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Michigan
The Upper Midwest Water Science Center provides credible and relevant scientific information on critical water resources issues in MI, MN, WI, and beyond. Major focus areas include Great Lakes, ecosystems science, hydrologic monitoring networks, flood frequency and mapping, water availability, and effects of agricultural and urban practices, mineral extraction, and other human activities.
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The Upper Midwest Water Science Center provides credible and relevant scientific information on critical water resources issues in MI, MN, WI, and beyond. Major focus areas include Great Lakes, ecosystems science, hydrologic monitoring networks, flood frequency and mapping, water availability, and effects of agricultural and urban practices, mineral extraction, and other human activities.
News
Photo Edition | Field Season 2020 - Vol. 2021 | Issue Spring
During the 2020 field season, Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) scientists from across the basin took photos of their research and the unique sites they encountered while in the field. Though the fieldwork season was limited in 2020, below is a sampling of standout photos from our scientists.
If you would like to use any of the photos, visit the GLSC multimedia gallery.
Johnson, Miehls Give Crash Course in Great Lakes Sea Lamprey to Veterinary Students
Clerkship on Aquatic Animal Medicine
New virtual outreach resource from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
A New Resource for Educators and Students
Publications
Delineation of contributing areas for 2017 pumping conditions to selected wells in Ingham County, Michigan
As part of local wellhead protection area programs, areascontributing water to production wells need to be periodicallyupdated because groundwater-flow paths depend in part onthe stresses to the groundwater-flow system. A steady-stategroundwater-flow model that was constructed in 2009 wasupdated to reflect recent (2017) pumping conditions in...
Luukkonen, Carol L.
Constraining the thermal history of the North American Midcontinent Rift System using carbonate clumped isotopes and organic thermal maturity indices
The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is a Late Mesoproterozoic (∼1.1 Ga) sequence of volcanic and sedimentary rocks exposed in the Lake Superior Region of North America. The MRS continues to be the focus of much research due to its economic mineral deposits as well as its archive of Precambrian life and tectonic processes. In order to constrain...
Gallagher, Timothy M.; Sheldon, Nathan D.; Mauk, Jeffrey L.; Petersen, Sierra V.; Gueneli, Nur; Brocks, Jochen J.
Historical files from Federal Government mineral exploration-assistance programs, 1950 to 1974
The Defense Minerals Administration (DMA), Defense Minerals Exploration Administration (DMEA), and Office of Minerals Exploration (OME) mineral exploration programs were active over the period 1950–1974. Under these programs, the Federal Government contributed financial assistance in the exploration for certain strategic and critical minerals. The...
Frank, David G.
Hammond Bay Biological Station
In Partnership with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Invasive Phragmites Science: Management Tools for the Control of Invasive Phragmites to Foster the Restoration of the Great Lakes
The USGS is developing innovative Phragmites control measures to keep this rapidly spreading invasive plant from further expanding its range into new wetland habitats and to aid in the development of successful restoration strategies. Scientists are conducting studies and field tests to determine if fungi that live within the Phragmites are enabling the plant to take over...
Terrestrial Native Species and Habitat Restoration: Pitcher’s Thistle (Cirsium pitcheri)
Pitcher’s thistle (Cirsium pitcher) is a native thistle that grows on beaches and grassland dunes along the shorelines of Lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron. It has been listed as a threatened species likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future due to loss of critical dune habitat. Shoreline development and destructive recreational activities have fragmented remaining...
United States Assessments of Undiscovered Oil and Gas Resources
USGS Energy Resources Program provides periodic assessments of the oil and natural gas endowment of the United States and the World. This website provides access to new, prioritized, assessment results and supporting data for the United States, as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
Edge-of-field monitoring
Edge-of-field monitoring focuses on identifying and reducing agricultural sources of excess nutrients which can threaten the health of streams, rivers, and lakes. Edge-of-field monitoring assesses the quantity and quality of agricultural runoff and evaluates the effectiveness of conservation practices that aim to reduce nutrient loss.
Chemicals of Concern in the Great Lakes Basin
The Great Lakes are an important freshwater source of drinking water, fisheries, and habitat. Chemicals of concern are introduced to the environment by human activities, but resulting ecological consequences are little understood. With federal and University partners, we are characterizing the presence of contaminants and potential effects to fish in Great Lakes tributaries.
Bacterial Pathogens
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) studies the source, occurrence, and distribution of the bacterial pathogens Shiga-toxin producing E. coli (STEC), Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus and the relation of occurrence of pathogens with fecal indicator bacteria, land-use, season, hydrology, geology, weather...
