
				Pat Quinn, Governor

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Environmental Progress - Summer 2004

IEPA and CWLP Participate in Lake Springfield Monitoring

Part of 10^th Great North American Secchi Dip-in

I llinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano tested the waters of Lake Springfield on July 12, joining local volunteers and thousands of other volunteer lake monitors across the continent for the 10th Great North American Secchi Dip-In.

Director Cipriano noted that City Water Light and Power , which oversees Lake Springfield, has participated in the IEPA's volunteer lake monitoring program since its inception in 1981.

"We in Illinois are proud of the more than 2,000 volunteers who have monitored more than 400 of our lakes since the program began," she said.

"We're very fortunate to have had such a long and successful partnership with the EPA and its water monitoring program. Having a healthy lake is not only important for the environment and recreational opportunities at Lake Springfield, but is also vital to ensuring that the citizens of Springfield have a safe and reliable source for drinking water," said CWLP General Manager Renfrow.

Cipriano joined Michelle Nicol of CWLP and IEPA Bureau of Water Chief Marcia Willhite in lowering Secchi Discs into the lake. The discs are simple measuring devices that determine transparency, or how far down into the water can be seen clearly.

The transparency of Lake Springfield has remained consistent over the past decade at an average of 26 inches and is typical for a reservoir or impoundment type lake.

IEPA has provided federal and state funds to Springfield for dredging, shoreline stabilization and other projects to improve and protect the lake. The Governor's Environmental Corps' summer interns at IEPA have also benefitted the lake by participating in work days at Lincoln Memorial Gardens for several years.