Great Lakes

Asian Carp knocking on the door

New testing methods have shown DNA evidence of Asian carp being as close as 5 miles from the electric barrier in Romeoville.  Many are speculating what may happen if the carp get past the barrier and into Lake Michigan.  Some of my colleagues say the carp will immediately head for river and stream systems to find plankton.  Others question the amount of plankton left in Lake Michigan after the zebra mussel infestation.  Either way, we don't want to find out what will happen! Check out the SunTimes article here.

-Posted by Kurt, fishes

Coast Guard Water Rescue Drills

The Great Lakes team visited the Detroit River Days festival located directly on the Detroit River Walk.  During the festival, the US Coast Guard practiced a water rescue also known as a man overboard drill right in front of our booth.  I was amazed at how fast the crews were able to respond to a person pretending to be distressed in the water.  The whole exercise of flying in the helicopter, lowering the rescue diver, safely pulling up the distress victim, treating the victim for potential injuries and finally pulling up the rescue diver lasted about 5 minutes.  Good work guys!

Posted by Elizabeth, conservation

Rainfall Means Higher Lake Levels

Above average precipitation this year has resulted in higher lake levels in the Great Lakes region.  But just two years ago the Great Lakes were just three inches short of an all time low set in 1964.  Learn more about this by watching our interview on Fox TV.

When talking about lake levels it's important to recognize that the lakes are not a limitless resource.  We have 20 percent of the world's freshwater in our region but need to protect it in order to sustain the resource well into our future.  Water conservation is still very important no matter if the lakes are at an all time high or an all time low. 

--Posted by Kurt, fishes

Lake Levels Rising

In the past couple months water levels in Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes have been rising.  The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration website charts lake levels and records that information daily.

It is great for our ecosystem that water levels are rising but we must put this information in context.  Lake levels fluctuate two or three feet naturally over the course of 20 years.  Weather patterns and natural cycles of the earth contribute to this change.  Though the lake levels are rising right now we still need to be aware of the stresses that climate change may play on our water supply in the future.  We still need to make smart water choices in our homes even though it looks like we are awash in water right now.

--Posted by Kurt, fishes

Electric Barrier Lacks Proper Spark

The electric barrier in Romeoville has structurally been completed since 2006.  The only problem is, as of today, the "on" switch has not been flipped for the electricity to start flowing.  The barrier, designed to keep Asian Carp out of Lake Michigan, is not currently serving its purpose.  According to journalist Dan Egan of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Great Lakes governors and taxpayers alike are frustrated with the slow pace of the process.  Read the complete story here.

The Coast Guard and Army Corp of Engineers have been testing the barrier for two and a half years to ensure its reliability and safety.  The main concerns still lingering are the safety implications if a person should fall in the water near the barrier and the possibility that flammable materials might not safely pass on cargo ships through the barrier.

"The longer we wait the greater the chance is for an Asian Carp invasion," said Jim Robinett.  "Asian carp are dangerous for the ecosystem, the native Great Lakes fish, outdoorsmen and tax payers.  Invasive species are expensive to control so prevention is the key."

--Posted by Elizabeth, conservation

CLIMATE CHANGE MEANS CHANGE FOR GREAT LAKES

I recently attended and presented at the Tribal Climate Change Symposium in Milwaukee organized by EPA Region 5.  This meeting specifically addressed climate change in the Great Lakes region, how Native American tribes are being affected now, future ramifications for these tribes and what they can do to help mitigate the effects.

I learned a lot about climate change, and in particular, the results of some studies going on in the Great Lakes region.  One presentation that I found particularly interesting was about moose in northern Minnesota.  Northern Minnesota is moose’s southernmost range and unfortunately, the moose population is dwindling.  A wildlife biologist from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Reservation in Northeastern Minnesota presented his findings that moose there are dying at higher rates in northern Minnesota than elsewhere in North America.  He believes that this is happening directly and indirectly from climate change.  Heat stress and winter survival of parasitic diseases are the primary reasons for mortality in the population of moose he is studying.  Milder winters are allowing parasites to survive and spread when previously harsh Minnesota winters used to kill them. 

The affects of climate change have been showing up in lots of different ways.  This specific example serves an another reminder that the Great Lakes ecosystem is  more than the water – it is the land, the wildlife and the people who live near them.  Everything is connected.  We depend on the Great Lakes just as much as they depend on us.

Posted by Melanie Napoleon, conservation

Salmon spawning in unusual place

According to the Gary Post-Tribune, this November marks the 20th annual return of Chinook salmon to a wastewater treatment plant in Indiana for the purpose of spawning.  Many are shocked and surprised that a wastewater treatment plant would be the spot these salmon choose for spawning each year.  An added surprise comes when you see how the fish get into the plant.  Salmon must swim up a 200 foot drain pipe that spits out 15 million gallons of water per day.  That is a tough task!

Shedd's senior aquarist in the local waters gallery, Kurt Hettiger, visited the site several years ago to see if the rumors were true.

"Sure enough," said Kurt.  "I spotted the Chinook salmon in what seemed to be a small oasis of fish in the plant.  I was completely surprised and happy to hear that the conditions were clean enough to allow this spawning to go on each year." 

Kurt went on to mention that he went back a second time just to make sure the first visit wasn't a fluke.  "Sure enough, I saw them again," said Kurt.

Listening to Your Lakes on the radio

Today's blog was written by Elizabeth, Great Lakes conservation coordinator

Just to clear things up, Lake Michigan did not conduct any interviews over the radio waves as the title of this blog suggests.  But a representative spoke on behalf of these magnificent bodies of water that desperately need our help.

Earlier this year, Melanie Napoleon, Director of Great Lakes conservation, spoke with Karen Williams of Clear Channel radio WNUA.  The two ladies chatted about the Great Lakes and why it is important to protect this wonderful natural resource. 

At one point Melanie mentioned the four threats facing the Great Lakes, "pollution, invasive species, water over-use and loss of habitat for wildlife." Learn more about these threats facing the Great Lakes and what you can do to help: Download Melanie Napoleon talks about the Great Lakes-Shedd

New Natural control methods

Today's blog was written by Kim, Assistant Director of Great Lakes conservation

Invasive species have affected many waterways throughout the United States.  They represent an issue that affects all of the Great Lakes and some of the most devastating invasive species include zebra mussels and quagga mussels.  Recently, an article was published in the Daily Gazette, bringing to light a biopesticide that has been developed to kill off these destructive mussels.  A New York State Museum researcher was looking for a non-toxic alternative to treating this infestation because previously the only way to get rid of them was to use highly toxic pesticides.  

This biopesticide, which uses natural bacterium, will prove fatal to the mussels that eat too much of it and will likely be available in early 2009. 

We invite you to share your thoughts on invasive species and how beneficial you believe this new pesticide may be to improving the quality of life and sustainability of the Great Lakes’ native species.

Don't toss your tv!

Today's blog was written by Elizabeth, Great Lakes conservation coordinator

By now, everyone should know that television broadcasts will be changing from analogue to digital on February 17, 2009.  This means that older televisions without the digital converter will be obsolete.  Instead of throwing out your television try recycling your old machine.  Materials like plastics, metals and glass can be extracted and reused for new items.  Plus, most electronics, like televisions, contain toxic substances inside them that are hazardous to human health.  If these items are not disposed of properly they could potentially leach into our waterways.  So let's keep e-waste out of landfills and out of our groundwater!

Want to find an e-waste recycle center?  Visit Earth 911 to find a site near you.