MARK TWAIN LAKE, MO. -- Missouri Lakes bring in millions of tourism and recreation dollars, so understanding and protecting this natural resource is vital.

University of Missouri Research Specialist Tony Thorpe monitors the health of more than 50 lakes across the state. Thorpe's not alone, he turns to the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program, a force of 200 people who donate their time on their water.

Thorpe said, "It's fantastic that they can integrate the science and the data collection we need with their fun."

The Mark Twain Lake Sailing Association sponsors a training program for volunteers at this lake.  Mark Twain Lake is an 18-thousand acre reservoir in Northeastern Missouri. Water collected is sent to a MU lab to be analyzed.

Volunteer Sandy Wells said, "We are on the lakes all the time anyway.  It is a two-way street. We don't mind doing it and the University can get a whole lot of information from us."

More volunteers are needed to track what's going into Missouri lakes.

Thorpe said, "So often we have no data from what the lake was like before this bad thing happened so to get this baseline data before some sort of pollution event happens is essential to be able to document the problem."

Pollutants can enter lakes from wastewater facilities, septic systems and runoff from farms and lawns. So it's important to identify problems early.

Thorpe said, "So if you wait until you can see changes with the naked eye often you are looking at twenty years to fix the problem."

These tests can uncover lake problems much sooner.  Extending the life of a lake for future generations.

Wells said, "Everybody has a stake in what's happening."

For more information on the Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program click here: www.lmvp.org