Great Lakes

This is why we love Michigan. What to expect in terms of weather, beach cover and water conditions on the Great Lakes.

One of the biggest pollution cleanup efforts in the Great Lakes region is getting a boost.

Customers get cheaper, cleaner water when communities share the cost of infrastructure. But Michigan’s experience shows how political conflicts and logistical challenges can complicate the math.

Septic systems are common around Elk Lake and many other lake communities. If they’re maintained, they usually manage to keep bacteria and viruses in check. But failing systems can allow contaminated water to seep into nearby bodies of water.

Cities around the Great Lakes region struggle with the cost of water maintenance and operation as their populations decline.

Michigan cities rich and poor, big and small have been delaying maintenance on their water systems for decades. Now, even wealthy towns are suffering the consequences of past reluctance to pay for water system upkeep.

Federal and state governments begin to reverse course on underinvestment to address water’s true cost.

On May 11, Bridge Michigan environment reporter Kelly House and Circle of Blue’s Brett Walton will moderate a Zoom discussion about the crisis of crumbling water infrastructure in our state and region.

Michigan hunters are so adept at hunting elk that state regulators now say a rarely used season in January is no longer necessary.

Limits could go from 3 to 2 per day because recreational anglers exceeded limits with Michigan tribes.

Great Lakes invasive species cling to shipments and navigate canals to migrate, but one aquatic invader — sea lamprey — benefitted from border closures instead.

Samples taken from the big lake revealed widespread PFAS contamination of rainbow smelt, a popular sport fish. State officials advise consuming no more than a few smelt a month for safety reasons.

Bridge Michigan reporter Kelly House moderated a Zoom discussion with three experts about efforts to fight Asian carp and other invasives.

A new $226 million allocation to keep invasive carp out of the Great Lakes is part of a broader, more proactive approach to how the Great Lakes region confronts invasive species issues.

Michigan won’t emerge unscathed if society fails to limit global warming. A landmark report published Monday warns that communities across the globe are behind on planning for the coming extremes.

On March 9, Bridge Michigan environment reporter Kelly House will moderate a Zoom discussion about recent developments in invasive species management efforts in the Great Lakes and potential paths forward.

Expanding spearfishing, new bag limits and size restrictions are among the regulatory changes made by the state.

Next week, scientists from across the Great Lakes will fan out to take a snapshot of winter beneath the ice. Here’s what we know about how climate change is affecting Great Lakes winters, and how research can help.

A shortage of U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers left sailors stranded and caused several cargo delays affecting Great Lakes ports. Federal officials are looking for a solution by March.

The waterfowl are a rare avian success story nowadays, as high water levels create excellent wetlands for breeding.