The Intensive Survey Branch (ISB) collects and interprets a variety of biological, chemical, and physical data that are incorporated in the DWR basinwide planning concept. ISB monitoring programs include the Ambient Lake Monitoring Program, Lake TMDL Studies, and other Special Studies/Intensive Surveys as requested and as resources allow. Specific monitoring activities include:

• Ambient Lakes Monitoring
• Chemical sampling in water or sediment
• Physical measurements (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity)
• Flow/velocity/time-of-travel measurement
• Sediment oxygen demand and nutrient flux
• Channel morphology and lake bathymetry measurement
• Remote sampling