Nearshore

Poll: A fifth of Michigan residents not Great Lakes wet yet

By |

Michigan residents may live in a basin containing nearly 20 percent of the world’s freshwater, but more than 21 percent failed to boat, swim or wade in a Great Lake in the past five years, according to a recent poll conducted by Lansing-based Public Sector Consultants. Here’s what else the poll revealed:

Only 13.5 percent of Michigan potential voters went to every lake during the past five years. Almost 21 percent visited one lake. Almost 19 percent visited two lakes. A little more than 16 percent visited three lakes.

Nearshore

Photo Friday: June dawn at Middle Bass Island

By |

Have an environmental image you’ve taken somewhere within the Great Lakes region and that you’d like to submit for Echo’s Photo Friday series? Send it to greatlakesecho@gmail.com along with the photographer’s name and town of residence, approximate date it was taken, where it was taken and a little bit of description of what we’re looking at. Context such as how you happened to take it, whether there were physical or technical challenges in capturing it or any other “story behind the picture” is also helpful.

Nearshore

Bracing for Lake Erie algae

By |

The amount of harmful algae forecast for Lake Erie is likely to be significant, coating parts of the western basin in toxic green slime. Even moderate blooms can threaten drinking water.

Nearshore

Beach cleanup no celebration

By |

One piece of trash isn’t a big deal. Multiply that by the thousands that flock to the beach for firework events and there’s a big problem. Beach officials are left cleaning up littered beaches after Fourth of July fireworks.

Nearshore

New Ohio water coalition to poll public

By |

 A coalition of Ohio farm, industry, government and environmental groups is rolling out a poll next week to assess which water issues are most important to the public. The new group is called Healthy Water Ohio or HwO. Its mission is to improve water supply, quality and treatment. The group’s steering committee will use the poll and focus groups to plan how to resolve Ohio water problems within the next 20-30 years, said John Stark, freshwater director for The Nature Conservancy. Because the eight counties along Lake Erie generates $38 billion in tourism for Ohio each year, HwO is concerned about water shortages, said Larry Fletcher,the executive director of Lake Erie Shores & Islands, a travel agency that belongs to the coalition.

Nearshore

Photo Friday: Crystal clear Lake Superior

By |

Tired of all those ice-choke pictures of Lake Superior. Here’s a view from warmer times. This picture of Lake Superior was taken by Tim Trombley in the summer of 2013. The remarkably clear water might be nearly invisible if it weren’t for the ripples of the waves. We’re always open to viewer submissions for our Photo Friday series, so feel free to message us on Facebook or Twitter, or send an email to greatlakesecho@gmail.com.