Enhance Great Lakes Beach Recreational Water Quality Decision Making
Important questions about beach closures and management remain unanswered in the Great Lakes where over 500 beaches are routinely used along the nearly 11,000 miles of coastline. The economies of coastal areas are dependent on public confidence in the quality of water at the shoreline, and beach managers need reliable science-based information to make beach closure and beach management...
Antibiotic Resistance
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL) conducts research on antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their genes. We have concentrated our studies on antibiotic-resistant bacteria of human-health concern, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (...
Using optical sensors to detect sewage contamination in the Great Lakes
In the Great Lakes, large volumes of sewage never make it to wastewater treatment plants due to illicit discharges and leaking sewer infrastructure, but contamination can be difficult to detect. This study will define the utility and practicality of using optical sensors to identify the sources and timing of sewage contamination in surface water and storm sewers in real-time field settings....
Isoxaflutole Monitoring
This project is investigating the potential persistence of isoxaflutole, a pesticide, and its metabolites in groundwater and surface water near agricultural fields in Michigan.
Multi-element geochemical analyses of samples from the Mesoproterozoic Nonesuch Formation and Copper Harbor Conglomerate at the Copperwood copper deposit, Western Syncline, Michigan, USA
This data release provides multi-element data for drill core samples from the Mesoproterozoic Nonesuch Formation and Copper Harbor Conglomerate at the Copperwood copper deposit, Michigan, USA.
Airborne magnetic survey, Iron Mountain-Chatham region, central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, 2018
This publication provides digital flight line data for a high-resolution magnetic survey over an area of the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The survey area lies approximately between the towns of Iron Mountain and Chatham. Data for this survey were collected by EON Geosciences under contract with the USGS using a fixed wing aircraft with a magnetometer mounted in the tail stinger. The...
Principal facts of regional gravity data in the central Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and northeastern Wisconsin
Gravity data were collected from 2016 through 2019 to assist in mapping surface and subsurface geology in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan and in neighboring northeastern Wisconsin. This data release provides principal facts for 1536 new gravity stations that were acquired to supplement existing public gravity data coverage.
Density and magnetic susceptibility measurements on Precambrian rocks in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected rock physical property measurements to help understand causative sources of gravity and magnetic survey anomalies in the Iron Mountain-Menominee region, Michigan-Wisconsin. A total of 2,356 measurements of magnetic susceptibility and density from 152 locations have been conducted on Precambrian rocks. The measurements aid in interpretation of ne
Airborne Magnetic Total-Field Survey, Iron Mountain-Menominee Region, Michigan-Wisconsin, USA
This data release includes the airborne magnetic survey data collected from the Iron Mountain-Menominee region of Michigan and Wisconsin. The Mineral Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey is tasked with understanding the nation's mineral resources. Precambrian rocks in the region are poorly mapped and understood. Detailed high-resolution airborne magnetic surveys, ground gravity sur...
Table of electron probe microanalyses of native copper and sulfide minerals from the White Pine sediment-hosted copper deposit, Michigan
This data release provides electron microprobe geochemical data that was collected as part of a scoping study to evaluate whether unconventional critical element resources may be associated with sediment-hosted copper systems in the Midcontinent Rift. We report abundances of trace elements in native copper and sulfide minerals in 12 thin sections from samples of the Mesoproterozoic lower...
Tables of electron probe microanalyses from the Copperwood sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposit, Michigan, USA
This data release provides electron microprobe analyses of ore minerals from the Copperwood sediment-hosted stratiform copper deposit in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The minerals include bornite, chalcocite, native copper, native silver, and pyrite. Minerals were analyzed for Ag, As, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, S, Sb, and Zn. Results with acceptable totals that lie bet
Global Geochemical Database for Critical Minerals in Archived Mine Samples
The Critical Minerals in Archived Mine Samples Database (CMDB) contains chemistry and geologic information for historic ore and ore-related rock samples from mineral deposits in the United States. In addition, the database contains samples from archetypal deposits from 27 other countries in North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Samples were obtained from archived ore
Domestic Wells in the United States
Domestic wells provide drinking water supply for approximately 40 million people in the United States. Knowing the location of these wells, and the populations they serve, is important for identifying heavily used aquifers, locations susceptible to contamination, and populations potentially impacted by poor-quality groundwater.
