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Press Mentions

April 27, 2009 - Great Lakes sinkholes a window to ancient life
(Chicago Tribune - James Janega)

A study of sinkholes in Lake Huron's Thunder Bay has discovered rare purple microbes similar to those that live in ocean vents and frozen Antarctic lakes. As groundwater leaks from the lakebed into Lake Huron, it redissolves an ancient seabed, creating a saltwater environment supporting the microbes. The micro-environments in these sinkholes bear a resemblance to the shallow sulfur-rich seas that existed on Earth billions of years ago. Scientists from Wayne State University, Grand Valley State University, and University of Wisconsin-Stout are continuing to study these purple microbes to determine their origin and to attempt to determine the age of the sinkholes.

April 9, 2009 - Researchers: Saginaw Bay's algae problems could get worse before improving (Bay City Times - Jeff Kart)

Scientists believe they're dealing with a new beast in Saginaw Bay, or at least one they didn't think was there. A species of algae called spirogyra may be more prevalent in the bay than has been thought, said Craig Stow, a researcher with the Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab in Ann Arbor, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A new federally-funded study of Saginaw Bay will investigate the algae in the bay that in recent years has been washing up as 'muck' on the beaches.

April 3, 2009 - Muskegon River spawns state's walleye supply
(Muskegon Chronicle - Jeff Alexander)

Since 1978, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has collected millions of walleye eggs each year from fish in the Muskegon. The biological and economic significance of the process cannot be overstated -- the Muskegon River's fishery provides walleye for dozens of lakes and rivers across Michigan's Lower Peninsula. This year's egg collection took on added significance as scientists from the DNR, Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration were on hand to collect samples of walleye eggs, sperm and scales. Fisheries biologist, Ed Rutherford (NOAA/GLERL) is trying to determine why walleye no longer reproduce successfully in the Muskegon River. Various factors may play a role: invasive species, alewives, swift current.

March 16, 2009 - Quagga terror: alien mussels in U.S. waters cause problems for other species (Scientific American - John Platt)

The invasive quagga mussel, native to Ukraine, has severely disrupted the ecosystem of Lake Michigan. Tom Nalepa of GLERL says that the massive colonization of quagga mussels have resulted in a 96% decline in the tiny shrimplike Diporeia, which used to be an important component of the food chain. The quagga mussels are now feeding on the algae that used to help Diporeia thrive. The crash in the Diporeia population leads to hard times for Whitefish and other species that relied on them. Quagga mussels are virtually indigestible.

March 16, 2009 - Climate change and regional growth threaten to lower Lake Michigan level (Press Conference - Shedd Aquarium, Chicago)

A press conference held at Shedd Aquarium involved Illinois Congressman Kirk, the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (George Leshkevich), the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and local environmental leaders. New GLERL data documenting a 30% decline in Great Lakes ice cover since 1972 was presented. Increased winter evaporation due to the lack of ice cover will contribute to the lake's already low levels, while demand for water in the region increases. Congressman Kirk will seek legislation calling on NOAA to conduct long-term ice cover and water level outlooks for the Great Lakes needed for future planning efforts.

February 26, 2009 - Muskegon-based GVSU scientist discovers Great Lakes 'sinkholes' (Muskegon Chronicle - Jeff Alexander)

Sinkholes off the coast of Alpena are being studied by Great Lakes scientists. Formed by groundwater seeping into the lake and dissolving ancient lakebeds, the sinkholes, some as large as football fields, are unusual mini ecosystems populated by purple mats of cyanobacteria and few fish. Bopi Biddanda of GVSU and Steve Ruberg of GLERL are quoted. The project, involving a diverse team of scientists from a number of institutions, is being led by Steve Ruberg. An article about the research project recently appeared in the AGU publication, 'EOS'.

February 18, 2009 - Invasive mussels blamed in Diporeia's demise
(Associated Press/ Detroit Free Press - John Flesher)

The tiny shrimp-like creature so important to the Lake Michigan food web has declined by 96% in the past decade, according to scientists at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Invasive quagga mussels that have populated the majority of the lake's bottom are out competing the Diporeia for food. Whitefish that used to eat the nutrient rich Diporeia are now eating quagga mussels which do not provide sufficient calories.

January 23, 2009 - Hopes high, fingers crossed for Great Lakes trust fund
(Capital News Service - Jack Johnston)

The $5 billion trust fund for Great Lakes restoration and cleanup proposed by candidate Barack Obama is the subject of a lot of hope in the region. Problems such as invasive species need action. Gary Fahnenstiel, ecologist at GLERL, explained that non-native quagga mussels have changed the appearance of Lake Michigan water. The increased clarity indicates that the mussels covering the basin floor have removed food sources from the water column, likely starving other species. Introduced in 2003, the quagga mussel population in the Great Lakes is now estimated at 330 trillion. A collapse of the Lake Michigan salmon industry would severely impact the economy of the northwest part of the state.

