According to a recent study, the presence of algal blooms or E. coli in Ohio’s waterways can drive away visitors and the tourism dollars they bring with them. Researchers studied the economic impact of beach closures in Lake Erie in 2019 when Lake Erie beaches saw a 20% reduction in visitors, costing the area around $22 million in tourism dollars. Read the full story by WOUB-TV – Athens, OH.






Steelhead experts in Erie, Pennsylvania, believe anglers should expect to see large, heavy fish this fall and winter as the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) works on a plan to get back to stocking 1 million fish each year. This year, the PFBC reduced its annual stocking by about 20% as it works on a plan to raise more fish solely in the Lake Erie water basin. Read the full story by the Erie Times-News.






The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Detroit District’s New Lock at the Soo project awarded a $222.7 million contract for the next construction phase to Kokosing Alberici Traylor, LLC of Westerville, Ohio. The contract award will allow for construction to proceed to have a fully functional lock with a completion date in 2030. Read the full story by WPBN-TV – Traverse City, MI.