Since the last post, I’ve made great progress on my Google Earth Engine script and aim to complete my main deliverable by the end of next week. Recently, I participated in two field work efforts and attended a tour at the Nevin State Fish Hatchery (I highly recommend the tour). This internship has been an amazing experience and I’ve learned a lot about the DNR, Google Earth Engine, and water quality. Moving forward, the next few weeks will be the busiest for me. However, I’m ready to face finishing my script, writing 3 papers, giving 2 presentations, packing and moving across state, and finding a job. Fingers crossed and good luck to everyone in the same position!
Current Progress
I’ve experienced many challenges in developing the GEE script. It’s tough when the script doesn’t run or if an unknown error occurs. However, I’ve learned something new from each error and through the process developed skills to apply to future challenges I face. The final deliverables for this project are the GEE script to produce water quality products, a report comparing the results of the GEE and current software products, and a protocol document describing the process on enough detail to be replicated. My script needs to do two main things. To do theses processes I have two scripts. The first script, that I’ve completed, produces a CSV file with values for band of a Landsat pixel that coincides with a sample station’s collected data. The sample station has Secchi measurements that I am using to ground truth the values collected from Landsat imagery (the band values). I use both sets of data together in the CSV file to compare water clarity (depth of water) of the pixel values to values collected in the field with regression statistics performed in R-Studio and Excel. These statistics are used in the second script to more accurately represent the pixel values across the image to better match the values gathered in the field (the ground truth data).This second script will also produce a CSV file that contains mean values for each lake that meets my specifications. This is where I’m currently at in my process. I am working to calculate the mean of all the lakes of Wisconsin from these created pixel values. This is important to monitor water clarity for the lakes of Wisconsin. After I work out this process, I will put these mean values into the CSV table with the satellite name, date of satellite image acquisition, and an identifier for each lake. These values are currently calculated and then transferred into a DNR database to monitor water quality from year to year.
Field Work and Enjoying the Outdoors
Central Sands Project
A few weeks ago, I helped collect field data on the Central Sands Project. The Central Sands Project helps monitor water in the Central Wisconsin Sand and Gravel Aquifer area (near the Wisconsin River). More information can be found here: https://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Wells/HighCap/CSLBackground.html. I collected water samples from different lakes in the Central Sands area. These samples are used to monitor the impacts of surrounding land use. It was a beautiful day to learn some water monitoring field techniques from my co-workers and I enjoyed the time I spent on the lakes!
Nevin State Fish Hatchery
I toured the Nevin State Fish Hatchery located in Fitchburg. The facility was founded in 1887 and is still performing the same work. The hatchery currently raises Brown, Brook, and Rainbow trout. They offer tours to anyone interested, as well as, the ability to explore the grounds around the hatchery. This hatchery continues to provide fish to meet the needs of Wisconsin’s people for fishing and to work on problems that they face. I enjoyed learning about the changes the hatchery has made to keep up with demands. One such change they’ve made is the way they raise the trout. One variety grows in the outdoor channels and are easier to catch; however, they are not as hardy in the wild. The other variety of trout are hatched and grown in dark rooms to mimic their native environment which stimulates their more cautious instincts. This helps to produce fish that are more likely to survive in the wild. I loved watching the trout swim around in the outdoor pool, especially the Rainbow trout with their pink strip. I highly suggest visiting!
Green Bay
This week I went to Green Bay to help collect data. This outing coincided with satellites passing over the area. We took light measurements, water samples, and used some other sensors. These measurements help with ground truthing against images taken by the passing satellites. I had a blast working under the beautiful blue sky and in the cool breeze. I learned about taking these light measurements and that sometimes you need to go with the flow. Sometimes things don’t work and need time to fix, like sensors overheating (such is life). I gained an appreciation for the effort needed to gather the data used to test against satellite data. This trip was a great break before settling in to complete the rest of my project.
Finishing Up
This summer, this internship, and this master’s program have gone by quickly. I can’t believe that I am almost done. I’ve learned a lot and grown from this experience. The problems I’ve faced and continue to face help me in the way I approach problems and I feel more confidence in my skills. I’ve learned to actively look at multiple solutions to a problem and think of the best way to apply those solutions. I’ve learned a lot about Google Earth Engine. This internship gave me an experience to, basically, learn from the ground up to create and apply spatial analysis in an unfamiliar platform in a new coding language. I’ve had an incredible experience and I can’t wait to see where I go next!
Thanks for reading!
The Nelson Institute: Environmental Conservation Leadership Projects 