January 15, 2009 - Lake effect snow slows as Lake Erie freezes over
(Cleveland Plain Dealer - Michael Scott)

The shallow western basin of Lake Erie is ice covered and the rest of the lake is expected to follow soon. George Leshkevich, of GLERL, stated that even in very cold winters, Lake Erie ice often remains very dynamic - with ice floes moving in the deeper regions. The wind can rapidly move ice floes, influencing local weather patterns. Even a small patch of open water can create a heavy lake-effect snow event in the right areas. A completely frozen Lake Erie would shut down the lake-effect snow, but that has not happened yet. If the current extreme cold continues for several weeks, it is a distinct possibility.

January 7, 2009 - New Great Lakes lab facility provides job opportunities for students (Michigan Daily - Jasmine Zhu)

The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), part of NOAA, dedicated a new building south of Ann Arbor today. The new 40,225 sq foot facility boasts increased lab, office, marine instrumentation, and conference space. Mike Quigley, an ecologist at the lab, emphasized the importance of GLERL's partnership with the University of Michigan. By working closely together sharing resources and knowledge, the quality of our research is improved and many students get a hands on opportunity to participate in Great Lakes science.

July 30, 2008 - At workshop, tackling climate changes effects
(Chicago Tribune - James Janega)

A workshop sponsored by NOAA/GLERL was held recently involving Great Lakes scientists, resource managers and other stake-holders to discuss the impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes. Invasive species and their impact on the food chain and decreased ice cover causing more evaporation and lower water levels were two of the issues explored. NOAA/GLERL scientist Hank Vanderploeg and CILER scientist Donna Kashian were quoted.

July 30, 2008 - Underwater, a disturbing new world
(Chicago Tribune - James Janega)

Mats of dead cladophora, a native green algae, are washing up on the Wisconsin shoreline, irritating homeowners and closing beaches. The culprit is the quagga mussel - an invasive mussel that has covered the bottom of Lake Michigan in recent years. The massive filter-feeding mussel population has cleared the waters to such an extent that the entire ecosystem has changed. Algae can now grow in massive quantities where it couldn't before. Ecologist Hank Vanderploeg of NOAA/GLERL has noticed the lack of forage food that has driven the top predator fish deeper in the water column in search of food. Many fishermen have noticed increasingly skinny lake trout and salmon. The large fish appear to be starving.

July 26, 2008 - Research on Saginaw Bay delves deep to probe water quality and muck issues. (Bay City Times - Jeff Kart)

A 5-year, $3.7 million study of the Saginaw Bay ecosystem has begun. The focus of the study are the many stressors on the system such as iinvasive species, climate change and land use, and how they affect water quality and fish production. The Saginaw Bay area has suffered in recent years from an increasing quantity of 'muck' - or mats of dead algae - that washes up on shoreline areas. Scientists Juli Bressie of NOAA/GLERL and Scott Peacor of Michigan State University suspect that excessive levels of phosphorus are to blame, but the mechanisms are not simple. By monitoring water chemistry, plankton, and fish, scientists hope to discover strategies for improving the health of this very productive bay.

July 25, 2008 - Grand Haven gets deadly rip current sensor.
(Muskegon Chronicle - Jeff Alexander)

An Acoustic Doppler Profiler was recently installed by NOAA/GLERL on the pier near Grand Haven's most popular beach. This instrument uses Sonar to measure the strength of currents along the beach, and should make it easier for the National Weather Service to improve their forecasts of dangerous rip currents, according to oceanographer, Dave Schwab. Rip currents in Lake Michigan cause swimmers to be drawn offshore and have led to several deaths near Grand Haven in recent years.

June 28, 2008 - Great Lakes, Great Peril: a special report.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Dan Egan)

Huge mats of rotting algae are spoiling the beaches of Wisconsin shores for many unhappy waterfront landowners. The aglae, cladophora, grow in the deep clear waters of Lake Michigan and wash up on its shores in stinking piles of rotting slime. The culprit is the invasive zebra and quagga mussels that have colonized the bottom of Lake Michigan since their introduction, probably from a Great Lakes freighter's ballast tank, 20 years ago. The invasive mussels have changed the Lake Michigan ecosystem by removing tiny plants and animals from the water column - resulting in clear water that encourages deep algae growth and doesn't sustain nearly as many fish. Tom Nalepa, of NOAA/GLERL, estimated a Lake Michigan quagga population of 380 trillion in 2005. He believes that population has at least tripled since then, putting the number in the quadrillion category. Meanwhile, the commercial and sport fishery in Lake Michigan is suffering as property values decline.

June 17, 2008 - Tiny, clingy, and destructive: mussel makes its way west
(New York Times - John Collins Rudolf)

The quagga mussel has made it to Lake Mead, Nevada, and has been documented all the way to the Mexican border. NOAA/GLERL ecologist Gary Fahnenstiel explains that the cost in cleaning intake pipes alone will be enormous. Based on the havoc the quagga mussel has wreaked on the Lake Michigan ecosystem in the past 5 years, the inland waters of the west are in for a similar difficult battle.

