CFL Community Water Monitoring Network
A close up image of pH test strips being held in front of a page from the monitoring binder for color comparison.

Data

Below is a selected summary of data collected by CWMN volunteers from Fall 2022 – Summer 2025. The ponds span a gradient from low productivity (oligotrophic) to extremely high productivity (hypereutrophic). The bar graphs represent mean concentrations of each parameter, with error bars showing the standard deviation. Numbers shown above the bars indicate the total number of samples used to calculate the mean values. This page shows a sample of ongoing data collection and will update periodically.

Pond data are collected by community members for our community to use!

Please reach out to us at cfl_water_network@mailplus.wisc.edu if you would like a copy of the data or to discuss our work.

CWMN Pond Data Averages and Time Series

A bar graph showing the average total phosphorus values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing total phosphorus values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Total Phosporus is the sum of all organic and inorganic forms of the key nutrient phosphorus (P) in the water.

A bar graph showing the average total nitrogen values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing total nitrogen values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Total Nitrogen is the sum of all organic and inorganic forms of the nutrient nitrogen (N) in the water.

A bar graph showing the average dissolved organic carbon values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing dissolved organic carbon values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Dissolved organic carbon is the sum of all dissolved organic forms of carbon (C) from leaves, soil, and algae breaking down in water.

A bar graph showing the average chloride values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing chloride values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Chloride is an ion that is a component of substances like common road salts that can be dissolved in water.

A bar graph showing the average conductivity values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing conductivity values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Conductivity is the measure of electrical charge in the water based on its ion concentrations.

A bar graph showing the average water temperature values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing water temperature values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Water temperature is the measure of how warm or cool the water is.

A bar graph showing the average water clarity values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing water clarity values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Water clarity is the measure of how transparent or clear the water is.

A bar graph showing the average pH values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing pH values in the ten Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

pH is the measure of how acidic or basic the water is along a scale.

A bar graph showing the average chlorophyll values in four Community Water Monitoring Network ponds.
A plot showing chlorophyll values in four Community Water Monitoring Network ponds over time.

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plants and algae in the water.