The deepest part of Lake Owen is now the site of a new scientific study. Steve Schieffer, Lake Owen Lead Scientist, a Certified Watershed Manager with Ecological Integrity Service, LLC, just set up a scientific measuring device called a “thermistor string” to study Lake Owen water temperatures at different depths. Steve placed a large orange buoy that he marked “research”, and a little more than 3 feet below, a second, small orange buoy with a thermistor string strung on a line downward and anchored at the bottom of the lake in the South Big Bay, out from the Otter Bay opening, in the vicinity of Lake Owen’s greatest depth.
Temperature profiling with thermistor strings produces the best possible evidence of changes in water temperatures. Thermistors, resistors that react predictably and precisely when they encounter changing temperatures produce the most accurate temperature profiling. To profile a lake’s temperature, it’s best to use multiple temperature nodes strung together and suspended from a buoy, to take temperature readings at established intervals based on the conditions of the lake itself. For the best, most accurate reflection of the lake’s temperature profile, it’s best to monitor in the deepest part of the water anchored to the lake bottom. Problems like harmful algal blooms and contamination can develop rapidly. The best way to anticipate water problems is to keep watching for evidence that proceed the problems. Monitoring for unusual temperature conditions in real-time is a critical part of anticipating water problems.
Lake Owen Association asks that member of the public should be mindful about this buoy and not interact with it.
