Even a region known for its water can get a little parched, as shown by the U.S. Drought Monitor late last month.
Droughts in the Midwest are far less significant than those in the South, which looks like a swollen, red bee sting in this graphic from the U.S. Drought Monitor. But parts of Minnesota and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula clearly show areas of severe drought.
The National Drought Mitigation Center classifies a severe drought as one that might result in crop or pasture losses, water shortages and imposed water restrictions.
Drought in these …

Great Lakes environmental issues are on tap Oct. 11-14 in Detroit.  The stories below cover some of the issues that will be discussed during Great Lakes Week 2011 by four international organizations.
 
 
Oct. 14:
Making blue investments that yield green dividends 
Blue investments in a green economy will be discussed Oct. 11-14 in Detroit at the 2011 Great Lakes Week.
 
 
Oct. 13:
Carefully restoring the natural flow of a long-contaminated river
The River Raisin dam remediation project will be discussed Oct. 11-14 in Detroit at the 2011 Great Lakes Week.
 
 
Oct. 12:
Fragrant chemicals may pose threat to humans, environment
Fragrant chemicals are …

A NASA satellite caught a huge cyclone storm last week swirling over Lake Michigan and surrounding states.
A cyclone is an area of low pressure where winds flow counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere, according to the University of Illinois cyclone webpage.  They usually develop when a warm front from the south meets a cold front from the north.  The cold and warm air wrap around a center of low pressure and the air in the center where they meet causes clouds and precipitation.
Mid-latitude cyclones cause …

Under proposed legislation, some Michigan landfills would only need one instead of two liners to keep them from contaminating the environment.