News by Topics - Monitoring
EPA’s Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Summer Sampling of Great Lakes
At the beginning of August, the R/V Lake Guardian began its month-long summer survey of water quality and food-web conditions in all five Great Lakes. Data collected will help protect human health and the environment by safeguarding water quality for drinking and recreation, assessing ecosystem stressors, and managing fisheries.August 13, 2026
GLRI Helps a Rare Butterfly Gain New Ground
Thanks in part to Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and their partners are taking a significant step giving the Poweshiek skipperling a renewed chance at survival.August 10, 2026
EPA’s Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Annual Sampling of Great Lakes
On April 4, 2026, the R/V Lake Guardian began its annual Spring Water Quality Survey. During the month-long survey, scientists will collect water and aquatic life samples from all five Great Lakes to assess the health of the lakes.April 8, 2026
Marking Fish for Maximum Impact
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mass marking program is supporting the recovery of lake trout populations thanks to funding from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.November 13, 2025
EPA’s Research Vessel Lake Guardian Begins Summer Survey of Great Lakes
During the survey, scientists on the R/V Lake Guardian will collect samples of water and aquatic organisms such as plankton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates to assess water quality in the Great Lakes.August 1, 2025
EPA’s 2025 Lake Michigan Benthic Survey Underway
Scientist aboard EPA’s largest research vessel, the R/V Lake Guardian, are collecting benthic samples in Lake Michigan to monitor the abundance and spread of invasive quagga mussels.July 18, 2025
USGS Publishes Updated Interactive Water Quality Dashboard for Great Lakes Tributaries
The updated Interactive Water Quality Dashboard includes data through 2023 and adds chloride to the existing database of water quality variables.May 5, 2025
New Dashboard for Collaborative Great Lakes Benthic Habitat Mapping Project
The release of a new tool depicting bathymetric data and benthic habitat mapping for the Great Lakes Basin is released by NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management.April 21, 2025
Environmental DNA helps detect new Great Lakes invasive species
Using eDNA to detect new Great Lakes invasive species.April 2, 2025
EPA announces Notice of Funding Opportunity to support the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Monitoring Program
The EPA Great Lakes National Program Office has issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to conduct coastal wetlands sampling in support of the Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands Monitoring Program. The deadline to apply is March 14, 2025.January 14, 2025