As of this past week it is officially fall and the colors are nearing peak. Carlin Lake is also undergoing its fall "turnover" as evidenced by the final DNR lake monitoring report. The monitoring is done state wide by literally thousands of volunteers in order to keep track of Wisconsin's 15,000+ lakes and what is occurring below the surface.
Lake turnover is probably best recognized with a simple temperature test. This past June the surface temperature was more than 15 degrees different between the top 3' and the bottom. Last week there was only 4 degrees difference between the top and the bottom at the 28 feet mark. As the air temps drop the surface water is cooled and sinks while the warmer water at the bottom of the lake rises creating a turnover that lasts until ice forms.
Just the facts? Carlin Lake's surface temperature was 67.8 degrees a week ago. A cool swim for those of you so inclined to indulge. Water clarity is very good at 23' compared to just 13' in June. Also tested are chlorophyll and phosphorus to complete the battery of DNR required measurements sent to a lab four times during the summer months.
Lake monitoring equipment.