“In a follow-up to evaporation studies funded by the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center, a federally funded collaboration between U-M and Michigan State University, Lenters and his colleagues developed a map-based water-temperature forecasting tool called SLATE, which stands for Seasonal Lake Temperature Energetics model.The experimental model was used to generate the Lake Superior forecast and may later be used to create similar surface-water temperature forecasts for all five Great Lakes—possibly even evaporation forecasts. SLATE is believed to be the first map-based forecasting tool that shows anticipated variations in surface-water temperature from place to place across one of the Great Lakes.The Lake Superior forecast is expected to be of interest to swimmers, boaters, anglers and others who will be affected by chilly water temperatures not seen since perhaps as far back as 1979.‘If you’re planning to go swimming in Lake Superior this summer, you should probably stay close to shore,’ said Peter Blanken, a co-investigator from the University of Colorado.The U.S. Coast Guard in Marquette has already expressed interest in using the Lake Superior forecast to help plan summer search-and-rescue operations. And a long-distance swimmer who is planning a trek from Milwaukee to Chicago in Lake Michigan this summer has also asked about water temperature forecasts.”
Category:
In the news: Forecast calls for very cold Lake Superior water this season
June 5th, 2014 by iisg_superadminUnwanted Meds program gets UpClose with Great Lakes plastic researcher
May 21st, 2014 by iisg_superadminSocial science researchers help evaluate more effective weather warnings
May 14th, 2014 by iisg_superadminIn the news: Proposing an international outdoor trail throughout the Great Lakes
May 13th, 2014 by iisg_superadmin“The Great Lakes Coastal Trail Conference — taking place Thursday and Friday in Saugatuck, Mich. — aims to bring together supporters in the U.S. and Canada to formalize development of a roughly 11,270-kilometre route.The route would include Great Lakes shoreline and the St. Lawrence River, which connects the lakes to the Atlantic Ocean.An aim is to draw tourists to the region, which includes eight U.S. states and Quebec and Ontario.It would integrate independent biking and kayaking trail developments in states such as Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.”
Students live stream with Lake Guardian scientists
May 8th, 2014 by iisg_superadmin
In the news: Asian carp could be approaching Lake Erie
April 28th, 2014 by iisg_superadmin“Multiple water samples taken from the Muskingum River last fall carried the environmental signature of bighead carp, an invasive species threatening the ecosystem of the Great Lakes. A report released Friday by the Nature Conservancy — in conjunction with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and researchers from Central Michigan University — indicated 10 of the 222 samples from the river tested positive for bighead carp eDNA.Asian carp have been established in the Ohio River for more than a decade, but these eDNA results indicate the fish could be present in the Muskingum some 80 miles north of where the Muskingum joins the Ohio at Marietta.The Muskingum has a series of old dams and deteriorating locks, but if the genetic evidence is accurate, those have not provided a significant impediment to the carp moving up the river system.”
In the news: Lake levels look to get back on track
April 17th, 2014 by iisg_superadmin“Water levels on Lake Michigan- Huron typically rise from March through July. Lake Michigan- Huron has risen one inch since early March, but is 13 inches higher than this same time last year. Although the above two lakes are higher, they are still 16 inches below the long term average for this date.The rise in the lakes in the past month was the result of melting snow. Precipitation didn’t help much to the rise in lake levels, as March was fairly dry. The dry pattern in March was good for helping Michigan avoid major flooding. However, heavy rain would have really boosted lake water levels. March precipitation over the Lake Michigan-Huron drainage basin was only 1.49 inches, which was 69 percent of normal.”
In the news: Cause of Lake Erie’s algae becoming clearer
April 16th, 2014 by iisg_superadmin“Algal blooms and dead zones in Lake Erie were severe during the 1960s, caused primarily by large releases of phosphorus from sewage and industrial plants. The 1972 federal Clean Water Act and the 1978 bi-national Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement led to dramatic reductions in phosphorus from these sources and a rapid improvement in water quality.Lake Erie, however, saw a reemergence of the algal blooms and the growth of the dead zone in the mid-1990s, and the problems are worsening. In 2011, for example, Lake Erie experienced its most severe bloom of toxic algae on record. Last fall a toxic algal bloom in the lake forced officials to shut off a public water supply system in Ohio.The new studies, part of the Ecological Forecasting (EcoFore) Lake Erie project led by researchers at the University of Michigan, found that the current targets to reduce phosphorus to alleviate algal blooms in Lake Erie may not be low enough to revive the dead zone. That conclusion informed the International Joint Commission’s recommendations in February for improving Lake Erie’s water quality.The findings, and those of other studies from across the Great Lakes region, are delivering an ever clearer picture of the specific causes of nonpoint phosphorus runoff, algal blooms, and dead zones. The basic drivers of these problems are no longer unknown. The new research fills a critical void in information that has been often cited as a reason that strict regulations on nonpoint pollution sources, including agriculture, were not regulated under the 1972 federal Clean Water Act.”
In the news: Great Lakes lawmakers lobby for further funding
April 9th, 2014 by iisg_superadmin“Forty-six House members from both parties recently sent a letter to leaders of a subcommittee that recommends spending on the environment.It requests $300 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The program usually gets about that much for projects dealing with threats such as toxic pollution and invasive species. President Barack Obama’s 2015 budget would cut it to $275 million.Rep. Sander Levin of Michigan says the program has done much to improve the lakes’ health and now isn’t the time to cut back.”
Recent News
- Tomas Höök reflects on a legacy of leadership, collaboration and impact at IISG
- Freshwater jellyfish may increase in numbers as Illinois and Indiana waters continue to warm
- Tomas Höök signing off as Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant director this summer
- Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant welcomes Stuart Carlton as the program’s new director
- Four Illinois and Indiana educators will set sail on Lake Michigan aboard EPA’s research ship
IISG Instagram
Tomas Höök has left an incredible mark during his time as Director of Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, and now he’s reflecting on a legacy filled with leadership, collaboration, and impact. From expanding our aquaculture and education programs, to helping communities make sense of the effects of Lake Michigan’s shifting shorelines — his work has helped grow what we do and who we serve.
Read the full feature at the link in bio to see what he’ll carry forward in his new role as Head of Purdue’s Department of Forestry & Natural Resources.

The Invasive Crayfish Collaborative is hosting a webinar on Friday, September 12th at 11:00am CT / 12:00pm ET. Join us for the seminar "Red Swamp Crayfish Telemetry Across Seasons and Techniques" presented by post-doctoral researcher Dr. William Ota of Michigan State University. Dr. Ota will present his research on red swamp crayfish movement ecology, which involves the use of both radio and acoustic telemetry.
Register at the link in bio.

In late July, formal and non-formal educators joined @nature_indiana, @indianadnr Division of Nature Preserves, and @lakecountyparks for a workshop exploring ecological restoration in the Grand Calumet River Area of Concern.
Participants toured restored sites in East Chicago and Hammond, engaged with experts in sediment remediation and habitat restoration, and experienced a cutting-edge Virtual Reality curriculum aligned with NGSS for grades 6–12.
From industrial past to ecological renewal, educators left inspired and equipped to bring local environmental stories into their classrooms.
Learn more about the VR Tour at the link in bio.
#TeachingTuesday

Whether you’re teaching in a classroom, leading outdoor programs, or developing community science initiatives, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant offers free, high-quality educational resources to support your work.
🔗 Dive into lesson plans, activities, and professional development opportunities: https://iiseagrant.org/education/
Empowering educators to connect learners with the Great Lakes and beyond. 🌎💧
#TeachingTuesday

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