Water clarity is measured using multiple techniques. These measurements include: Secchi depth, light attenuation, turbidity, beam attenuation, absorption by colored dissolved organic matter, the concentration of chlorophyll-a pigment, and the concentration of total suspended solids. Clear water generally has a deep Secchi depth, low light attenuation (deeper light penetration), low turbidity, low beam attenuation, and low concentrations of dissolved substances,  chlorophyll-a,  and/or total suspended solids. More turbid water generally has a shallow Secchi depth, high light attenuation (less light penetration to depth), high turbidity, high beam attenuation, and high concentrations of dissolved substances, chlorophyll-a, and/or total suspended solids.