Water, Water Everywhere

What exactly is Secchi Day?

According to Amy Wilson, director of public affairs for Beaver Lake District, Secchi Day is about more than just an oddly named disc.

"The name may confuse some people, but it comes from the name of the device that is used to measure clarity in the lake," she says. Black and white discs have been deployed all over Beaver Lake. Attached to a knotted rope, the devices are lowered until the black and white cannot be seen, she says. At that point, the depth is recorded by volunteers and used to calculate the overall water quality of the lake.

"As Beaver Lake is the source of our drinking water, it is important to know clean the water is," she says.

But Secchi Day isn't all discs, boats and ropes.

"The public is invited to show up for some hands-on events going on right there at Prairie Creek," Wilson says. "It's all completely free. There's everything from talking to Game and Fish folks about fish in the mobile aquarium to handling a frog that lives in the lake to making water testing devices you can take home with you."

The public is also invited to take part in their own water analyses, rubber ducky campaign, coloring book contest and bilingual language learning, she says. These activities are aimed at fostering an appreciation for Beaver Lake, which "ensures quality of life for everyone in Northwest Arkansas and the surrounding area."

"All of these activities allow you to use your hands and your brain to learn about the water," Wilson says. "They give you a chance to see and understand how this works. All the people involved in creating this event have come together in an educational way to share how important water is to our everyday lives."

Volunteers will bring water samples and clarity readings back to shore when the recording will be read off by celebrity emcee Dan Skoff of KNWA/Fox 24 throughout the morning. Other activities will include boat tours, fish identification, a photo contest, door prizes and a free lunch.

"We'll have free ice cream and a lunch of hot dogs for everyone," Wilson says. "And, of course, there will be plenty of free water on hand."

-- Allison Carter

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