Great Lakes Learning: Water levels, currents and boating speed limits

As the author of Great Lakes Now’s Collection of Lesson Plans, educational consultant Gary Abud Jr. is now providing more support for parents, teachers and caregivers who want to incorporate Great Lakes learning into their time with children and students. His series of writings can be found HERE along with the lesson plans and a Virtual Field Trip.

As summer quickly approaches, the possibilities of beaches and boats are in sight.

And preparation for such a trip is a good time to review safety tips with your youngsters whether you’re headed to a city beach along a Great Lake or an inland waterway.

You can use the time to include some science lessons as well.

Here are some resources:

1. Understand the different kinds of dangerous currents found in the lakes using the Michigan Sea Grant webpage, lessons and activities HERE.

2. Look at the historic Great Lakes water levels from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and know how high water levels in the lakes affect boating using this lake level simulator from NOAA to show the effects of increased water and reading about the impact high levels have on boat speed limits.

Watch Great Lakes Now’s segment about “Vanishing Shorelines”:

3. Learn how to avoid drowning in the lakes

During a typical boating season on the Great Lakes, people take to the waters in the spring and then boat throughout the summer and into the fall months. There is much to explore and experience out on the water of the lakes, but this year those opportunities might be more limited.

But regardless of whether the COVID-19 pandemic impacts your time spent at the lakeshore, it’s always a good idea to review the science of safety in the waters.

Catch up on other helpful Great Lakes Learning lessons and tips:

Great Lakes Learning: Which is the best of the 5 Great Lakes?

Great Lakes Learning: Freshwater science for the youngest learners – Part 1

Great Lakes Learning: Freshwater science for the youngest learners – Part 2

Great Lakes Learning: What grows in the Great Lakes?

Featured image: Boating on the St. Clair River’s south end. (Photo by Sandra Svoboda)