February 7, 2008 - Shrinking Salmon: lack of prey contributing to decline
(Detroit Free Press - Eric Sharp)

Lake Michigan anglers will be catching fewer and smaller salmon this summer because the salmon are running low on food. Numbers of important prey species such as alewives are at about a third of the amount present in 2005. Researchers can't tell whether the salmon will continue to survive in Lake Michigan or whether the poor conditions will cause a similar collapse to what was observed in Lake Huron several years ago. The culprit is the invasive quagga mussel, which has replaced the zebra mussel in both lakes. Quagga mussels are hardier, can live in more varied conditions, and are more efficient filter feeders than zebra mussels; removing even more particulate matter from the water column, disrupting the food chain. Tom Nalepa, a biologist at NOAA GLERL, sees fish biomass being replaced by mussel biomass, in a similar way to what has happened in Lake Huron.

January 27, 2008 - Great Lakes' lower water levels propel a cascade of hardships (Washington Post - Kari Lydersen)

Declining ice cover on the Great Lakes is a major cause of the lower lake levels that are wreaking havoc on power plants, costing the shipping industry, and frustrating riparians and recreational boaters. Cynthia Sellinger of the NOAA GLERL blames slightly increased air temperatures and markedly increased evaporation (in part, due to the lack of ice cover) that has been observed since the 1970's for the current situation of low levels.

December 17, 2007 - NOAA lauds Great Lakes' lab growth
(Ann Arbor News - John Mulcahy)

NOAA Administrator and retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbaucher described the Ann Arbor based Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory as "the hub of our regional presence in the Great Lakes" as he helped break ground for the new GLERL facility that will enlarge office space and bring wet and dry labs up to date. The laboratory expects to move to the new building on State Rd during the summer of 2008.

November 14, 2007 - Tests show thumb muck contains human waste
(Bay City Times - Jeff Kart)

Newly released tests of muck from six Huron County beaches show mostly indicators of human sewage along with some indicators of cattle, according to the health department. Muck has been fouling thumb area beaches for several seasons - causing declines in property value and much controversy over the likely causes and solutions. CEGLHH scientist and MSU microbiologist, Joan Rose, found that 4 of 6 samples collected from Bay City state park contained indicators that are linked with untreated human sewage.

September 25, 2007 - Tracking Erie's deadly algae
(Columbus Dispatch: Spencer Hunt)

NASA imaging equipment is being used to detect toxic algae in Lake Erie from the air. Microcystis, a blue-green algae that is toxic enough to sicken animals and people exposed to it, is not new to Lake Erie. However, since the invasion of zebra and quagga mussels, there has been an increase in the frequency and size of these mats of dangerous algae that is alarming to scientists. George Leshkevich, of the NOAA GLERL, is using the NASA imaging along with other remote sensing tools to try to develop an early warning system for water treatment plant operators and beach managers.

July 30, 2007 - No-swim advisories often come a day too late for the beach bound (Muskegon Chronicle: Jeff Alexander)

Local and federal authorities are working together to come up with predictive tools to improve the accuracy and timeliness of beach closings. Traditionally, beach closings are based on a 24-hour bacteria culture from a water sample 2-3 days old. Elevated bacteria levels can come from farm runoff, pet feces, combined sewer overflows, and shore birds. The NOAA GLERL has been studying the plume of the Grand River as it enters Lake Michigan to better understand how contaminants travel and to develop predictive models that could be used in the future to help beach managers. Dave Schwab is quoted.

July 28, 2007 - Hotter, lower Lake Superior has scientists seeking clues
(Associated Press: John Flesher)

Lake Superior - the deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes - is getting shallower and warmer, causing concern among many. Superior's level is at the lowest point in 80 years and the average water temperature has increased 4.5 degrees in under 30 years - nearly twice the increase in air temperature for that period. Drought conditions and increased winter evaporation caused by a lack of ice have caused the decline in levels. Brent Lofgren and Cynthia Sellinger of GLERL are quoted.

July 26, 2007 - Lake Erie is getting warmer and smaller
(Cleveland Plain Dealer: Michael Scott)

Continued declines in water levels and increases in water temperatures have many scientists worrying about the health of Lake Erie. Scientists agree that the lake's overall health is better than it was 20 years ago, but the future is uncertain. Problems caused by hypoxia, invasive species, and climate change are impacting a wide variety of people - from recreational boaters to marina owners to water supply providers. A recent study showed that the annual average temperature of Lake Erie has risen 3/4 of a degree in the last 20 years. GLERL scientists Dave Schwab, Cynthia Selliner, and Stuart Ludsin are quoted.

July 10, 2007 - Scientists urge saltwater flushing to kill ballast invasives
(Associated Press: John Flesher)

A new report issued by the University of Michigan and NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory proposes saltwater flushing as a technique to prevent more invasive species in the Great Lakes. The study, involving over 70 lab experiments and data from ports in various locations, suggested that flushing ballast tanks with full strength saltwater was quite effective at reducing the risk that ballast tanks could introduce alien species to the lakes. Tom Johengen of the UM and Dave Reid of GLERL are both quoted.

June 21, 2007 - Great Lakes' past may offer clues on climate
(Chicago Tribune: James Janega)

Although levels on Lake Superior this summer are low enough to be closing some ferry routes, not all scientists are convinced that the current levels are unusually low. Both Thomas Croley II and Cynthia Sellinger of GLERL point out that when viewed in the context of a longer time span, the current level of Lake Superior is not unprecedented. Climate scientists looking at evidence of drowned swamps and pollen records have suggested that average levels have been lower than the present ones in both the 13th and 17th centuries. A recent rise in the temperature of Lake Superior is cause for concern, however, as it will increase the rate of evaporation. George Leshkevich of GLERL points out that the last year of 'normal' ice cover on Lake Superior was 1997.

