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Large inland waterbodies are oceanic in many ways, facing many of the same issues as the ocean. The USGS conducts research and monitoring in the Great Lakes region and in other inland seas across the country to understand these large bodies of water and inform how we use and manage them.
Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) scientists work in the Great Lakes region and other parts of the country to meet the nation’s need for scientific information used by resource managers to restore, enhance, manage, and protect the living resources and habitats in the Great Lakes basin.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was established in 2009 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The USGS is collaborating with partners to provide science to meet GLRI Action Plan goals and inform resource management decisions.
Changes in regional water management practices have reduced freshwater inflow to the Salton Sea, changing what was once a popular vacation destination to a shrinking hypersaline lake. As the lake bed dries, managers will depend on careful monitoring and research to inform critical decisions affecting the future of the lake and surrounding communities.
The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—form the largest surface of freshwater in the world, comprising more than 94,250 square miles (244,106 square kilometers) of east-central North America. The lakes are critical components of the regional economies in both the United States and Canada. They are important sources of drinking water, transportation, and irrigation, and provide recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, hunting, and bird watching, as well as vital habitat to a myriad of wildlife species like the bald eagle. They also face threats such as invasive species, harmful algal blooms, and pressures from human activities related to mining and other resource use and extraction.
In addition to studying the Great Lakes, USGS scientists are conducting similar research in other inland seas, such as Great Salt Lake and the Salton Sea. This research helps to provide resource managers with the information they need to restore, enhance, manage, and protect living resources and habitats.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Generalized geologic map of the Midcontinent Rift, Lake Superior region, showing sedimentary, volcanic, and intrusive rocks and major and minor faults. The location of the Copperwood and White Pine mineral deposits are shown.
Generalized geologic map of the Midcontinent Rift, Lake Superior region, showing sedimentary, volcanic, and intrusive rocks and major and minor faults. The location of the Copperwood and White Pine mineral deposits are shown.
Generalized geologic map of the western Lake Superior region, showing igneous and sedimentary rock types, selected geologic structures and mines.
Generalized geologic map of the western Lake Superior region, showing igneous and sedimentary rock types, selected geologic structures and mines.
Water collection rosette with twelve Niskin bottles, Seabird profiler and Fluoroprobe. Provides water column profile and water samples for chlorophyll and phytoplankton.
Water collection rosette with twelve Niskin bottles, Seabird profiler and Fluoroprobe. Provides water column profile and water samples for chlorophyll and phytoplankton.
This is an autonomous underwate vehicle (AUV) deployed in the west arm or Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan near Traverse City.
This is an autonomous underwate vehicle (AUV) deployed in the west arm or Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan near Traverse City.
Two SCUBA divers, one at the center pivot (on the left), the other running an integrated camera and scooter (right) run a circular transect in Lake Ontario
Two SCUBA divers, one at the center pivot (on the left), the other running an integrated camera and scooter (right) run a circular transect in Lake Ontario
Lake Michigan lake-bottom near South Manitou Island. Visible is part of a diver's hand and the corner of a anchor point used for circular transects.
Lake Michigan lake-bottom near South Manitou Island. Visible is part of a diver's hand and the corner of a anchor point used for circular transects.
Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: U.S.
Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: U.S.
USGS Landsat 8 image showing algal bloom in Lake Erie in September of 2017. Landsat’s spectral bands allow researchers to see photosynthetic activity that is invisible to the naked eye.
USGS Landsat 8 image showing algal bloom in Lake Erie in September of 2017. Landsat’s spectral bands allow researchers to see photosynthetic activity that is invisible to the naked eye.
Great Salt Lake, declining water level
Great Salt Lake, declining water level
This video was created as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center.
This video was created as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center.
Toxic Algal Bloom, Lake Eire, 2011
Toxic Algal Bloom, Lake Eire, 2011
Large inland waterbodies are oceanic in many ways, facing many of the same issues as the ocean. The USGS conducts research and monitoring in the Great Lakes region and in other inland seas across the country to understand these large bodies of water and inform how we use and manage them.
Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) scientists work in the Great Lakes region and other parts of the country to meet the nation’s need for scientific information used by resource managers to restore, enhance, manage, and protect the living resources and habitats in the Great Lakes basin.
The Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) was established in 2009 to accelerate efforts to protect and restore the Great Lakes. The USGS is collaborating with partners to provide science to meet GLRI Action Plan goals and inform resource management decisions.
Changes in regional water management practices have reduced freshwater inflow to the Salton Sea, changing what was once a popular vacation destination to a shrinking hypersaline lake. As the lake bed dries, managers will depend on careful monitoring and research to inform critical decisions affecting the future of the lake and surrounding communities.
The Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario—form the largest surface of freshwater in the world, comprising more than 94,250 square miles (244,106 square kilometers) of east-central North America. The lakes are critical components of the regional economies in both the United States and Canada. They are important sources of drinking water, transportation, and irrigation, and provide recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, hunting, and bird watching, as well as vital habitat to a myriad of wildlife species like the bald eagle. They also face threats such as invasive species, harmful algal blooms, and pressures from human activities related to mining and other resource use and extraction.
In addition to studying the Great Lakes, USGS scientists are conducting similar research in other inland seas, such as Great Salt Lake and the Salton Sea. This research helps to provide resource managers with the information they need to restore, enhance, manage, and protect living resources and habitats.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Sediments swirl in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair in this Landsat 9 image of both Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, from Oct. 31, 2021. The Great Lakes serve as sources of freshwater, recreational activity, transport, and habitat for the upper-midwestern US, and water quality remains a high priority.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
A masked USGS Great Lakes Science Center technician deploys an acoustic receiver into the waters of Lake Superior near Isle Royale National Park; the receivers will track the movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Map showing the Salton Sea, CA earthquake swarm of August 2020 (as of August 11, 2020). Circles are earthquake locations, red indicates an earthquake in the past hour, orange the past 24 hours, and yellow the past 7 days.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Location of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Project.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Climate change is predicted to alter sport fish communities in Midwestern lakes, but managers currently have limited information on individual lakes that can be used to set local expectations or intervene with mitigation strategies.
Generalized geologic map of the Midcontinent Rift, Lake Superior region, showing sedimentary, volcanic, and intrusive rocks and major and minor faults. The location of the Copperwood and White Pine mineral deposits are shown.
Generalized geologic map of the Midcontinent Rift, Lake Superior region, showing sedimentary, volcanic, and intrusive rocks and major and minor faults. The location of the Copperwood and White Pine mineral deposits are shown.
Generalized geologic map of the western Lake Superior region, showing igneous and sedimentary rock types, selected geologic structures and mines.
Generalized geologic map of the western Lake Superior region, showing igneous and sedimentary rock types, selected geologic structures and mines.
Water collection rosette with twelve Niskin bottles, Seabird profiler and Fluoroprobe. Provides water column profile and water samples for chlorophyll and phytoplankton.
Water collection rosette with twelve Niskin bottles, Seabird profiler and Fluoroprobe. Provides water column profile and water samples for chlorophyll and phytoplankton.
This is an autonomous underwate vehicle (AUV) deployed in the west arm or Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan near Traverse City.
This is an autonomous underwate vehicle (AUV) deployed in the west arm or Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Michigan near Traverse City.
Two SCUBA divers, one at the center pivot (on the left), the other running an integrated camera and scooter (right) run a circular transect in Lake Ontario
Two SCUBA divers, one at the center pivot (on the left), the other running an integrated camera and scooter (right) run a circular transect in Lake Ontario
Lake Michigan lake-bottom near South Manitou Island. Visible is part of a diver's hand and the corner of a anchor point used for circular transects.
Lake Michigan lake-bottom near South Manitou Island. Visible is part of a diver's hand and the corner of a anchor point used for circular transects.
Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: U.S.
Citation: Citation_Information: Originator: U.S.
USGS Landsat 8 image showing algal bloom in Lake Erie in September of 2017. Landsat’s spectral bands allow researchers to see photosynthetic activity that is invisible to the naked eye.
USGS Landsat 8 image showing algal bloom in Lake Erie in September of 2017. Landsat’s spectral bands allow researchers to see photosynthetic activity that is invisible to the naked eye.
Great Salt Lake, declining water level
Great Salt Lake, declining water level
This video was created as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center.
This video was created as part of the Climate Change Science and Management Webinar Series hosted by the U.S. Geological Survey's National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Conservation Training Center.
Toxic Algal Bloom, Lake Eire, 2011
Toxic Algal Bloom, Lake Eire, 2011