‑rich habitats.

Curious about the diverse fish species in Florida’s lakes? 🐠📚

Check out the Handbook of Common Freshwater Fish in Florida Lakes! This guide summarizes fisheries data collected from 60 North Central Florida lakes between 1986 and 1990. 📊🌿

🔗 https://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00000131/00001/images/1

📸 Zach Randall, Florida Museum of Natural History
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/florida-fishes-gallery/

05/19/2026

💙 Thank you and farewell, Marina! 💙

We are incredibly grateful to Marina Schwartz for her years of dedication to Florida LAKEWATCH. From volunteer support to modernizing our data systems and launching our interactive dashboard, Marina’s impact on the program has been lasting and meaningful. We wish her all the best in her next chapter!

📖 Read more about Marina’s contributions here: https://new.express.adobe.com/webpage/RA0KaL1Nu3I28 -updates

05/14/2026

🤍 Snowy Egret
Feeding Fact: Snowy Egrets stalk shallow waters, using quick foot shuffles to stir up fish, insects, and crustaceans before striking with precision. This active feeding style makes them a joy to watch. 🐟🦐
📘 Learn more: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FA229

Address

7922 NW 71st Street
Gainesville, FL
32653

Telephone

+18005253928

Website

https://linktr.ee/ufifaslakewatch

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