National Lake Blitz

PROGRAM GOAL

Lakes in Canada face threats from habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, and climate impacts. The National Lake Blitz is an annual volunteer program with the goal of encouraging the widespread monitoring of lakes across Canada using simple tools so participants can gain a firsthand   understanding of how climate and other impacts are affecting lake health and biodiversity. The program also aims to promote water literacy and provide people with the resources to be active stewards at their local lakes. 

Volunteers don’t need a science or technical background to participate. After signing up, each volunteer receives a series of guides on how to monitor their chosen lake, covering everything from data collection to data entry.

From May to September, volunteers monitor their lakes by photographing key elements such as water colour, shoreline conditions, invasive species, and wildlife. They document any issues or concerns, helping us understand the overall health of the ecosystem. Throughout the season, the Lake Blitz Team offers ongoing support by offering guidance and resources to ensure a successful monitoring experience.

All the lake data collected is uploaded to an interactive Lake Blitz Observation Map. The data is also made available on two open access online platforms for sharing fresh water data: the Columbia Basin Water Hub and Datastream.

WHAT YOU NEED

• A camera or cellphone for taking photos.
• A cellphone or computer to upload your monitoring results.
• The iNaturalist app for recording and sharing observations.

PROGRAM LEAD

The Lake Blitz is led by Kaite Martin. You can reach Kaite at lakeblitz@livinglakescanada.ca.

See Kaite's profile.