New Twin Cities study explores how people value and use local lakes

A new study is examining how people use and value lakes across nine counties in the Twin Cities. Researchers aim to understand visitor behaviour, activities, and perceptions of water quality. The project is led by Bonnie Keeler, director of the Water Resources Center at the University of Minnesota. The study involves placing signs at 17 different lakes to gather public feedback. Visitors are asked to rate the water quality on a scale of 0 to 10 via text message. This helps the team assess how people perceive improvements in water conditions.

Logan Sorsveen, a junior at the University of St. Thomas, is contributing to the project as part of his data analytics studies. The research also explores why people visit lakes and what activities they enjoy. Each year, Minnesota spends hundreds of millions of dollars to enhance water quality, making such insights valuable. The findings are expected to help lake managers make decisions based on public preferences. The project highlights the importance of maintaining and improving Minnesota’s lakes. Results may guide future efforts to balance ecological and recreational needs.