Lake Superior Reserve overhead viewAbout the Reserve
Lake Superior EstuariumOur Focus Areas
Staff doing research in St. Louis RiverMeet Our Staff

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

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, education, outreach and stewardship.

A new program for community leaders

Lake Superior Climate Champions Program

Move your community forward

The Lake Superior Climate Champions Program provides a yearlong opportunity for community teams to work on a goal of their choosing that addresses climate change, with a minimum of $2,500 in funding, guidance from Sea Grant and Reserve staff members and the chance to connect with other communities working on climate challenges.

Learn more about Lake Superior Climate Champions Program

Coastal Training Program Webinar

People, Places and PFAS:

How a long-lasting chemical impacts Wisconsin communities

Learn about PFAS –a family of human-made chemicals, widely used for their ability to repel both water and oil, that take a long time to break down in the environment. A panel of Wisconsin agency professionals share what scientists know about the effects of PFAS on human health, ecological health, and where the future of PFAS research is going.

Watch Recorded Webinar

In the News

The Life Aquatic: Using Technology to Monitor Water Quality in the St. Louis River Estuary

Jenna Mertz, Division of Extension Natural Resources Institute | November 19, 2021

As the monitoring coordinator for the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (LSNERR), Hannah Ramage spends a lot of time collecting data on the water and habitat quality in the St. Louis River estuary. In the warm months, it’s waders and canoes; in the cold months, it’s data analysis and quality assurance. And because she oversees the calibration and deployment of equipment in the field, there’s also a bit of MacGyvering.

Read the Full Story

Lake Superior Estuarium

Enjoy, explore, experience!

The Estuarium is open 1st and 3rd weekends of each month, Fridays from 1:30-5:00p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30a.m.-1:00pm. Enjoy, explore and experience the Estuarium.

FREE ADMISSION!

Visit the Estuarium
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Upcoming Events

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News

Art project focuses on water, Effort to protect Green Bay estuary

Aug 1st, 2022, Wisconsin Public Radio

Lake Superior Days Comes Back to Barker’s Island

Jul 18th, 2022, Fox 21 Local News

Northwestern Wisconsin communities can get support for climate change projects

Jun 16th, 2022, wxpr.org

Live Data

64.8° F

18.2° C

Pokegama Bay

09/29/2022 15:00 (LST)

Wind Speed
3.1mps - 6.9mph
Max Wind Speed
6.4mps - 14.3mph
Wind Dir From
243° To ENE
Rel Humidity
39%
Bar Pressure
1025mb
Total PAR
995.0
Cum Precip
0.0mm

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

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Careers

We do not currently have any openings. Check back or follow us on Facebook to learn about open positions when they're posted.

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Upcoming Events

[tribe_events_list limit="4" venue="yes"]

Live Data

64.8° F

18.2° C

Pokegama Bay

09/29/2022 15:00 (LST)

Wind Speed
3.1mps - 6.9mph
Max Wind Speed
6.4mps - 14.3mph
Wind Dir From
243° To ENE
Rel Humidity
39%
Bar Pressure
1025mb
Total PAR
995.0
Cum Precip
0.0mm

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

Rivers2Lake Education Program

Accepting Applications for 2022-23 Teacher Cohort

We welcome applications from teachers in all subject areas and preschool-12th grade levels since watersheds and outdoor learning connect to everything! Visit the Rivers2Lake website for more details on the objectives and program benefits. Applications due April 25th.

Apply for Rivers2Lake Teacher Cohort
Four women looking at water samples with sand and trees in background

Explore the Estuary

St. Louis River Estuary

The St. Louis River Estuary is a rich, unique and diverse place to explore. From sandy beaches to protected bays valued for bass, walleye and muskie fishing, to the wild Red River Breaks, the St. Louis River provides a wilderness experience within 10 minutes of the Twin Ports.

Get out and explore
St. Louis River Estuary
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Careers

We do not currently have any openings. Check back or follow us on Facebook to learn about open positions when they're posted.

Live Data

64.8° F

18.2° C

Pokegama Bay

09/29/2022 15:00 (LST)

Wind Speed
3.1mps - 6.9mph
Max Wind Speed
6.4mps - 14.3mph
Wind Dir From
243° To ENE
Rel Humidity
39%
Bar Pressure
1025mb
Total PAR
995.0
Cum Precip
0.0mm

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

View All

Upcoming Events

[tribe_events_list limit="1" venue="yes"]

Live Data

64.8° F

18.2° C

Pokegama Bay

09/29/2022 15:00 (LST)

Wind Speed
3.1mps - 6.9mph
Max Wind Speed
6.4mps - 14.3mph
Wind Dir From
243° To ENE
Rel Humidity
39%
Bar Pressure
1025mb
Total PAR
995.0
Cum Precip
0.0mm

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

Lake Superior High Water Spotter

Help document shoreline impacts from water levels

This year the water levels across the Great Lakes are predicted to once again be very high. We’re gathering photos from around Lake Superior that capture what these conditions look like to establish a visual record.

Share your photos
Lake Superior Day, Lake Superior Community Celebration

Due to the COVID-19 virus outbreak and guidelines from Wisconsin Department of Health Services, UW–Madison, and federal agencies the Estuarium is closed and our facilities will have limited availability and access. Our staff are working remotely and many of our events have been postponed. For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Less Screens, More Streams

St. Louis River Field School

Virtual and homeschool learners in grades 6-8 are invited to take learning outside with science and education staff from the Reserve. Taking place at different locations along the St. Louis River, including Wisconsin Point and the Superior Municipal Forest, each of these monthly, hands-on experiences will provide a place for students to unplug outdoors and gain an appreciation of the St. Louis River.

Register Now!
young students smile while paddling a canoe

2020-2025 Reserve Management Plan

Request for Comments

A draft of the Lake Superior Reserve 2020-2025 Management Plan is posted in the Federal Register and open for public comment. Please review the plan and submit comments to the public record on or before December 2, 2020.

Learn More