IN THIS EPISODE:
In this episode of Great Lakes Now, “Oil Spills and Buried Rivers,” learn about how researchers are preparing for an oil spill in the Great Lakes, and then a look at “ghost streams” — the invisible buried rivers that flow beneath our feet.
When to Watch?
Check your local station for when Great Lakes Now is on in your area.
What happens if there’s an oil spill in the Great Lakes?
SEGMENT 2 | CHEBOYGAN, MI; ST. IGNACE, MI; MUSKEGON, MI; ANN ARBOR, MI; DETROIT, MI; SAULT STE. MARIE, MI
In September, 2023, the U.S. Coast Guard was in the Straits of Mackinac along with partners from the US Navy and specialists in spill response, testing their oil spill preparedness in the event of a worst case scenario.
This exercise isn’t just about equipment. It’s about rethinking response strategies and exploring what’s at stake in a freshwater spill, where threats are unique and the stakes high.
Most spills happen in saltwater, so the skills and experience needed to respond in a freshwater environment are thin by comparison. And unlike the ocean, the Great Lakes are a source of drinking water for millions of people.
Too Many Geese and Not Enough Mussels
Managing Canada geese, saving freshwater mussels, and an Ojibwe lens on the fur trade.
Oil Spills and Buried Rivers
Preparing for a Great Lakes oil spill and a look at buried rivers beneath our feet.
Freighters on the Move
Freighter food, mail delivery, and the life of a Great Lakes freighter pilot.
Deep Dives and Rising Waters
The future of rising lake levels, Great Lakes shipwrecks, and the secret lives of fish.
Old Boats and New Adventures
Heritage sailing on Lake Huron and a historic passenger ship returns to its former glory.
Protecting the Lakes from Pollution
Updates on Lake Erie algal blooms, Flint’s water, and coal ash regulation.
Reef Rescue and Wild Edibles
Cleaning up toxins caused by copper mining, and foraging for Great Lakes wild foods.
Saving Whitefish and Navigating Niagara
Teaching Lake Whitefish to thrive and getting up close at Niagara Falls.
Warming Waters and Mutant Crayfish
Sounding the alarm on an invasive crustacean and rising temperatures in Lake Superior.
Ski Slopes and Saunas
A skier’s paradise on Lake Superior shores, Great Lakes sauna culture and more.
Big Fish and Gray Skies
Great Lakes muskellunge, optimizing solar panels for snow, and another short winter.
Buried Relics and Falling Water – Episode 2401
A Great Lakes archeological dig site and power generation along the Niagara River.
Surf and Slide – Episode 2203 Rebroadcast
Sailing on ice, Lake Ontario winter surfing and three Lake Michigan news stories.
Featured Articles
A different perspective on the fur trade
Carl Gawboy, a Minnesota artist and Ojibwe scholar, explores the rich history of the fur trade in his book “Fur Trade Nation: An Ojibwe’s Graphic History.”
Trump firings hit Great Lakes sea lamprey program, Michigan forestry workers
Fish and wildlife officials tasked with holding back a species that would otherwise decimate the Great Lakes fishery were among those caught up in a mass purge of federal workers.
Will JD Vance save the Great Lakes from Trump?
The vice president once pushed for restoration funding. Advocates hope he hasn’t forgotten.
Michigan Residents Push for an Environmental Impact Statement Before Restarting the Palisades Nuclear Plant
An assessment found that reopening the plant would have “no significant impact” on the local environment, but locals want a more thorough review.