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Divisions > Water Division > Programs/Bureaus/Units > Watershed Management Bureau >

Volunteer Lake Assessment Program

Have you ever wondered how a state with over 800 public lakes and ponds and eight aquatic biologists can evaluate water quality? It would be impossible without the help of dedicated state-wide volunteers who offer their time to the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES). This network of volunteers is part of the DES Volunteer Lake Assessment Program (VLAP). Initiated in 1985, VLAP establishes a volunteer-driven lake sampling program to assist DES in evaluating lake water quality, and provides volunteer monitors and lake residents with reports on lake health. This cooperative effort allows biologists and lake associations to make educated decisions regarding the future of New Hampshire’s lakes and ponds. more...

Hot Topics (Complete List)

• 2010 VLAP Photo Contest Winners!
• 2011 VLAP Workshop
  [Announcement] [Registration]
• 2011 Photo Contest Announcement
• Cyanobacteria Information
• DES Photo Release Form
• Exotic Species
• VLAP Blog: Lake Reflections

Publications (Complete List)

• VLAP Annual Reports
• VLAP Newsletter and Field Manual
  

Rules/Regulatory

• Shoreland Protection Act

Education/Outreach

• General Text, Lake Ecology and Glossary of Lake Terms
• Fact Sheets
  • Biology
  • Watershed Management
  • Wetlands
• VLAP Blog: Lake Reflections
• VLAP Chemical and Biological Parameters Explanation
• VLAP Water Sampling Conversion Chart for Temperature and Depth

Technical Assistance (Complete List)

• If you are interested in joining VLAP
• What Equipment Do I Need to Monitor Lake Water Quality?

Training

• Each year, biologists conduct an annual visit to each lake/pond participating in VLAP. more …
• 2011 VLAP Workshop
  [Announcement] [Registration]

Forms/Applications

• Anonymous Septic System Survey
• Lake Sampling Field Data Sheet
• Sampling Station Form
• Stream Survey Field Data Sheet

Grants/Loans (Complete List)

• Seek assistance to purchase monitoring equipment or fund other lake related projects.
• Watershed Assistance Section Grants/Loans

Related Programs

• Volunteer River Assessment Program

Volunteers

• Lakes and Ponds Participating in VLAP
• Volunteer Mercury in Fish Sampling Program

Resources/Links (Complete List)

• Lake Management Organizations
• Other Volunteer Monitoring Groups
• Aquatic Wildlife Information

Contact Us (Complete List)

• Sara Steiner, VLAP Coordinator
  NH Department of Environmental Services
  29 Hazen Drive; PO Box 95
  Concord, NH 03302-0095
  (603) 271-2658
  sara.steiner@des.nh.gov

 

 

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NH Department of Environmental Services | 29 Hazen Drive | PO Box 95 | Concord, NH 03302-0095
(603) 271-3503 | TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964 | Hours: M-F, 8am-4pm