WINONA LAKE – This summer, the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams conducted research on 45 lakes and 11 streams.
Lilly Center researchers compiled their findings into a publication called “Beneath the Surface,” a yearly report that investigates and clarifies the complex relationships between land, water and living organisms in Kosciusko County, according to a news release from the Lilly Center.
“Beneath the Surface” is organized into two sections. The first half provides an overview of the state of the lakes across various parameters, including water clarity, nutrients and toxins. The second half takes a deeper dive into specific lake groups, organized by watershed. Here, you can compare your lake in the context of other nearby lakes.
In this special edition, “Beneath the Surface” gives you the ability to compare the health of your lake to what it was 10 years ago, thanks to the 2023 Decade Lake Study, last conducted in 2013. To align with the research from 10 years ago, the Lilly Center sampled an additional 31 lakes in Kosciusko County. The research team collected data from these lakes three times over the summer during the same timespan as the weekly sampling on the county all-sport lakes, the release states.
“Including the Decade Lake Study is a real asset to our understanding of what’s going on in our lakes,” said Matt Burlingame, assistant director of research at the Lilly Center. “Looking back at how each lake has changed over time will give us clues about how to predict and prevent toxic algae blooms. I’m thankful for the huge effort by our 16 college interns and 45 volunteer boat captains to make this study possible.”
The results from this ambitious effort will guide the next 10 years of the Lilly Center’s research and inform best practices for lake management today, the release states. “Beneath the Surface” will equip you with the data and the information that will help you make decisions that directly impact the health of your lake and that of your family for the better, according to the release.
“Research like this is impossible without partners that believe in our mission to make Kosciusko County’s lakes and streams clean, healthy, safe and beautiful,” said Dr. Nate Bosch, Creighton Brothers endowed director of the Lilly Center. “I especially want to thank the K21 Health Foundation for their strong support of lake science and the benefits it provides toward keeping our community healthy.”
Read “Beneath the Surface” and learn more about the county’s lakes at lakes.grace.edu/bts.
The Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College conducts research, provides resources, engages and educates residents, and collaborates with local organizations to make the lakes and streams of Kosciusko County clean, healthy, safe and beautiful. To date, the Lilly Center has conducted scientific research on over 30 streams and 40 lakes. The Lilly Center is driven to create a legacy of stewardship by equipping community members, visitors and future generations with understanding and to enjoy the county’s natural beauty. For more information, visit lakes.grace.edu.