Des Moines Lake is known for its exceptional water quality—a top priority for lake residents. Water clarity not only enhances the lake’s beauty but also supports recreation and property values.
The lake participates in the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) in partnership with the Wisconsin DNR. Trained volunteers collect data on water clarity (using the Secchi Disk method), chemistry, temperature, and dissolved oxygen to help monitor and protect the lake’s health. See below for the latest DNR annual report summary.
Water Clarity (Secchi) Monitoring
Water clarity is a measure of the amount of particles in the water, or the extent to which light can travel through the water.
Water clarity monitoring is a process in which a volunteer lowers an 8” diameter, black & white disc (“Secchi disc”) into the deepest part of the lake to determine how far down they can see the disc as it is lowered. Water clarity monitoring is done every 10-14 days throughout the open-water season. Water clarity is a quick way to estimate lake health, and it plays an important role in determining the types of plants and animals that a water body can support.
Temperature and Dissolved Oxygen
Water clarity is important for a number of reasons. It affects the depth to which aquatic plants can grow, dissolved oxygen content, and water temperature. Volunteers measure the temperature profile of the lake at 3-foot intervals from the top to the bottom of the lake. This data contributes to a measure of trophic status, or an indicator of ecosystem health.
See the full Citizen Lake Monitoring Network report for 2025.