Freshwater Solutions
Freshwater Solutions combines academic research and field application to support freshwater resource stewardship. The organization develops and applies molecular and field-based methods (notably qPCR and eDNA approaches), drone and underwater survey techniques, and community-based monitoring frameworks to assess swimmer’s itch parasites, enteric bacteria, aquatic invasive species, phytoplankton, and shoreline practices. They publish peer-reviewed methods and collaborate with academic partners to inform lake management and prevention strategies.
Industries
Nr. of Employees
small (1-50)
Freshwater Solutions
Products
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Testing
Analysis of eDNA water samples using either metabarcoding or Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) approaches to understand lake biodiversity, fish populations, and detect invasive species.
Swimmer’s Itch Assessment and Prevention
Services utilizing conventional snail community structure methods and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to quickly and accurately assess itch-causing parasite communities in lake ecosystems.
Lake Biologist Training, Consultation, Collaboration
Consultation, training, and collaboration services to guide lake association biologists in managing and directing water quality projects.
SCUBA Diving
Professional SCUBA diving services combined with aerial drone technologies and underwater videography for aquatic invasive species assessment, eradication, and control.
Enteric Bacteria Assessment
State-of-the-art quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technologies used to monitor septic system contributions, detecting unwanted and potentially harmful human enteric bacteria and excess nutrients.
Aquatic Plant Surveys
Assessment of aquatic vascular plants and macro-algae using aerial drone videography, SCUBA, and underwater videography to create archivable data for long-term comparative analysis.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) Testing
Analysis of eDNA water samples using either metabarcoding or Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) approaches to understand lake biodiversity, fish populations, and detect invasive species.
Swimmer’s Itch Assessment and Prevention
Services utilizing conventional snail community structure methods and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) to quickly and accurately assess itch-causing parasite communities in lake ecosystems.
Lake Biologist Training, Consultation, Collaboration
Consultation, training, and collaboration services to guide lake association biologists in managing and directing water quality projects.
SCUBA Diving
Professional SCUBA diving services combined with aerial drone technologies and underwater videography for aquatic invasive species assessment, eradication, and control.
Enteric Bacteria Assessment
State-of-the-art quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) technologies used to monitor septic system contributions, detecting unwanted and potentially harmful human enteric bacteria and excess nutrients.
Aquatic Plant Surveys
Assessment of aquatic vascular plants and macro-algae using aerial drone videography, SCUBA, and underwater videography to create archivable data for long-term comparative analysis.
Services
Laboratory analysis of eDNA samples using metabarcoding and qPCR to assess biodiversity and detect target invasive or native species.
Integrated snail community surveys, species-specific qPCR testing, sequencing of larvae from fecal samples, and field surveys to inform prevention strategies.
qPCR-based monitoring to detect human enteric bacteria and evaluate contributions from septic systems.
Assessment of drone-derived shoreline imagery to create user-friendly datasets and recommendations for shoreline improvement; methods aligned with QAPP requirements.
Integrated surveys using drone videography, SCUBA, and underwater videography to assess aquatic plant communities and invasive species distribution.
Training and consultation services to support local lake biologists in designing peer-review level studies, implementing monitoring programs, and connecting with the scientific community.
Laboratory analysis of eDNA samples using metabarcoding and qPCR to assess biodiversity and detect target invasive or native species.
Integrated snail community surveys, species-specific qPCR testing, sequencing of larvae from fecal samples, and field surveys to inform prevention strategies.
qPCR-based monitoring to detect human enteric bacteria and evaluate contributions from septic systems.
Assessment of drone-derived shoreline imagery to create user-friendly datasets and recommendations for shoreline improvement; methods aligned with QAPP requirements.
Integrated surveys using drone videography, SCUBA, and underwater videography to assess aquatic plant communities and invasive species distribution.
Training and consultation services to support local lake biologists in designing peer-review level studies, implementing monitoring programs, and connecting with the scientific community.
Expertise Areas
- Environmental DNA monitoring and metabarcoding
- qPCR assay development and molecular diagnostics for waterborne parasites
- Community-based water monitoring program design and implementation
- Aquatic invasive species assessment and monitoring
Key Technologies
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
- Metabarcoding / high-throughput DNA sequencing
- DNA sequencing of environmental and organismal samples
- Drone-based aerial imaging (visible and thermal)
News & Updates
Invited presentations to regional lake associations reporting state-of-the-lake updates and shoreline best-practice guidance.
Application of qPCR and community-based monitoring to determine fecal pollution sources in a Northern Michigan lake.
Description of implementing community-based qPCR monitoring for recreational water hazards.
Development and application of species-specific qPCR assays for assessing schistosome populations causing swimmer’s itch.
Demonstration of qPCR-based cercariometry to quantify larval schistosome abundance and investigate environmental drivers.
Published field protocol for consistent water collection used to quantify larval parasite abundance (cercariometry) adopted by researchers in the field.
Invited presentations to regional lake associations reporting state-of-the-lake updates and shoreline best-practice guidance.
Application of qPCR and community-based monitoring to determine fecal pollution sources in a Northern Michigan lake.
Description of implementing community-based qPCR monitoring for recreational water hazards.
Development and application of species-specific qPCR assays for assessing schistosome populations causing swimmer’s itch.
Demonstration of qPCR-based cercariometry to quantify larval schistosome abundance and investigate environmental drivers.
Published field protocol for consistent water collection used to quantify larval parasite abundance (cercariometry) adopted by researchers in the field.