The following table lists the Water Sampling schedule for 2020 and highlights volunteer opportunities for any member. An experienced person will always be in charge of sampling, but additional hands are needed. The Cooler Drop is driving the samples to Park Rapids location on the following Monday morning for delivery between 9 and 11 AM.

Date Due	Activity	Volunteer 1	Volunteer 2	Volunteer 3	Status
05/12/21	Cooler Pick Up	Darryl	—	—
05/16/21	Water Sampling	Needed	Needed	Needed
05/17/21	Cooler Drop	Needed	—	—
06/20/21	Water and ZMV Sampling	Needed	Needed	Needed
06/21/21	Cooler Drop	Needed	—	—
07/18/21	Water and ZMV Sampling	Needed	Needed	Needed
07/19/21	Cooler Drop	Needed	—	—
08/15/21	Water Sampling	Needed	Needed	Needed
08/16/21	Cooler Drop	Needed	—	—
09/19/21	Water Sampling	Needed	Needed	Needed
09/20/21	Cooler Drop	Needed	—	—

A group of Garfield Lake Association members collect water samples on a monthly basis between May and September. These samples are analyzed by a laboratory to measure nutrient levels and the presence of aquatic invasive species. The results provide a snap shot of lake health and are added to a data base that is specific to Garfield and can be used to spot trends (good or bad) that impact the lake.

Unfortunately our July sampling indicated the return of tiny zebra mussel veligers, a potentially harmful invasive species. No mature zebra mussels have ever been discovered in Lake Garfield, and we’d like to keep it that way. Continued water sampling will be critical to monitor this possible infestation and form the basis for developing plans to combat it’s spread.

Your help is needed to ensure that water monitoring continues. We will be collecting water samples again on Sunday, August 16 at 4:00 p.m. Sampling consists of taking a pontoon ride to several areas of the lake and using specialized (but simple) equipment to draw water from a depth of about 6 feet that is then bottled and transported to Park Rapids the next day for analysis.

If you can be available to help please contact Darryl Jarombek at djarombek@yahoo.com or 651-324-1060 by Friday, August 14. Those who participate can be picked up at their dock. The entire process will not take more than an hour.

The following table lists the Water Sampling schedule for 2020 and highlights volunteer opportunities for any member. An experienced person will always be in charge of sampling, but additional hands are needed. The Cooler Drop is driving the samples to Park Rapids location on the following Monday morning for delivery between 9 and 11 AM.

Date Due	Activity	Volunteer 1	Volunteer 2	Volunteer 3	Status
05/13/20	Cooler Pick Up	Darryl			Completed
05/17/20	Water Sampling	Darryl	Mark	Ron	Completed
05/18/20	Cooler Drop	Darryl			Completed
06/14/20	Water and ZMV Sampling	Bill	Ron	Sara	Completed
06/15/20	Cooler Drop	Bill			Completed
07/19/20	Water and ZMV Sampling	Darryl	Ron	Charlie
07/20/20	Cooler Drop	Charlie
08/16/20	Water Sampling	Darryl	Needed	Needed
08/17/20	Cooler Drop	Needed
09/20/20	Water Sampling	Darryl
09/21/20	Cooler Drop	Darryl

We would appreciate your help, email the association or call one of the directors for more information.