Blooms and the Big Lake Workshop

Previously undetected in Lake Superior, algal blooms were spotted on three separate occasions between 2012 and 2018, prompting concerns among water resource managers about the “new normal” for the lake. Through a new partnership with Wisconsin Division of Public Health and in response to growing attention and concern about Lake Superior algal blooms, the Reserve’s Coastal Training Program co-developed and facilitated an algal blooms workshop for public health officials, recreation, natural resource and public access managers, and water scientists to share the state of the science on blooms and provide a space to explore research, communication and decision-support needs. This one-day workshop event was held in Ashland at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center and brought 40 western Lake Superior professionals working along the south shore together to engage in bloom science, communication, and preparedness.

In a post-event evaluation, respondents affirmed appreciation of the interdisciplinary nature and pace of the workshop through their comments. Said one: “I learned so much during this workshop! The agenda was great with informative presentations and helpful discussion.” Another indicated that presentations were “Interesting, fast-paced to keep attention, presenters were all very knowledgeable.”

You can read more about the Blooms and the Big Lake workshop in this Great Lakes Restoration Initiative post.