GLERL research is organized into four research programs: Ecological Prediction, Aquatic Invasive Species, Physical Environmental Prediction, and Environmental Observing Systems.

Featured GLERL Research

Development of an Integrated Environmental Observing Systems for the Great Lakes
This project brings together a team of NOAA and Great Lakes institutes to construct experimental, integrated environmental observing systems. The integrated environmental observatory prototype will be capable of providing real-time observations of chemical, biological, and physical parameters.
+ Read more

Real-time Meteorological Observation Network
GLERL established and maintains a network of five real-time meteorological stations at exposed coastal sites around southern Lake Michigan: Chicago, Milwaukee, Kenosha, Saugatuck and Michigan City. GLERL makes observations from these stations available to NWS forecast offices at Milwaukee, Chicago, and Grand Rapids in real-time.
+ Read more
+ View Data

Role of Zebra Mussel in Promoting Microcystis Blooms
This study documents the impact of zebra mussels on an entire ecosystem and explains the linkage between zebra mussels and harmful toxic blooms of Microcystis.
+ Read more

No Ballast On Board Vessels (NOBOBs) as Vectors for Nonindigenous Species Introductions to the Great Lakes
The ballasting operations of NOBOB vessels present a previously overlooked risk as a possible vector for invasions via residual ballast material, but the magnitude of risk remains unresolved.
+ Read more

Improved Great Lakes Ice Cover Climatology
The products of this research include over 1,200 electronic ice charts spanning the 1973 to 2002 winter seasons, computer animations of ice cover for each winter season, and statistical analysis of ice cover.
+ Read more
+ Great Lakes Ice Atlas

Next Generation Large Basin Runoff Model
A fast, accurate model of weekly or monthly runoff volumes (with a daily internal computation interval) with relatively simple data requirements.
+ Read more
+ Download page

GLERL Research Centers

NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health
+ Read more

National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species
+Read more

Featured Data Products

Water Levels
Great Lakes daily water level plots compared with last years levels; monthly minimum, maximum, and mean levels.
+ Read more

EcoNtwrk Software
+ Read more

Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species List + Read more

Information Sheets

Water Levels in the Great Lakes (PDF)

Waterborne Contaminants in the Great Lakes (PDF)

Photo Gallery

Fieldwork Photos of GLERL scientists at work in the field and in the laboratory showing sample collection techniques and sampling equipment.
+ View Fieldwork Photo Gallery
+ View Other GLERL Photo Galleries