June 15, 2007 - Study: avoiding predators has its price
(ABC News, AP: John Flesher)

A study conducted by GLERL and MSU researcher Scott Peacor along with Kevin Pangle of MSU and Canadian researcher Ora Johannsson is looking at the impact of an invasive species predator on native Great Lakes zooplankton. They found that as the invasive spiny water flea's numbers grew, the prey daphnia moved to deeper, darker waters in Lakes Erie and Michigan to avoid being eaten. Since the water was colder, their birth rate dropped severely. The daphnia also adjusted to the new predator by growing larger spines, however these modifications interfered with their own ability to catch food. The study concluded that these so called 'nonlethal' effects were actually more harmful to the population as a whole than losing some of their members to predation.

June, 2007 - Tread lightly on the Great Lakes
(Biodiesel Magazine, Nicholas Zeman)

The NOAA/GLERL operates a fleet of vessels used for scientific research on the Great Lakes. Under its 'Green Ships Initiative', GLERL has replaced petroleum usage with biodiesel and biodegradable hydraulic oils, transmission fluid, maintenance lubricants and cleaners in all of its vessels, large and small. These are the first boats in the federal fleet to run on B100. According to Dennis Donahue of GLERL, when compared with high-sulfur petroleum diesel, the substantial reductions in particulate matter (47 percent) and hydrocarbons (68 percent) make a strong argument for using B100. The ships' crews also find that biodiesel fumes are far less offensive than those from petroleum products.

May 30, 2007 - Scientists see trouble ahead for big lakes
(Muskegon Chronicle, Jeff Alexander)

The 50th annual meeting of the International Association for Great Lakes Research, held in State College, PA this week, gave scientists a chance to focus on the health of the Great Lakes - past, present, and future. Present and future threats include a growing list of invasive species that have changed the lakes' ecosystem, threatened important fisheries, and many other problems.

Zebra and quagga mussels that now coat the bottom of Lake Michigan have nearly eliminated diporeia, a freshwater shrimp that used to be a major food source for the ecosystem. The diporeia population in Lake Michigan dropped by 94 percent between 1995 and 2005, according to Tom Nalepa, a researcher at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Recent news of a viral fish disease spreading through the lakes is also cause for alarm.

May 22, 2007 - Grand River will run red this summer
(Grand Rapids Press, Chad Lerch)

A research study in Grand Haven this summer will use red dye to learn more about the
how water contaminants are transported. They study, led by several universities and the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, will help keep humans safe from E coli and other harmful contaminants that force the closure of Lake Michigan beaches every year.

Michael McCormick, an oceanographer with NOAA, said the tracer dye, known as Rhodamine-WT, will be placed in the Grand River near the U.S. 31 drawbridge and will be tracked by aerial photographs. The tracer does not harm wildlife, swimmers, boats, or the drinking water supply, and will not be noticeable to the casual observer. The data gathered will be used to develop forecasting tools to keep boaters and swimmers safe.

March 23, 2007 - Potentially toxic mixture invading bay, experts say
(Green Bay Press Gazette, Paul Brinkmann)

High levels of phosphorus from fertilizer and erosion and zebra mussels have caused a shift in the algae in Green Bay - from relatively harmless green algae to a potentially toxic mix of blue-green algae and bacteria. Zebra mussels don't eat blue-green algae, so they pile up in large, stinking mats along the shoreline. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) have been known to be toxic to humans, wildlife, and pets. The workshop was sponsored by the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health.

March 10, 2007 - Freakish freeze: ice floes push lakeshore
(Tina Lam, Detroit Free Press)

A freak pile-up of ice chunks along the shore of Lake St. Clair was caused by strong eastern winds. George Leshkevich, of the NOAA Great Lakes lab, described it as 'brash ice', which can stack up along or damage concrete seawalls, but can also scour lake bottoms and even sometimes interfere with shipping channels.

February 9, 2007 - Friday Focus on the Environment featuring Lana Pollack and Brent Lofgren
(WEMU, National Public Radio)

Michigan Environmental Council President, Lana Pollack, and GLERL scientist Brent Lofgren discuss the regional and global impacts of global warming. Listen here.

February 5, 2007 - Data shows warming eventually will shrink Great Lakes
(Muskegon Chronicle, Jeff Alexander)

According to a recent UN study of climate change, global warming could lead to a drop in the level of Lakes Michigan and Huron of 5 feet in the next century, according to Brent Lofgren, GLERL physical scientist. The drop would be a result of greatly increased evaporation caused by the absence of winter ice on the lakes. Such a dramatic change would threaten the shipping industry. Warmer water temperatures would endanger the sports fishery in the Great Lakes, making it difficult for cold water species such as salmon and lake trout to survive.

