WINONA LAKE — Around 20 local residents got an introduction to Limnology, or the study of lakes, during a Lake Science 101 Workshop taught by Professor Melissa Laney. The event was held last night at the Winona Lake Park Department and hosted by The Watershed Foundation. 

Laney has been on the faculty at Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs since 2000. Laney is the director of the Indiana Clean Lakes Program, as well as project manager and quality control officer of IU’s Limnology Laboratory.

She began the evening with a two-hour lecture on the basics of lake science. She explained topics including watershed processes, lake formation, physical features, lake processes, lake biology and lake management. Much of the focus was on lake management and what local organizations can do to make sure the lakes remain in existence for everyone to enjoy. She explained that the major stressors on lakes include shore line development, over use and exotic species.

Although the workshop held a lot of information, Laney explained that she was barely touching the surface of lake science. “Lake management is not rocket science … it’s a lot harder,” she joked.

After the lecture, hands-on exhibits were available to learn more about lake biology. Attendees were able to get a close up view of different organisms that live in local lakes. There was also a microscope set up to view things not normally visible to the human eye.