temp chain buoy

Our Michigan City buoy has a lot of sensors on it, but none are quite so popular as the temperature chain.

Every 10 minutes, 17 loggers, all at different depths, record and transmit the average water temperature of the lake.

Using data collected in 2016, Purdue University School of Civil Engineering student David Cannon visualized what happened in the top 45 feet of Lake Michigan, 3.5 miles northwest of Michigan City, Indiana.

The results shows just how variable the nearshore water is: one day it can be warm all the way to the bottom, and a week later it can be very cold way up at the surface.

For more information on buoys, winds, waves, and how they affect water temperature in nearshore Lake Michigan, see Lake Michigan By the Numbers.

Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant is a part of University of Illinois Extension and Purdue Extension.

IISG Instagram

Did you know unused medications can end up in our lakes, rivers, and drinking water, affecting our wildlife and water quality? That’s why proper disposal matters. This Saturday, April 25th, take advantage of the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) to safely and anonymously drop off expired or unused prescriptions.Can’t make it Saturday? Our Unwanted Meds program can help you find a year-round drop-off location near you: unwantedmeds.org/how-to-dispose/find-a-drop-off-locationClick the link in our bio to access the Unwanted Meds drop-off locator!#UnwantedMeds #TakeBackDay #GreatLakes #WaterQuality #SafeDisposal
Happy Earth Day 🌎💙From the Great Lakes to your local community, every action counts. Whether it’s reducing waste, protecting water, or learning something new, small steps make a big impact.