A.W. Research Laboratories, Inc.

Ground Truthing

A. W. Research Laboratories (AWRL) has conducted Aerial Lakeshore Analyses (ALA) for over 500 lakes throughout the United States. Our clients have used ALAs for designing, maintaining and updating their lake monitoring programs. The ALA effectively targets toxic and nutrient loading influence on water quality. The final and most important phase of an ALA is a process called ground truthing. Ground truthing is an educational program that is conducted on-site to educate homeowners on problem areas that are identified in the ALA report. This training is done in a manner that will be positive and educational rather than threatening to the lakeshore owners.

A trained staff member will present slides and analysis to each of the residents and instruct them how to implement “Best Management Practices” (BMP) in the management of their lakeshore lot. The use of BMP’s will result in a decrease of toxic/nutrient loading to the lake, and ultimately higher water quality.

The client is instructed on BMP’s for the following information:

Ideally, ground truth investigations are conducted shortly after an ALA Overflight.

For more information, contact us at awlab@awlab.com

· Shoreline/land erosion

· Buried oil/gas tanks

· Toxic chemicals stored/used near lake

· Good/poor use of berms & buffers

· Dumps in or on property

· Boat houses or other structures too near the lake

· Emergent growth of bulrush and cattails

· Evidence of fish/wildlife kill

· Brush/leaf burning on the beach

· Storage of oil and/or fuel near the lake

· Fertilizers near the lake and potential runoff effects

· Boat houses or other structures too near the lake

· Any other issues that the homeowners may have

· Pipes and duct drains that lead directly into the lake

· Weeds and debris on the lakeshore

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ground truthing