Multi-element geochemical analyses of selected samples from the Mesoproterozoic Nonesuch Formation and Copper Harbor Conglomerate at the Copperwood copper deposit, Michigan, USA
This data release provides multi-element data for drill core samples from the Mesoproterozoic Nonesuch Formation and Copper Harbor Conglomerate at the Copperwood copper deposit, Michigan, USA. Gold, platinum, and palladium data were collected by fire assay; copper and silver were collected by assay; and other elements were collected by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spect
National Water Information System (NWIS) Mapper
The NWIS mapper provides access to over 1.5 million sites contained in the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), including sites where current and historical surface-water, groundwater, springs, and atmospheric data has been collected. Users can search by site type, data type, site number, or place.
Updated aeromagnetic and gravity anomaly compilations and elevation-bathymetry models over Lake Superior
New gravity and magnetic compilations and elevation-bathymetry models have been compiled for the Lake Superior region. These data provide continuous sets of observations for geologic interpretations spanning political boundaries such as US States and the US-Canada border where bedrock geology is largely concealed beneath glacial deposits and surface water. These data are providing constraints...
Domestic wells provide drinking water supply for approximately 40 million people in the United States. Knowing the location of these wells, and the populations they serve, is important for identifying heavily used aquifers, locations susceptible to contamination, and populations potentially impacted by poor-quality groundwater.
This map shows the provinces assessed by the USGS for undiscovered oil and gas resources.
The FishVis Mapper is the product of an Upper Midwest and Great Lakes LCC project, “A Regional Decision Support Tool for Identifying Vulnerabilities of Riverine Habitat and Fishes to Climate Change” that developed an approach for predicting fish species occurrence under current climate conditions and project how fish species occurrence may change under future climate conditions.
Available online are estimated Secchi-disk transparency (eSDT) and corresponding estimated trophic state index (eTSI) values for Michigan inland lakes. To view available eSDT for Michigan inland lakes greater than 20 acres without interference from clouds, cloud shadows, dense vegetation or shoreline, go to the Michigan Lake Water Clarity Interactive Map Viewer.
The 3DEP products and services available through The National Map consist of standard digital elevation models (DEMs) at various horizontal resolutions, elevation source and associated datasets, an elevation point query service and bulk point query service. All 3DEP products are available, free of charge and without use restrictions.
Delineation of contributing areas for 2017 pumping conditions to selected wells in Ingham County, Michigan
As part of local wellhead protection area programs, areascontributing water to production wells need to be periodicallyupdated because groundwater-flow paths depend in part onthe stresses to the groundwater-flow system. A steady-stategroundwater-flow model that was constructed in 2009 wasupdated to reflect recent (2017) pumping conditions in...
Luukkonen, Carol L. Constraining the thermal history of the North American Midcontinent Rift System using carbonate clumped isotopes and organic thermal maturity indices
The Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) is a Late Mesoproterozoic (∼1.1 Ga) sequence of volcanic and sedimentary rocks exposed in the Lake Superior Region of North America. The MRS continues to be the focus of much research due to its economic mineral deposits as well as its archive of Precambrian life and tectonic processes. In order to constrain...
Gallagher, Timothy M.; Sheldon, Nathan D.; Mauk, Jeffrey L.; Petersen, Sierra V.; Gueneli, Nur; Brocks, Jochen J. Historical files from Federal Government mineral exploration-assistance programs, 1950 to 1974
The Defense Minerals Administration (DMA), Defense Minerals Exploration Administration (DMEA), and Office of Minerals Exploration (OME) mineral exploration programs were active over the period 1950–1974. Under these programs, the Federal Government contributed financial assistance in the exploration for certain strategic and critical minerals. The...
Frank, David G. A random-walk algorithm for modeling lithospheric density and the role of body forces in the evolution of the Midcontinent Rift
This paper develops a Monte Carlo algorithm for extracting three-dimensional lithospheric density models from geophysical data. Empirical scaling relationships between velocity and density create a 3D starting density model, which is then iteratively refined until it reproduces observed gravity and topography. This approach permits deviations from...
Levandowski, William Brower; Boyd, Oliver S.; Briggs, Richard W.; Gold, Ryan D. Characterization of a novel hepadnavirus in the white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) from the Great Lakes Region of the USA
The white sucker Catostomus commersonii is a freshwater teleost often utilized as a resident sentinel. Here, we sequenced the full genome of a hepatitis B-like virus that infects white suckers from the Great Lakes Region of the USA. Dideoxysequencing confirmed the white sucker hepatitis B virus (WSHBV) has a circular genome (3542 bp) with the...
Hahn, Cassidy M.; Iwanowicz, Luke R.; Cornman, Robert S.; Conway, Carla M.; Winton, James R.; Blazer, Vicki S. Northern goshawk monitoring in the western Great Lakes bioregion
Uncertainties about factors affecting Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) ecology and the status of populations have added to the challenge of managing this species. To address data needs for determining the status of goshawk populations, Hargis and Woodbridge (2006) developed a bioregional monitoring protocol based on estimating...
