Research, education, outreach and stewardship along Lake Superior’s coast

Located on the St. Louis River Estuary in Superior, Wisconsin

Improving the understanding of Lake Superior’s coast and estuaries

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve works in partnership to improve the understanding of Lake Superior’s coast and estuaries. We address issues affecting the watershed through integration of research, system-wide monitoring, education, coastal training and stewardship.

Research

Monitoring

Education

Coastal Training

Stewardship

A Gathering Place for Learning and Play

Enjoy, explore and experience!

FREE ADMISSION! Come enjoy special activities the first Saturday of every month.

In September, the Estuarium is open Fridays and Saturdays from 10:00a.m.—2:00p.m.
Starting in October, the Estuarium is open every Friday and the first Saturday of the month from 10:00a.m.—2:00p.m.

Visit Lake Superior Estuarium

The front of a red building with tan trim

Happening at the Lake Superior Reserve

Now accepting applications

In one year, what strides can your community make toward resilience? The Enduring Lake Superior Communities program is accepting team applications for its new cohort year. Details and application information here.

Come to Lake Superior Day

Join us on Barker’s Island in Superior to relax, play, and learn.
Details on the event page.

Current Conditions on the St. Louis River Estuary

A water quality station monitoring a body of water

Barker's Island

Sep 09, 2025 8:15 PM

This may not be current data

Water Quality

Water Temperature
60.8° F
16.5° C

Specific Conductivity
0.19 mS/cm

Dissolved Oxygen
90.1%

Dissolved Oxygen
8.8 mg/L

Salinity
0.1 PSU

Depth
3.28 ft
1.51 m

pH
7.6 standard units

Turbidity
13 FNU/NTU

Chorophyl Fluoresence
Missing Data

All Data is property of NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) / National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS)

Barker's Island

Nov 07, 2024 6:00 AM

This may not be current data

Nutrients

Orthophospate
0.015 mg/L as P

Ammonium
0.102 mg/L as N

Nitrite
Missing Data

Nitrate
Missing Data

Nitrite + Nitrate
0.434 mg/L as N

Chlorophyll
8.69 ug/L

All Data is property of NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) / National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS)

Pokegama Bay

Sep 13, 2025 12:00 PM

Weather

Air Temp
59.7° F

15.4° C

Wind Speed
2.1 mps (4.5 mph)

Max Wind Speed
4.6 mps (8.9 mph)

Wind Dir
153°

Rel Humidity
100% saturated

Bar Pressure
1018 millibars

Cum Precip
0.0mm

Total PAR
474.0mmol/m2/15mins

All Data is property of NOAA Office for Coastal Management (OCM) / National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS)

How to Pronounce

Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve