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A rosette device hovering over a body of a water to collect water quality samples

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

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Lake Guardian
Monitoring
Scientists deploy a dropdown camera from the R/V Lake Guardian to collect video images of invasive Dreissena mussels on the 2021 Lake Michigan benthic survey.

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

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Lake Guardian
Monitoring
Four staff members perform maintenance on a filter nozzle

Clean Waters Ahead: Inside Filter Testing at University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Great Waters Research Collaborative

Filter testing at Great Waters Research Collaborative land-based facility leads to design improvements for shipboard filters.

July 18, 2025

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Invasive Species
Map showing all five Great Lakes noting areas where the total phosphorus flux is likely to increase or decrease. No stations or watersheds show an increase likely. Lake Ontario sections range from change uncertain to decrease highly likely. Lake Erie ranges from change uncertain to decrease likely. Lake Huron ranges from decrease likely to decrease highly likely. Lake Michigan ranges from decrease likely to decrease highly likely. Lake Superior ranges from decrease likely to decrease highly likely.

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

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Monitoring
Overview of the dashboard screen for U.S Great Lakes Collaborative Benthic Mapping

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

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Habitats and Species
Monitoring
Scientist processes environmental DNA using PCR machines

Environmental DNA helps detect new Great Lakes invasive species

Using eDNA to detect new Great Lakes invasive species.

April 2, 2025

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Invasive Species
Monitoring
Beach and waterfront landscape with submerged rubble ridges in the water in the foreground

EPA Announces New 5-Year Plan to Accelerate Restoration of the Great Lakes

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announces an updated action plan for federal agencies and their partners under the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to restore and protect the Great Lakes over the next five years

November 29, 2024

AOCs
Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Habitats and Species
Invasive Species
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Six people along the banks of a stream. 5 of them are hunched over examining things on the ground. A sixth person is squatting in the forefront, his back to us, looking at the water.

NOAA’s Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training Program Announces 2024 Awards

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $652,117 in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding for seven projects that will engage K-12 students in meaningful watershed education experiences under the Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program

September 20, 2024

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Funding
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $255,973 in funding for three projects that will engage Indigenous youth in meaningful place-based watershed educational experiences through the Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program. This initiative is supported by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative under Focus Area 5: Foundation for Future Restoration Actions. Funded projects: ● Michigan Technological University, partnering with Keweenaw Bay Indian Community:

NOAA Announces Indigenous Communities Awards Under the Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded $255,973 in Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding for four projects that will engage Indigenous youth in meaningful watershed education experiences under the Great Lakes Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program.

August 20, 2024

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Funding
The Sample Collection Team from GWRC On Board the Articulated Tug Barge Undaunted/Pere Marquette 41

Sampling Ballast Water Management Systems Onboard Ships in the Great Lakes

Thanks to funding from GLRI, the University of Wisconsin-Superior’s Great Waters Research Collaborative has been working with shipping companies to collect data on board Laker vessels to assess the performance of ballast water management systems.

July 10, 2024

Foundations for Future Restoration Actions
Invasive Species

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