Congratulations on becoming the Lake Admin for your lake. This role carries real responsibility, you're now the steward of your lake's data and the primary point of contact for your community. The following ten steps will help you get oriented and set up for success.
1. Account Settings. Open the main menu on the left to update your general settings and notification preferences.
2. Library. Under the menu item Data. Open each category and familiarize yourself with the parameters that define lake health. As Lake Admin, you can edit only the parameters marked "Lake Admin" under Source. When you're unsure of an answer, contact the Boathouse for support. Complete the Access and Physical sections as thoroughly as you can. The Library is your lake's single "source of truth", documenting when each key parameter of lake health and safety was last tested, monitored, observed, or surveyed.
3. Partners. Under the menu item Data. Add the organizations, government agencies, and associations you've collaborated with on lake data. If they are helpful, and you value their involvement, here's your opportunity to officially, and publicly recognize them.
4. Record. Under the menu item Data, Use the dropdown at the top to select the record you want to update. Detailed records help you and your neighbors track actions, interventions, and other lake health and safety events. Use Lake Status to summarize current conditions in plain English.
5. Locations. Under the menu item Data. Different parts of the lake often have different health and safety conditions. Manage your sampling and monitoring locations here.
6. Data Upload. If you keep a folder of lake data or reports on your computer, use the Lake Pulse Data Engine, here, to prepare PDFs for ingestion into your lake's profile, or the Lake Pulse Data Wrangler, here, to format spreadsheets for upload. Have older reports sitting in binders? Photograph each page and work with the Boathouse to determine what's relevant and worth ingesting. Note that professional fees apply to some data-related services. There are fees for checking your data before upload to your lake, but there are ways to manage those feed, read this guidance here.
7. Community. This is the dashboard of information you choose to share with the broader community. Consider using a third-party survey tool, such as Google Forms, to gather your neighbors' input on lake health and safety issues, add the survey URL under Surveys. Review this section and the app regularly to confirm your lake's activities and updates appear as you intend.
8. Enlisting Neighbors. Use email or social media to invite your neighbors and your lake's broader stakeholder community to join Lake Pulse. Membership is free, and growing your member base lets you increase engagement, a goal shared by many lake groups.
9. Toolbox. Spend time exploring the Toolbox to familiarize yourself with the testing and monitoring solutions we've curated to help you and your neighbors meet your lake health and safety goals.
10. Stay Connected. Review the full features and privileges of the Lake Admin role, and reach out to the Boathouse anytime to discuss your needs and objectives. Contact us anytime here to get a discussion going with the Boathouse.