Turbidity can be measured in several ways. One method uses a turbidimeter which is an optical device that electronically measures the amount of light that passes through a sample of water.

A simpler method uses a secchi disk. A secchi disk is circular, 8" diameter disk that is divided into four pie-shaped quadrants that are alternately colored black and white (two black sections and two white sections). It is attached at its center point to a chain or a rope that is marked in one foot intervals. The secchi disk is lowered into the water until it can no longer be seen. The depth at which it vanishes is measured and recorded. Secchi disks do not work well in shallow waters or in waters where the current is too strong.

A third method used to measure turbidity involves the use of a turbidity tube. A turbidity tube is a clear plastic tube that measures turbidity in JTU's (Jackson Turbidity Units). One end of the tube is capped with a piece of white plastic that has two small black parallel bars attached to it. The tube is slowly filled with water from the stream until the two black bars are no longer visible when observed through the length of the tube. The JTU's of the sample is then determined by matching the water level in the tube to the scale on the side of the tube.