Wisconsin ranks second in the nation for dam failures in the last two decades, raising concern over whether extreme storms driven by climate change may overwhelm dams and the communities downstream. Read the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Last December, the Coast Guard announced it was closing its station in Ashtabula, Ohio, and downsizing its station in Fairport Harbor, Ohio. The local first responders who had to step up to respond to emergency calls, due to the absence of these Coast Guard resources, did so with far less training in water rescues than their Coast Guard counterparts. Read the full story by WEWS-TV – Cleveland, OH.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is finalizing its Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries, which involves wild trout and finding places to stock 4.2 million hatchery trout each year. The plan is open for public comment until November 2nd. Read the full story by the Pocono Record.
Western Lake Erie’s 2024 algal bloom set a record for arrival time when it established itself on June 24 this year. Now, even with cooler temperatures this week, it could become the second one in modern history to linger into November. Read the full story by The Blade.
Residents near the Apostle Islands in Northern Wisconsin worry that conversion to a national park would overwhelm their small towns along their lake and limit hunting. Read the full story by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Ten years ago, Toledo warned about half a million residents not to drink the water for nearly three days due to algal toxins. Thus far, some studying Erie say we haven’t flexed enough muscle to live up to commitments made in the wake of the crisis. Read the full story by Crain’s Cleveland Business.
Through a collaboration between water operators and scientists, yellow smart buoys bobbing on the surface of Lake Erie are serving as an early warning system for algae blooms. Read the full story by CBC News.
In June 2025, an underwater remotely operated vehicle contest will be hosted by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena, Michigan. More than 1,000 guests from 15 countries are expected to attend. Read the full story by MLive.
Foam from Muskegon Lake in Muskegon, Michigan, contained over 4,000 parts per trillion of PFOS. The source has not been identified because a number of former industries along the shoreline could have used the foam for fire protection or in their industrial processes. Read the full story by the Midland Daily News.
Veteran policy experts discuss how a Harris or Trump presidency may deal with three key topics: Great Lakes restoration, groundwater, and the Line 5 oil pipeline. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Chequamegon Bay near Ashland, Wisconsin, hasn’t seen algae blooms unlike other areas of the Great Lakes struggling with high phosphorus levels. A recent study found that the area doesn’t have the same kind of dissolved phosphorus that is associated with intense agricultural production. Read the full story by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Using trackers to follow the path of plastic bottles in rivers around the Greater Toronto Area, students found hot spots for garbage before it enters Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Read the full story by The Narwhal.