How Lake Conditions Lab handles data

Water readings

USGS is the primary launch source for water measurements. The app queries the modern USGS Water Data OGC APIs and looks for current readings from the monitoring location assigned to each lake. Lake-level parameter preference is NAVD88 lake/reservoir elevation, NGVD29 elevation, reservoir elevation above datum, then gage height. Water temperature uses USGS parameter 00010 when present.

Weather

Forecasts, observations and active alerts come from the National Weather Service API using the lake record's coordinates.

Missing data

The site does not substitute a made-up water temperature or lake level. A field is shown as unavailable when a usable current source reading is not returned.

Launch ranking

The included 500-record master file is a launch-priority dataset built around prominent lakes and public monitoring coverage. It is not represented as a verified Google search-volume ranking. The repository includes an optional DataForSEO research script that can populate search-volume fields and support a later SEO-priority rerank.

Important limitations

Public sensor data may be provisional, delayed, relocated, discontinued or measured at a location that does not represent every part of a lake. Always follow local restrictions, posted notices and official safety guidance.