December 21, 2006 - Shrimp joins Great Lakes invader list
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Dan Egan)

Hemimysis anomala - a tiny shrimp native to the Caspian and Black Seas - is the latest non-native species to invade the Great Lakes. The new invader was found near Muskegon by NOAA scientist, Steve Pothoven. Like many others, it has likely arrived from the ballast tanks of freighters. This tiny shrimp may have a large impact on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Although Hemimysis anomala is itself a high quality food source, sometimes planted in reservoirs in Europe to increase fish growth, it is expected to remove many smaller zooplankton species from the food chain. It appears that this new invasive is already reproducing in the Great Lakes. Hemimysis anomyla is the 183rd invasive to turn up in the Great Lakes since the 1980's.

December 18, 2006 - The invasion of the quaggas
(Great Lakes Radio Consortium, Rebecca Willimas)

Great Lakes fishery managers are concerned about fish going hungry. Diporeia, a tiny shrimp-like creature once comprising a huge part of fish diets, has been disappearing and is now gone in some parts of the lakes. The cause according to GLERL biologist Tom Nalepa is invasive mussels. Zebra mussels first upset the environmental balance and have since been replaced by Quagga mussels. The quaggas are spreading farther than zebra mussels did, causing concern that there will be a major collapse of significant Great Lakes fish stocks.

December 14, 2006 - Animal byproducts are a hot issue
(Bay City Times, Jeff Kart)

A recent U.N. report claims that 18% of greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the world's cattle herds. Global warming could also gravely impact the Great Lakes. A recent study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research predicts that severe climate change could result in the lakes dropping so much that their outflows would be closed. The study, by Tom Croley of GLERL, predicts drier and warmer climate in the future, turning the Great Lakes into a terminal system.

December 1, 2006 - Algae causing shoreline muck
(Huron Daily Tribune, Kate Finneren)

The algae scum bothering shoreline property owners in Michigan's thumb area is caused by excess nutrients and invasive species, according to GLERL biologist, Juli Dyble. She explained that both point source (municipalities and industry) and nonpoint sources (urban and agricultural runoff, septic system problems) contribute to nutrient pollution. Zebra mussels have increased the clarity of the water, creating perfect conditions for the algae growth that has been causing problems.

November 18, 2006 - Dashing rogues
(Science News Online, Sid Perkins)

Rogue waves - sudden, unusually large waves that topple ocean freighters and oil platforms - are the stuff of maritime legends. New mathematical analyses are being conducted to try to find a predictive link that could help forecasters and ship captains better deal with these freakish events. Studies of ocean buoy data show that rogue waves (2 to 3 times bigger than surrounding waves) can appear in calm seas as often as in rough conditions according to GLERL oceanographer Paul Liu.

September 3, 2006 - Great Lakes drain away
(Chicago Tribune, staff)

After a decade of warm winters and dry summers, the upper Great Lakes are nearing record low levels. Lake Michigan is 2" below last year's August level and 19" below the longterm average. Besides wreaking havoc for the shipping industry, low water levels are forcing expensive dredging projects and causing rotting of exposed breakwaters.

August 27, 2006 - Troubles grow as area lake levels fall
(Detroit Free Press, Tina Lam)

Riparian home owners and marina owners in the Lake Huron and Lake St. Clair area are suffering the effects of low lake levels - rotting seaweed, dead fish, unsightly exposed breakwaters, etc. Property owners worry about lost property values as their once sandy beaches become grassy marshes. The shipping industry loses money for every inch the lakes drop. The Lake Carriers' Association based in Cleveland reported that cargoes are down 200 to 500 tons this year compared to last year because of lower water levels. Lakes Michigan and Huron have dropped nearly 4 feet from their last relatively high levels in 1997. Low levels are a natural result of warmer winters and less precipitation according to scientists.

July 8, 2006 - GLERL Director Steve Brandt's Radio Interview
(WLBY 1290 AM, Lou Perry Program)

Steve Brandt's radio interview on the Lou Perry Program, Ann Arbor's WLBY 1290 AM on Saturday, July 8, 2006. Various topics of interest to the Great Lakes' community were discussed, including invasive species, beach contamination, lake levels, and biodiesel fuels.

June 8, 2006 - Lake levels up -- and down; despite recent rise, water still below average
(Holland Sentinel, Nathan Peck)

Water levels in Lake Michigan are slightly above last year, but still 16 inches below average. Marina operators in the area report propeller damage and other problems caused by the low water. Commercial shippers must reduce the amount of cargo they can carry when levels go down, which cuts into profit margins. Scientists at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory attribute the relatively low water levels to lower-than-normal snow packs and increased winter evaporation because of a lack of ice on Lake Michigan.

May 18, 2006 - NOAA scientists re-analyze weather conditions during wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
(Bulletin of the American Meterological Society, May 2006)

A re-analysis of weather and wave conditions on Lake Superior during the November 1975 gale that resulted in the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald showed that the Great Lakes freighter was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Thomas Hultquist, with the NWS in Negaunee, MI, Michael Dutter, NWS in Cleveland, and Dave Schwab, physical oceanographer with the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, collaborated to reconstruct weather conditions from the fateful day in order to model the wind/wave conditions faced by the freighter before it sunk. The model hindcasts showed that the Edmund Fitzgerald may have faced waves up to 25 feet high and winds up to 69 mph just prior to its sinking. Hindcasts help meteorologists better understand historical events, which could also improve forecasts.