Bruggeman, Jason E.; Andersen, David E.; Woodford, James E.
Estimation of groundwater use for a groundwater-flow model of the Lake Michigan Basin and adjacent areas, 1864-2005
The U.S. Geological Survey, at the request of Congress, is assessing the availability and use of the Nation's water resources to help characterize how much water is available now, how water availability is changing, and how much water can be expected to be available in the future. The Great Lakes Basin Pilot project of the U.S. Geological Survey...
Buchwald, Cheryl A.; Luukkonen, Carol L.; Rachol, Cynthia M.
Estimated Withdrawals and Other Elements of Water Use in the Great Lakes Basin of the United States in 2005
Estimates of water withdrawals in the United States part of the Great Lakes Basin and 107 of its watersheds designated by the 8-digit hydrologic unit code (HUCs) indicate that about 30.3 billion gallons per day (Bgal/d) were withdrawn for practically all categories of use in 2005. Virtually all water withdrawn was freshwater. Surface-water...
Mills, P.C.; Sharpe, Jennifer B.
Application of AFINCH as a tool for evaluating the effects of streamflow-gaging-network size and composition on the accuracy and precision of streamflow estimates at ungaged locations in the southeast Lake Michigan hydrologic subregion
Bootstrapping techniques employing random subsampling were used with the AFINCH (Analysis of Flows In Networks of CHannels) model to gain insights into the effects of variation in streamflow-gaging-network size and composition on the accuracy and precision of streamflow estimates at ungaged locations in the 0405 (Southeast Lake Michigan)...
Koltun, G.F.; Holtschlag, David J.
Processing, Analysis, and General Evaluation of Well-Driller Logs for Estimating Hydrogeologic Parameters of the Glacial Sediments in a Ground-Water Flow Model of the Lake Michigan Basin
In 2005, the U.S. Geological Survey began a pilot study for the National Assessment of Water Availability and Use Program to assess the availability of water and water use in the Great Lakes Basin. Part of the study involves constructing a ground-water flow model for the Lake Michigan part of the Basin. Most ground-water flow occurs in the glacial...
Arihood, Leslie D. Isolation of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus from muskellunge, Esox masquinongy (Mitchill), in Lake St Clair, Michigan, USA reveals a new sublineage of the North American genotype
Viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) was isolated from muskellunge, Esox masquinongy (Mitchill), caught from the NW portion of Lake St Clair, Michigan, USA in 2003. Affected fish exhibited congestion of internal organs; the inner wall of the swim bladder was thickened and contained numerous budding, fluid-filled vesicles. A virus was...
Elsayed, E.; Faisal, M.; Thomas, M.; Whelan, G.; Batts, W.; Winton, J.
Water use for irrigation in Michigan, 2001
Each year, water-use data for Michigan are compiled or estimated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), working in cooperation with the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS). The resulting information provides a category-by-category profile of over 4,200 facilities throughout the State. The data are reported in the Michigan Water Use...
Morenz, Michele L.; Van Til, Ron L.; Luukkonen, Carol L.
This data exploration tool is intented for use by researchers, resource managers, and the public to better understand the status of the fish community in Lake Erie.
STRMDEPL08—An Extended Version of STRMDEPL with Additional Analytical Solutions to Calculate Streamflow Depletion by Nearby Pumping Well
GLSC Diver Collects Cladophora Samples in Lake Michigan
Emily Wimmer (GLSC, Ann Arbor, Michigan) collects Cladophora growing at 6m depth in Lake Michigan.
HBBS Participates in Brave Wilderness Episode Shoot
Brave Wilderness host, Coyote Peterson, holds his hands in a tank of live sea lamprey while filming the first of two sea lamprey-focused episodes for the show’s YouTube channel. GLSC communications associate, Dr. Andrea Miehls, assisted the Brave Wilderness team while filming in multiple remote locations across northeastern Michigan.
Juvenile Cisco in a Holding Tank at HBBS
Juvenile cisco (Coregonus artedi) swim in a tank at Hammond Bay Biological Station. The station hosts multiple researchers conducting projects to aid restoration of Great Lakes cisco populations.
Beaver Island During a Fall Gillnet Survey
View of Beaver Island captured during a fall gillnet survey assessing the adult lake trout population in the Northern Refuge of Lake Michigan in support of restoration.
