Preliminary numbers show March is going to be another record-setter for some Great Lakes water levels; Lakes Michigan-Huron, Lake Erie and a Great Lakes connecting lake, Lake St. Clair, will all have new official March water levels. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200331-water-level
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan took strong steps today to ensure at-risk households have access to clean water for hand washing and sanitation through an executive order requiring the reconnection of service to residences that have had water service shut off. Read the full story by WILX-TV – Lansing, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-water-reconnections
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) posted a public advisory at Edgewater Beach in Cleveland Sunday after raw sewage spilled into Lake Erie due to heavy overnight storms. Read the full story by Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-raw-sewage
Leaders of several communities along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline are calling on Gov. Eric Holcomb to declare a state of emergency and help with funding to fight erosion as near-record high water levels continue sweeping away beaches important to tourism. Read the full story by Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-indiana-erosion+
With coronavirus upending the nation’s economy this spring, towns along Michigan’s shore say they’ve still got more to lose when the crisis ends. Any look toward recovery this summer comes with the threat that record-setting water levels are likely to continue, bringing more erosion and more damage. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-surviving-high-water
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ weekly report released Friday showed Lake Michigan has risen 1 inch over the past week and is now 5 inches above the March record set in 1986. Read the full story by WOOD-TV – Detroit, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-michigan-water-rising
April 1 is opening day of trout season and staff at the Randolph (NY) Fish Hatchery plan to finish earlier than usual this year because, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the New York DEC has given them a directive to empty the hatchery as soon as possible. Read the full story by Olean Times Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-trout-stocking
Ohio wildlife officials are keeping a close eye on fishermen, with Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay-at-home mandate allowing them to go fishing if they avoid other anglers and maintain strict social distancing. Read the full story by Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-lake-erie-fishing
Resorts in Cook County, Minnesota are holding “virtual vacations” on their website and social media feeds. They’ll be streaming footage of Lake Superior and other popular tourist spots like Two Harbors, Canal Park and some state parks. Read the full story by KARE-TV – Two Harbors, MN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-virtual-vacation
While schools and non-essential businesses are all closed to some extent by various governors’ orders due to COVID-19, the outdoors is still open and early spring fishing is a great way to get out of the house and grab some fun, fresh air and of course some fish. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-fishing
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is prohibiting the largest livestock operations from spreading manure on croplands during the first three months of the year, a measure which is intended to prevent manure from flowing into waterways. Read the full story by Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200330-spreading-manure
Across Michigan, government leaders, elected officials and emergency managers are nervous, too. They’re looking at ongoing record or higher than average Great Lakes levels, knowing that the next two months will be pivotal for flooding risks and erosion damage. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-high-water
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has shut down the city’s lakefront trails and parks, the popular 606 trail and downtown’s Riverwalk “until further notice,” warning the spread of coronavirus at the crowded spaces was putting the city in danger. Read the full story by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-chicago
The Blue Water Bridge will no longer accept cash transactions from any travelers to help slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Customers who attempt to pay with cash will be prohibited from crossing. To further reduce the risk of transmission, MDOT is asking commuters to use hand sanitizer before providing their cards to the toll collectors. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-border
The Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission set its lakewide Total Allowable Catch (TAC) on Thursday for Ohio and the other state and provincial members of the Lake Erie Committee. The walleye TAC is a 20% boost over last year’s 8.5 million fish, which was a 20% increase from the 7.1 million walleye in 2018. Read the full story by Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-walleye
Michigan DNR chief of parks and recreation Ron Olson said there has been an increase of fishers in a time where unemployment claims have surged. If fishermen and other outdoor enthusiasts do not follow social distancing protocols, restrictions could be implemented. Read the full story by the Detroit Free Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-dnr
According to the Toledo Lucas County Port Authority, when it comes to the inspection of cargo ships, the crew will now be checked out as well as the cargo. Agencies like the Coast Guard and Customs will be making sure the crew is healthy, and in some cases the crew may not be able to disembark from the freighter. Read and view the full story by WTVG TV – Toledo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-toledo
The International Joint Commission is hosting a webinar on high water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River on April 3rd, 2020. Canadian Co-Chair Pierre Béland and U.S. Co-Chair Jane Corwin will host the event, with a French language webinar taking place at 9:30am (EDT) and the English language webinar being held at noon (EDT). Read the full story by the Kingston Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-ijc
The International Joint Commission is hosting a webinar on high water levels in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River on April 3rd, 2020. Canadian Co-Chair Pierre Béland and U.S. Co-Chair Jane Corwin will host the event, with a French language webinar taking place at 9:30am (EDT) and the English language webinar being held at noon (EDT). Read the full story by the Kingston Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200327-ijc
A Traverse City native is taking it upon himself to help clean up our waters. Read the full story by WWTV – TV – Cadillac, MI.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-greatlakes-clean
If you’re interested in using more Great Lakes-related lessons in your at-home learning these days; here are three upcoming webinars that will be focusing on how to teach students remotely about the Great Lakes using the lessons in our collection. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-greatlakes-learning
While all sorts of entertainment and enrichment centers around the Great Lakes are closed in response to the coronavirus crisis, many of them are offering free online programs, activities and tours for the public to enjoy. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-museums-online
The water of a Toronto creek turned red on Tuesday after a company accidentally spilled 400 liters of red ink. Read the full story by Daily Mail.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-ink-toronto
A new stocking strategy will be taking place that will give anglers in the open lake, fishermen taking advantage of the staging fishery off the creek and river mouths, along with tributary fishermen, the biggest bang for their slightly diminished stocking efforts. Read the full story by The Buffalo News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-salmon-ontario