May 14, 2006 - A new invasion: quagga mussels take over lake
(Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel - Dan Egan)

In the past four years, the invasive quagga mussel has gone from being a rare find on the bottom of Lake Michigan to its now prominent position as not only the successor of the zebra mussel, but the dominant invasive species present. The quagga mussel is closely related to the zebra mussel, and like it, originated in the Black and Caspian Sea area, likely transported to the Great Lakes in ballast water. The quagga mussel is hardier than the zebra mussel; more tolerant of cold water and less dependent on hard substrate to colonize. Where the zebra mussel has mostly impacted nearshore areas, the quagga seems to be blanketing the bottom of the lake and scientists expect the ecological impact to be far more severe in terms of removing food from the water column and changing light penetration. In 2000, Tom Nalepa found an average of 899 zebra mussels per square meter of lake bottom at 160 sites. Quagga mussels now average 7,790 per square meter of lake bottom.

April 11, 2006 - Disordered eating: a common fish in the Great Lakes is struggling with an eating disorder
(Earthwatch Radio - Richard Hoops)

A NOAA biologist studying the diet of the commercially important Great Lakes whitefish says they may be suffering from too much junk food. While whitefish have traditionally feasted on tiny native crustaceans called diporeia, those have all but disappeared in Lakes Michigan and Huron. The whitefish are surviving by filling up on the invasive zebra and quagga mussels that may be responsible for the diporeia's disappearance. The mussels don't provide adequate nutritional value for the whitefish, which is why a whitefish caught today may weigh almost half what an adult would've weighed if caught 10 years ago. Commercial fisherman have noticed the decline and the industry is suffering because of it.

March 13, 2006 - Yellow perch might be recovering from decimation
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Dan Egan)

Recent fish surveys show that the 2005 class of perch, probably the most valuable native fish, may be recovering from its recent slump. A number of factors may have contributed to the yellow perch's recent decline: invasive species disrupting their food source, unfavorable weather, over-fishing, etc. A recent DNR fish survey shows juvenile perch numbers in the fall were more than double the previous record year of 1989. This could be the result of different management strategies, and the mid-1990's halt of the commercial perch industry in Lake Michigan. NOAA scientists are concerned that zebra and quagga mussels, non-native species that have vastly changed the Lake Michigan ecosystem, may be removing a significant portion of the yellow perch's food source from the water column.

February 19, 2006 - On Great Lakes, winter is served straight up
(New York Times - Christopher Maag)

For the first time that Lake Erie islanders could remember, there was no ice in the middle of winter. Lake Erie is generally the first to freeze over. The unusually warm winter has shut down the considerable ice fishing industry in the Put-in-Bay area, as well as calling a halt to iceboat races and driving between islands.

February 19, 2006 - New invasive species mussel threatens lakes
(Muskegon Chronicle - Jeff Alexander)

Quagga mussels may be harder on the Great Lakes than their predecessors, the zebra mussels. NOAA scientists have noted htat quagga mussels are now covering vast areas of the Lake Michigan bottom; greatlyincreased from several years ago. The quaggas are larger, more cold water-tolerant, and in general, heartier than the zebra mussel. Also a filter feeder, the quagga mussel is undoubtedly removing food from the water column that used to feed natural species.

IFYLE Project - Summer, 2005

Many articles were spawned by intensive field work for the IFYLE program on Lake Erie during the summer of 2005. See the IFYLE program page for these press mentions.

June 21, 2005 - New system warns of toxic blooms on Bay
(Bay City Times - Jeff Kart)

Toxic algal blooms occur nearly every year on the Saginaw Bay. This spring, federal researchers at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory began monitoring the bay and three other water bodies - Bear and Muskegon lakes in Muskegon County and western Lake Erie - for harmful blooms, using imagery from NASA satellites and water testing done by university students. The public can access the latest information via a "Harmful Algal Bloom Event Response" link at www.glerl.noaa.gov. In this way, the public has the most current information and can judge for themselves whether or not the conditions pose a health risk.

May 27, 2005 - NetWatch - Frozen in Time
(Science Magazine, Volume 308, p. 1233)

Researchers keeping watch for signs of global warming may want to take a look at NOAA/GLERL scientist, Ray Assel's online ice atlas. The archive at www.glerl.noaa.gov/data/ice/atlas charts ice cover on the lakes from 1973 to 2002, combining measurements from satellites, aircraft, shipboard observers, and other sources. Weekly ice charts and animations are available. The atlas suggests that Great Lakes ice is dwindling.

April 26, 2005 - Scientists delve into Lake Erie dead zone
(Detroit Free Press - Hugh McDiarmid, Jr.)

The NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory has announced a large cooperative study of Lake Erie's anoxic zone. The study, to begin this spring, will involve dozens of experts from Great Lakes states, Canada, universities, and federal agencies. The dead zone is not new. It occurs every year in late summer in the lake's shallow central basin off the Cleveland area, when organic matter like algae dies and settles to the bottom. As it decomposes, it eats oxygen, creating a blanket of water on the bottom several feet deep where living things can't survive. The NOAA-led study has been called IFYLE, International Field Years on Lake Erie. In addition to the problems of anoxia, IFYLE will also study food-web dynamics and their impact on fish populations.

