Measurements and water samples were taken from Roys Bay, Glendhu Bay and a deeper part of Lake Wanaka, as well as from one site on Lake Hawea.
Part of the study will look at the algae causing the lake snow problem, Cyclotella bodanica, and will use DNA analysis to determine the algae's origin.
In addition to the water sampling, a ''hydro lab'' was used yesterday to measure such things as oxygen levels, Chlorophyll a, temperature, conductivity and pH levels.
The clarity of the water was measured using a Secchi disc.
The same processes will be used at three sites on Lake Wakatipu today.
A similar study done between 2006 and 2009 found Lake Wanaka was in a ''stable state'', with little change in water quality over the three years, but noted a trend at the three sampling sites of ''increasing algal biomass'', although levels were low.
In a report to the council last month, Dr Uytendaal explained: ''Lake snow is the name given to the material formed by the clumping together of microscopic bacteria and algae with a sticky, mucus-like polysaccharide material excreted by the diatom Cyclotella bodanica. Cyclotella bodanica and associated lake snow is non-toxic and poses no known human health risk.''
