GLERL research is organized into four research programs: Ecological Prediction, Aquatic Invasive Species, Physical Environmental Prediction, and Environmental Observing Systems.

NOAA 5 year Research Plan

• Earth System Modeling
• Observing Systems and Networks to Support Earth System Modeling
• NOAA Observing Systems Research
• The Role of Our Research Partners

+ download plan [pdf] (36,628 kb)

Featured GLERL Research

+ FY07 GLERL Science Achievements
Results oriented descriptions of projects that have made significant contributions towards NOAA's mission.

Real-time Environmental Coastal Observations Network (RECON) Project
This project brings together a team of NOAA and Great Lakes institutes to construct experimental, integrated environmental observing systems. The integrated environmental observatory provide real-time observations of chemical, biological, and physical parameters.
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+ View Real-time Data

Real-time Meteorological Observation Network
GLERL established and maintains a GLERL established and maintains a network of real-time meteorological stations at exposed coastal sites around southern Lake Michigan (Chicago, Milwaukee, Kenosha, South Haven and Michigan City) for the purposes of analyzing the impact of the meteorological data obtained by this network on nowcasts and forecasts of waves and circulation in the Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System.
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+ View Real-time Data

No Ballast On Board Vessels (NOBOBs) as Vectors for Nonindigenous Species Introductions to the Great Lakes
The ballasting operations of NOBOB vessels present a previously overlooked risk as a possible vector for invasions via residual ballast material, but the magnitude of risk remains unresolved.
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Next Generation Large Basin Runoff Model
A fast, accurate model of weekly or monthly runoff volumes (with a daily internal computation interval) with relatively simple data requirements.
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+ Download page

GLERL Research Centers

NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health
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National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species
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Featured Data Products

Great Lakes Ice Atlas
An Electronic Atlas of Great Lakes Ice Cover Winters: 1973 - 2002
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Water Levels
Great Lakes daily water level plots compared with last years levels; monthly minimum, maximum, and mean levels.
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EcoNtwrk Software
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Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species List
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Information Sheets

Water Levels in the Great Lakes (PDF)

Waterborne Contaminants in the Great Lakes (PDF)

Photo Gallery

Fieldwork Photos of GLERL scientists at work in the field and in the laboratory showing sample collection techniques and sampling equipment.

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