April 25, 2005 - 10 ships to ply Lake Erie to study ailing central basin
(Cleveland Plain Dealer - John C. Kuehner)

A two-year international project led by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will focus on the lake's food chain, which starts at the microscopic level and goes up to predator fish, such as walleye, bass and burbot. As many as 10 research ships will concentrate on the lake's central basin, an area from Huron to Erie, Pa., that has seen fluctuating levels of phosphorus and lower levels of oxygen over the last decade. Researchers will try to understand why low oxygen levels recur in the central basin and whether they affect fish and other aquatic creatures.

December 26, 2004 - NOAA scientist: close door on lake invaders. (Muskegon Chronicle - Jeff Alexander)

Despite new laws banning the introduction of exotic species, the Great Lakes are as vulnerable to attack as ever. A new study to be released soon finds that 'NoBobs' - "no ballast on board" freighters - are still a significant source of exotic species to the Great Lakes due to resting eggs in the sludge of their holds, according to NOAA scientist Gary Fahnenstiel. Fahnenstiel suggests that an easy solution to the nasty problem of invasives would be to close the Welland Canal. This would seal the Great Lakes off from ocean-going frieghters, that carried 30 tons of cargo through the canal in 2004. Non native species have created difficult and costly problems in the lakes in the past 20 years, including endangering the primary sport fisheries, threatening the base of the food chain, and toxic algae blooms. [Full article - on MLive.com]

December 19, 2004 - Led by zebra mussels, a host of invasive species is wreaking ecological havoc in Lake Michigan. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Dan Egan)

Although the introduction of tiny non-native zebra mussels into the Great Lakes in the 1980's was not at first seen as alarming, scientists soon realized that this species had an awesome ability to filter large quantities of water, removing the tiny organisms that form that backbone of the food chain. As a result, native whitefish are starving, perch are struggling (90% decline in 10 years) and algae are causing problems that didn't exist a few years ago. Tom Nalepa commented on the serious implications of the removal of the bottom of the food chain (shrimp-like diporeia) and Gary Fahnenstiel discussed the zebra mussel's selective feeding which has led to high concentrations of toxic microcystis, a blue-green alga, in the Great Lakes. [Full article - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online]

December 12, 2004 - Lake Michigan is showing signs of vulnerability - or even ecological breakdown. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Dan Egan)

Commercial fisherman have noticed that Lake Michigan salmon are showing signs of starvation. Salmon are being caught with largely empty stomachs. The alewife, another non-native species that has been the salmon's main food source, has been in decline for several years. Steve Pothoven, University of Michigan (CILER) biologist, commented that trouble at the top of the food chain probably indicates serious problems for the entire food chain. The stocking of salmon and lake trout, begun in the 1960's and supporting a $4.5 billion annual sport fishery, may be in peril. [Full article - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel online]

October 17, 2004 - Toxic algae blooming in area lakes; scientists blame zebra mussels. (Muskegon Chronicle - Jeff Alexander)

Blue-green algal blooms in Muskegon and White Lake, as well as others, are producing enough toxic microcystins to make the water unsafe for drinking, swimming, or even wading, according to phytoplankton expert Gary Fahnenstiel of the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory's Muskegon field station. The maximum exposure guideline for microcystins is 20 ppb, while Fahnenstiel has observed recent levels near Muskegon ranging from 20 to 96 ppb. Microcystins cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever, rashes, and even liver damage and cancer. Zebra mussels have allowed blue-green algae to flourish by filtering much of their competition out of the water column.
[Full article - MLive.com]

December 18, 2003 - Great Lakes whitefish food shortage poses threat. (Detroit News - Marisa Schultz)

One of the main food sources for Great Lakes whitefish is disappearing, causing concerns for the future of the fishery. Diporeia, a small shrimp-like amphipod, is dying off in huge areas of the lakes. The die off has occurred since zebra mussels invaded the lakes, but the exact mechanism is not known. Diporeia that persist do not seem to be starving. Whitefish caught in recent years are definitely thinner, according to fishermen.

July 16, 2003 - Scientists combine efforts to curb invasive aquatic species.
(CBC News - AP)

The U.S. government has announced a new center for research of aquatic invasive species. The National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species at NOAA/GLERL will work with scientists in government agencies and universities around the world towards solving these expensive and difficult environmental problems.

July 15, 2003 - Scientists launch efforts to understand, curb invasive species
(USA Today - AP)

The government has announced a new center for research into the invasive species problems in the waterways of the U.S. The National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species will be housed in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. [Full article - USA Today online]

July 15, 2003 - Government eyes creepy creatures
(CBS News - AP)

NOAA establishes a new center of research for aquatic invasive species that have wreaked havoc on many U.S. waterways. From the European green crab, a voracious eater of shellfish on the east and west coasts, to the snakehead fish in Maryland, and zebra mussels in the Great Lakes, aquatic invasive species are causing costly problems in many areas. The National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species in Ann Arbor, Michigan will coordinate research, data, and government efforts to study these problems.

