Midwest Lakes Policy Center

Lake Pepin Monster

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:30:10 -0600

Does Lake Pepin have a monster living beneath the surface? Since 1871, reported sightings of a strange creature have popped up in newspapers, radio and on television. Learn more about the history of the creature, above.

California's Water Battle

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:43:29 -0600

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has been touring parts of California to assess water rationing in the state. A battle between farmers and conservationists has been brewing for years, as water allocations have dwindled for farmers. Aquifers in Fresno County are being depleted, and 450,000 acres of farmland cannot be used due to lack of water. Read an article on the battle, here.

Pandora's Locks

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:45:48 -0600

Environmental writer, Jeff Alexander, has written a new book about the destruction created by invasive species in the Great Lakes. "Pandora's Locks, The Opening of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway", follows the path of the creation of the seaway and the ecological nightmare that continues today. Learn more or buy the book, here.

Lake Huron's Ancient Civilizations

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:40:15 -0600

Scientists have found evidence of the possibility of ancient landscapes and settlements beneath Lake Huron from over 9,000 years ago. Evidence of what appears to be stone and rock line formations used to hunt caribou, were found by a video survey. Read through the whole study, here.

Boundary Waters Videos and Information

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:11:13 -0600

Heading to the Boundary Waters this summer, or wishing you could paddle the many lakes of the wilderness? Watch the "Leave No Trace" video which is required viewing by all canoeists to enter the wilderness. Also, here is a great link to learn more about the BWCA. It has videos and tips on everything from portaging, packing and cooking in the wilderness. Boundary Waters Videos and Information.

Quetico Provincial Park's 100th Birthday

Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:25:58 -0600

Quetico Provincial Park and Superior National Forest are celebrating their centennials. The areas are known for their canoeing, hiking and fishing opportunities. Quetico is over 1.2 million acres in size, and has over 600 named lakes. There will be celebrations throughout the summer for the parks. Find out more, here.

Lake Geneva and Glaciers

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:40:43 -0600

According to reports out of Switzerland, Lake Geneva now contains more water than the receding glaciers in the country. The glaciers have shrunk by 12% in the last decade, temperatures are predicted to rise by 3 degrees Celsius in the region by 2050. Listen to the report on Swiss radio, here.

Politics and the Great Lakes

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 08:17:06 -0600

Dredging, erosion and climate change are causing major problems for our Great Lakes. But, is what goes on behind closed doors in political circles the real reason our lakes are suffering? Read more, here.

Global Climate Change Impacts in the U.S.

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:46:13 -0600

With major storms and flooding again impacting the Midwest this summer, a new report reveals what may be in the future for the region and the world. Heavy rains and heat waves will become common place do to climate change here in the Great Lakes basin. Air quality and water quality will be effected by the ever-changing climate. Read through the report, Global Climate Change Impacts in the U.S., here.

Lake Erie Wind Farm

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 08:45:10 -0600

The New York State Power Authority is moving quickly with companies to find a way to bring wind turbines to Lake Erie. CEO Richard Kessel has said that 14 companies have approached the NYPA in the last two months with proposals for wind farms. A meeting is set for June 30th to seek approval for the project. Learn more, here.

Crystal, Fish and Mud Lake District

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:49:01 -0600

After nearly a 10-year struggle homeowners in the Crystal, Fish and Mud Lake district can now pump water to the lower Wisconsin River. The permit provided by the DNR will help prevent flooding in the area, but many environmentalists feel that the discharges will cause harm to the riverway. Read the DNR's news release, here.

Minnesota's Eurasian Milfoil

Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:18:17 -0600

Lack of rain in Minnesota has water levels in lakes down, and problems from Eurasian milfoil on the rise. With higher amounts of sunlight, milfoil has grown at a more rapid rate this spring in area lakes. This has had conservation districts and the DNR very busy with harvesting and combating the invasive species. Find out, more.

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:56:27 -0600

The U.S. and Canada will begin negotiations on updating the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The agreement has not had changes to it since 1987, it was first signed in 1972. New steps will be added to help the Great Lakes fight climate change, invasive species and pollution. Learn more about the agreement, here.

Crater Lake Access

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:18:24 -0600

Crater Lake's north entrance road has been opened, it provides the easiest access to the park during the summer months. Rim drive around the lake will not be opened until sometime in July, when more snow has melted. There is still several feet of snow covering most of the park. Learn more about Crater Lake in the video, above.

Wisconsin Shoreline Protection

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 14:19:57 -0600

New changes may be coming to shoreline protection rules in Wisconsin. "Wisconsin’s shoreland protection rules were first created in 1968. They largely apply to unincorporated areas -- those outside city and village boundaries. Under the proposal, basic provisions of the shoreland protection rules would remain unchanged, including the 75 foot setback from the shoreline for new structures and minimum lot sizes of 20,000 square feet (10,000 square feet for sub-standard lots). The new rule would implement a 35 foot limit on the height of shoreland structures." Read through the protection efforts, here.