Fall 2019 • Issue 3
Technology
Published November 2019
Highlighting a surge of innovation in aquatic research, this issue demonstrates how advanced technologies are revolutionizing our ability to monitor and manage large lake ecosystems. Features range from comprehensive mapping initiatives like Lakebed 2030 and autonomous underwater vehicles detecting harmful algal blooms to molecular tools that track invasive species and acoustic telemetry systems revealing fish movement patterns. The content underscores how real-time data, drones, and genetic sequencing are providing unprecedented insights into water quality, hypoxia, and ecosystem dynamics, enabling more precise and effective environmental management.
Features
AquaHacking
Multidisciplinary teams develop engineering solutions to address freshwater challenges in AquaHacking.
Getting Real
Real-time analyzers and the ErieWatch network provide continuous data on phosphorus.
Underwater Robots
NOAA tests autonomous vehicles to detect microcystin toxins in Lake Erie algal blooms.
Old tech, new approach
A large horizontal mooring helps scientists study convective processes in Lake Superior.
Acoustic telemetry
Acoustic telemetry provides unprecedented insights into fish movement and habitat selection.
Lakebed 2030
The Lakebed 2030 initiative aims for comprehensive mapping of the Great Lakes lakebed.
iNaturalist
Researchers utilize iNaturalist to analyze fish species distributions and infection patterns.
20 Years & Counting
Two decades of molecular biology tools are transforming our understanding of lake ecosystems.
Departments
Joseph Henry Leach
Joseph Henry Leach (1931–2019) contributed significantly to Great Lakes fisheries and zebra mussel research.
A tinge of orange
An EPA glider mapped the hypoxic zone in Lake Erie, revealing iron oxidation.
Up close and personal with Lake Superior periphyton
An autonomous vehicle collects high-resolution images of Lake Superior to model periphyton.
“Smart skin” for sea lamprey detection
Soft pressure sensors detect sea lamprey attachment and trigger deterrents at fish passages.
Looking for research on a specific topic?
Explore our Article Directory to filter all issues by topic, article type, region, or keyword. Or browse the Author Index to find a contributor.
Issues Archive
Great Lakes Policy
spring 2026 • Issue 29
Large lakes of the world
winter 2026 • Issue 28
Science & Innovation
fall 2025 • Issue 27
Science under threat: Stories from the field
Summer 2025 • Issue 26
Communicating Science
Spring 2025 • Issue 25
Science and Hope
Winter 2025 • Issue 24
Oil Spill Science
Fall 2024 • Issue 23
Remote‑Sensing
Summer 2024 • Issue 22
Water on the Move
Spring 2024 • Issue 21
Human Health
Winter 2024 • Issue 20
Plastic Pollution
Fall 2023 • Issue 19
Legal Frameworks
Summer 2023 • Issue 18
Acoustic Monitoring
Spring 2023 • Issue 17
Collaborative Research
Winter 2023 • Issue 16
Long-term Research
Fall 2022 • Issue 15
Coastal Zone
Summer 2022 • Issue 14
Biodiversity
Spring 2022 • Issue 13
Ecosystem Approach
Winter 2022 • Issue 12
Winter Research
Fall 2021 • Issue 11
Climate‑Change Impacts
Summer 2021 • Issue 10
Community Science (Citizen Science)
Spring 2021 • Issue 9
Community Service
Winter 2021 • Issue 8
Indigenous Knowledge
Fall 2020 • Issue 7
Pandemic, Conference Highlights
Summer 2020 • Issue 6
Arts and Science
Spring 2020 • Issue 5
International Collaboration
Winter 2020 • Issue 4
Technology
Fall 2019 • Issue 3
Science and Policy
Summer 2019 • Issue 2
Lakes Letter Redux
Spring 2019 • Issue 1