The Lake Observer mobile app was designed by members of the Global Lake Ecological Observatory Network (GLEON) for both research scientists and citizen scientists to record lake and water quality observations. Lake Observer is part of a crowd-sourcing platform to facilitate the collection and sharing of lake- and water-related information across the globe.
The Lake Observer allows for easy submission of geo-referenced data, using a smartphone or tablet, including observations of weather, water (temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, and Secchi depth), ice cover, and aquatic vegetation (macrophytes, algae, metaphyton). The app can be used on lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and other waterbodies.
GLEON teamed up with Esri and the US Geological Survey (USGS) as part of the White House Climate Data Initiative to further develop Lake Observer, including mapping and data visualization. GLEON has also partnered with the North American Lake Management Society (NALMS) and USEPA, to use the app for the annual Secchi Dip-In event.