News
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EPA Deploys Autonomous Underwater Vehicle to Assess Lake Erie’s Dissolved Oxygen Levels
While gliding autonomously through Lake Erie’s central basin, Nokomis records continuous high-resolution measurements of dissolved oxygen along with other parameters that monitor the health of the lake. (Sept. 18, 2019) - The U.S. EPA deployed the glider Nokomis, an autonomous underwater vehicle, to measure low levels dissolved oxygen, known as hypoxia, in Lake Erie. The glider will also collect other data, such as temperature and chlorophyll levels, which inform scientists on the state of Lake Erie.
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Great Lakes Commission awards $2.2 million under Great Lakes Sediment and Nutrient Reduction Program
(Sept. 9, 2019) The Great Lakes Commission announces $2.2 million in grants to reduce the runoff of sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants into the Great Lakes. This runoff has economic and environmental impacts and contributes to the formation of harmful algal blooms and dead zones in the lakes. Grant recipients will use the funding to install structural or engineered controls and annual practices that emphasize long-term sustainability to limit sediment or nutrient runoff.
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EPA to measure Lake Erie for Dissolved Oxygen
The Rosette Sampler being deployed off of the R/V Lake Guardian. The SeaBird CTD, located at the bottom, is used to collect water temperature and dissolved oxygen values throughout the water column in Lake Erie during DO Surveys. (Aug. 22, 2019) EPA annual monitoring program underway to track changes in dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Erie’s central basin.
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Wisconsin Develops State’s First Set of Blue-Green Algae Beach Signs
Wisconsin’s Green Lake County health officer Kathy Munsey (left), and public health nurse Rachel Prellwitz (right), show off new blue-green algae beach signs. Credit: Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health. (Aug. 21, 2019) The Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, which receives GLRI support through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recently developed the state’s first set of blue-green algae beach signs.
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Full Conference Agenda Available for 2019 Annual Great Lakes Area of Concern Conference
(Aug. 6, 2019) The complete agenda for the 2019 Annual Great Lakes Areas of Concern Conference is now available. The conference is being held in Cleveland, OH, Sept. 11-12, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, in partnership with Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Recommends Great Lakes Habitat Restoration Efforts for GLRI Funding
The Cuyahoga River flows through Cascade Valley near Akron, Ohio. Recommended funding will benefit several Great Lakes Areas of Concern, such as the Cuyahoga River Area of Concern. Credit: Summit Metro Parks. (Aug. 5, 2019) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries recommends $8.9 million in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding to build new partnerships and continue NOAA-funded projects to revitalize Great Lakes communities and ecosystems.
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Lake Guardian Research Vessel Sets Sail for 2019 Summer Survey
The Lake Guardian helps U.S. EPA and other partners monitor the health of the Great Lakes. Credit: Mike Milligan, SUNY Fredonia. (Aug. 2, 2019) On August 1st, the EPA Research Vessel Lake Guardian departed for the 36th annual summer water quality survey of Great Lakes open waters. This survey contributes to the EPA Great Lakes National Program Office’s efforts to monitor the overall health of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
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Project to Create Endangered Piping Plover Habitat in St. Louis River Area of Concern Begins August 2019
(Aug. 2, 2019) The U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District has awarded Roen Engineering a construction contract to create Piping Plover habitat in the St. Louis River Area of Concern. Creation of this habitat will contribute to delisting the St. Louis River AOC.
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Trash-Free Great Lakes Grant Program
(July 31, 2019) U.S. EPA has announced a new GLRI grant program specifically focused on funding trash-free water projects in the Great Lakes.
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Barkers Island Beach Restoration Project Completed
Americans with Disabilities Act access to the beach and water and a garbage, recycling and pet waste station at Barkers Island Beach Restoration, Superior, Wisc. (July 30, 2019) Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the City of Superior have completed the Barkers Island Beach Restoration Project, reducing beach closures caused by poor water quality in time for summer.