This program provides a comprehensive assessment of the physical, chemical and biological conditions of a lake. Its purpose is to monitor lakes to provide information on current baseline conditions, long-term trends, water quality compliance, trophic status, acid rain status, and exotic plant distribution.

Data is collected on one day in the summer and one day in the winter. The sampling site is located over the deep spot of the lake, with additional stations in some of the larger lakes. The duration of time between surveys for a particular lake varies from approximately 8 to 10 years to over 20 years. Results collected include the construction of a bathymetric map, a macrophyte (rooted plant) distribution and abundance map, and a temperature/dissolved oxygen profile, along with the various chemical and biological parameters.

Most reasonably accessible lakes in the state (and many remote ponds) have been surveyed at least once by DES since the program's inception in 1975. Over 775 different lakes have been surveyed.

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