The Seaway’s Montreal/Lake Ontario section will open on April 1, eight days after the opening of the Welland Canal. This hybrid approach will enable the International Joint Commission to move record volumes of water out of Lake Ontario in order to provide relief to lakeshore communities battered by high water levels. Read the full story by WorkBoat.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-seaway-season
Seasonal rise across the lakes has already begun; Hydrologists predict water levels in 2020 will peak at or near those seen last year, in large part because water is entering the system in record volumes. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-coastal
The Minnesota Supreme Court has agreed to hear PolyMet Mining Inc.’s appeal of a ruling that canceled three permits needed for its proposed copper-nickel mine in northeastern Minnesota. Read the full story by The Associated Press.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200326-mining
Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative is encouraging the public to participate in H.O.M.E.S. at Home, a streaming online video program offered by Michigan Sea Grant and Michigan State University Extension. Read the full story by The Alpena News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-livestreaming
New research shows that fishes on either side of Niagara Falls—one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world—are unlikely to breed with one another. Read the full story by phys.org.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-niagara
The 2020 Twin Ports shipping season got underway over the weekend as the “Burns Harbor” became the first laker to depart the Port of Duluth-Superior. Read the full story by KDAL – Duluth, MN.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-shipping
The Flagship Niagara league announced today that it will delay the sailing season for the U.S. Brig Niagara until August. Read the full story by WJET- TV – Erie, PA.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-sailing
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority has been allocated a $10.5 million MARAD Port Infrastructure Development grant to help fund construction of a 56,000-square-foot, rail-served warehouse at the Clure Public Marine Terminal, along with rehabilitation of 1,775 lineal feet of deteriorating dock walls at Berth 10 and 11 of the Clure Terminal Expansion. Read the full story by Marine Log.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-infrastructure-grant
Lake Michigan cities continue to face erosion along their shorelines and, despite dwindling reserves, the problem is far from over. Read the full story by the Indianapolis Star.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-erosion
Guide Mike Hanson was catching sauger and walleye Saturday on the Illinois River below the Starved Rock Lock and Dam when he caught the fish of a lifetime. Read the full story by the Chicago Sun Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-sturgeon
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Alder set sail Sunday from Duluth and are heading south for Lake Michigan to start setting summer aids to navigation (buoys). Read the full story by Business North.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-navigation
Michigan Senator Gary Peters has introduced bipartisan legislation aimed at providing support to local communities facing rising water, coastal erosion, and flooding that has put homes and property at risk and already caused millions in damages. Read the full story by the Huron Daily Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-legislation
The International Joint Commission is opening the floodgates even more to help get as much water out of Lake Ontario as possible before the spring melt. Read the full story by the Recorder and Times.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200324-ijc
Decades of chronic underfunding of water infrastructure is putting many countries at worse risk in the coronavirus crisis, with more than half the global population lacking access to safely managed sanitation, experts said as the UN marked World Water Day on Sunday. Read the full story by The Guardian.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-infrastructure
During the spring migration, Duluth is the best spot to see bald eagles anywhere in North America. One day last migration season, the expert counters here tallied a record-breaking 1,076 bald eagles, the most ever recorded in a single day anywhere in the world. Read the full story by the Duluth News Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-eagle
The U.S. and Ohio environmental protection agencies need to stop resisting their clear responsibility regarding Lake Erie: Enforce the Clean Water Act. Read the full story by the Akron Business Journal.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-erie
As southern Ontario’s population is rapidly growing, suppliers of sand, rock and gravel are being pitted against citizens concerned about the impact urban sprawl and aggregate extraction have on the environment. Read the full story by Great Lakes Echo.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-landuse
As the winter snow starts to melt, the road salt and other chemicals deployed to treat icy roads are slowly trickling into lakes, rivers and streams. In Minnesota, researchers are out taking regular samples of Duluth’s waterways in the hopes of finding out if the world’s largest freshwater lake is at risk of becoming too salty. Read the full story by the Star Tribune.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-salt
As it is it closed to the public, the Great Lakes Science Center is still living up to its mission to make science, technology, engineering and math, aka STEM, come alive – this time with web-based “Curiosity Corner” programming. Read the full story by The News-Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-videos
At a time when many Michigan companies are slowing down due to the coronavirus pandemic, business is booming for contractors working along Lake Michigan’s shoreline as they try to save people’s homes from extremely high water levels. Read the full story by Interlochen Public Radio.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-erosion
In five years during the 19th century, the population of Erie, Pennsylvania, nearly doubled, requiring action to ensure a supply of safe drinking water. Read the full story by The Record Herald.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-waterworks
Ohio’s Ashtabula County Metroparks board met on Friday morning to authorize an agreement for a pair of Greenway Trails. The North Shore Trail, proposed more than 20 years ago, would connect the Western Reserve Greenway Trail to Lake Erie. Read the full story by the Star Beacon.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-metroparks
Michigan homeowners who live on the lakeshore and need to take measures to save their homes or infrastructure are required to get a permit from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy before changes can be made to the shoreline. The agency’s seen a stark increase in the number of permit requests during the first quarter of this fiscal year. Read the full story by The Alpena News.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200323-permits
The coronavirus pandemic has the Great Lakes tourism industry uncertain about their businesses, especially if the epidemic extends into the summer. Read the full story by Great Lakes Now.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200320-parks-biz
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has temporarily made public access to all state parks and recreation areas free in order to limit transactions between the public and staff in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus and to encourage people to pursue healthy activities outdoors. Read the full story by MLive.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200319-restoring-lakes
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation is planning to release more trout into Lake Ontario and Lake Erie watersheds than anticipated because the trout were grown in hatcheries where zebra mussels were discovered, and thus staff have decided to release the fish only in waters where mussels were previously found. Read the full story by the Times Observer.
Great Lakes Commission
https://www.glc.org/dailynews/20200320-trout