March 4, 2003 - Lake level touching bottom, but it's natural
(Chicago Sun-Times - Brandon Loomis)

Lake Michigan's level is low again this year, causing concern for ice fisherman, marina owners, and commercial shippers. The low level can be blamed on high rates of winter evaporation over the past several years. When winters are warm and the Great Lakes do not freeze over, evaporation is a huge source of water loss. The current level is still a half foot above the record low level for Lake Michigan, 576.15 ft, set in 1964.

March 3, 2003 - Snow joke: winter weather won't replenish Great Lakes
(Toledo Blade - Tom Henry)

Despite the current snow cover in the area, the lakes are still under drought conditions. Predictions call for a drop in the lakes' levels this summer of 8-12", causing great concern for recreational and commercial boaters. The winter of 2003 has been cold enough to freeze Lake Erie and much of Lake Huron, preventing more water loss from winter evaporation. The drought that the region has been experiencing since 1999 is expected to continue through this spring.

February 2003 - New food-chain threat musseling into lakes
(Muskegon Chronicle - Dave LeMieux)

The quagga mussel is in the midst of a population explosion, threatening the food-chain in Lake Michigan and other Great Lakes. Related to the zebra mussel, the quagga is larger and can live in deeper water. A prolific breeder like the zebra mussel, the quagga seems to be out-competing the small invertebrates that normally are an important source of food for whitefish. The decline of diporeia, a tiny shrimp-like creature, is causing problems for the whitefish in Lake Michigan as well as other species.

February 2003 - A Nonstop Blast: After mild winters, ice makes presence felt
(Detroit Free Press - Dan Shine)

Much of Lake Erie, the Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, the St. Clair River, and Lake Huron are frozen over. The cold temperatures experienced in the area this winter have produced the most ice cover the U.S. Coast Guard and local ice fishermen have seen for the past 6 years.

November 2002 - NOAA Lab Deploys Wireless Great Lakes Observatory (NOAA Report - Michael Quigley)

NOAA's GLERL deploys the first-ever Great Lakes wireless Internet environmental observatory consisting of an instrument package resting on the sand bottom 50 feet below Lake Michigan's surface. [Full article - NOAA Office of Public Affairs]

April 24, 2002 - Ship moves from Grand Haven to Muskegon
(Muskegon Chronicle - Dave LeMieux)

The University of Michigan's 80-foot research vessel, the Laurentian, is moving to Muskegon under a 15-year lease agreement between the University and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Under the terms of the agreement, U-M scientists and students will still have the option to reserve time on the vessel.

February 24, 2002 - An Unfrozen Lake Erie
(MorningJournal.com (Cleveland, OH) - Kate Moore)

Shallow Lake Erie, usually frozen by late December, did not freeze this winter, causing concern for ice fisherman, environmentalists, marina owners, shippers and others. The missing layer of ice means millions of gallons of water have evaporated this winter, leading to more problems with cargo ships, more dredging required, and other problems associated with low lake levels.

November 30, 2001 - Lake Erie Water Level could Fall
(Toledo Blade - Tom Henry)

Lake Erie is at its lowest point since the mid-1960's, and may get even lower this winter. Cold air moving across a lake that is still cooling down could result in a lot more water lost to evaporation during the late fall. Predictions for the winter are colder than normal temperatures and normal precipitation. The lakes are low now because spring runoff has been below normal for several years.

June 20, 2001 - Zebra mussels starving out Great Lakes native fishes (Environmental News Network)

One of the main components of the whitefish's diet, a tiny crustacean called Diporeia, is disappearing from northern Lake Michigan. Tom Nalepa, research biologist, reported that the Diporeia population in Lake Michigan has declined by 68% between 1994 and 2000. Competition with zebra mussels for phytoplankton is one likely cause for the decline. Diporeia once made up between 25 and 75% of the whitefish's diet. Commercial fishermen report that whitefish caught are thinner and that larger fish used to feeding on whitefish may also be declining.

October 5, 2000 - Lakes plummet; problems grow (Detroit News - Jeremy Pearce)

Dropping lake levels are proving costly and inconvenient to commercial shippers, municipalities, marina owners, and recreational boaters. Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron are all near record low levels. Lakes Erie and Ontario are somewhat higher due to the control gates at Lake Ontario's outlet. The low levels seem to be tied to a relatively warm, dry winter last year - in particular in the Lake Superior basin. Dr. Frank Quinn, research hydrologist, said it will take several more years of data to determine whether we are in a cycle of warmer winters and lower lake levels.

May 23, 2000 - Warmer Lake Michigan has scientists puzzled (Detroit News - Jeremy Pearce)

Lake Michigan's water temperature is the highest its been in 5 years. Scientists are concerned that the warming may adversely impact fish species that depend on colder waters: salmon, trout, and burbot. Temperature changes can impact the reproductive health of a fish population. Although the reasons for the lake water temperature increase are not known, the recent decline in precipitation and increase in evaporation, along with land use changes, are thought to be related.

April, 2000 - Are We Losing the Great Lakes?
(Midwest Living - Nate Hoogeveen)

Lower lake levels and poorer water quality have resulted in lost recreational opportunities, less money spent on tourism, and unhappy times for commercial shipping interests in the Great Lakes in recent years. Causes of the lower levels may be related to global warming, or may just be part of a natural cycle.