Measuring Fish During Lake Huron Acoustic Survey
GLSC Fisheries Technician Kristy Phillips (Ann Arbor, Michigan) measuring and Supervisory Biologist Tim O’Brien (Ann Arbor, Michigan) recording biometric data for fish species caught during the 2020 Lake Huron acoustics cruise aboard the Great Lakes Science Center’s R/V Sturgeon.
Tethered Boats Keeping a Distance
The tethered boats are well-distanced from one another while researchers SCUBA dive in Lake Huron as part of the Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project.
USGS Great Lakes Science Center’s Sea Ark at Sunrise
The USGS Great Lakes Science Center’s Sea Ark at sunrise as the crew prepares to tend acoustic telemetry receivers around Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior; the receivers monitor movement of tagged native lake trout in the area.
ARIS hydroacoustic sonar collecting fish passage imagery
An Adaptive Resolution Imaging Sonar (ARIS) unit (Sound Metrics Corp., Bellevue, WA, USA) collects underwater images using sound waves at a water-control structure placed within the USFWS Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw, Michigan. Image data, collected at all times of day and in clear to poor water clarity, will inform scientists about fish habitat use of
...
Using a quadrat to count invasive Phragmites
Dwarfed by the Zilwaukee bridge in Saginaw, Michigan, a GLSC contractor prepares to use a quadrat to count invasive Phragmites as part of a monitoring assistance program through the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework. Read more at https://www.greatlakesphragmites.net/pamf/
A praying mantis assists with field monitoring of invasive Phragmites
A praying mantis assists with field monitoring of invasive Phragmites in Saginaw, Michigan. Measuring establishment of Phragmites is an important aspect of the Phragmites Adaptive Management Framework.
Masks and Social Distance Practice in the Field
Members of the USGS Great Lakes Science Center’s Cladophora Project team posed for a socially distanced photo before sampling in Lake Huron. The Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project is a Great Lakes-wide study into whether nuisance Cladophora algae could be managed by limiting phosphorus inputs.
Diver Entering Lake Huron to Monitor Cladophora
After making a splash in Lake Huron, diver and USGS Great Lakes Science Center contractor, Ashley Spoljaric (Chesterton, Indiana) will survey the area for the nuisance algae Cladophora and invasive dreissenid mussel populations as part of the Great Lakes Integrated Cladophora Assessment Project.
During the 2020 field season, Great Lakes Science Center (GLSC) scientists from across the basin took photos of their research and the unique sites they encountered while in the field. Though the fieldwork season was limited in 2020, below is a sampling of standout photos from our scientists.
If you would like to use any of the photos, visit the GLSC multimedia gallery.
Clerkship on Aquatic Animal Medicine
A New Resource for Educators and Students
Adaptive Management Framework to Test and Assess Emerging Sea Lamprey Control Tools
Using Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to Estimate Populations
Brave Wilderness (YouTube) featured our Hammond Bay Biological Station's research on Sea Lamprey control in the Great Lakes during two episodes released in November 2020.
Good Morning America (ABC) highlighted National Geographic's cover story on the Great Lakes for their December 2020 issue. GLSC's Hammond Bay Biological Station put a spotlight on its Sea Lamprey research during a 2019 photo shoot.
Learn more about the recent field activities completed by scientists in the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program at the USGS, and explore the Science Projects that guide this fieldwork.
Summary statistics are now available for this challenge. Thanks again to everyone who contributed!
This challenge is now complete! Thank you to everyone who contributed!
CALLING ALL PEER REVIEWERS! This challenge is getting closer and closer to completion. Volunteers contributed over 500 edits to this challenge since last week - thank you! There are still several green points that need to be reviewed, making this an excellent challenge for Peer Reviewers!
CALLING ALL PEER REVIEWERS! This challenge is nearing completion with close to 250 edits since last week. However, there are still several green points that need reviewed, making this an excellent project for Peer Reviewers!
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Locations
Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Lansing, Mich., Office
Phone: 517-887-8903
Fax: 517-887-8937
Great Lakes Science Center
Phone: 734-994-3331
Fax: 734-994-8780
Michigan Bacteriological Research Laboratory (MI-BaRL)
Phone: 517-887-8903
Fax: 517-887-8937
Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Grayling, Mich., Field Office
Phone: 989-348-8291
Fax: 989-348-6866
Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Lansing, Mich., Field Office
Phone: 517-887-8903
Fax: 517-887-8937
Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Gladstone, Mich., Field Office
Phone: (906) 428-5800
Hammond Bay Biological Station
Phone: 989-734-4768
Fax: 989-734-4494
Cheboygan Vessel Base
jbergan@usgs.gov
Phone: 231-627-4571
Fax: 231-627-8791