field work – Lake Michigan Biological Station

November 12, 2021January 24, 2022

End of 2021 Boat Season

The boating season has come to an end for the Lake Michigan Biological Station. This week, we winterized our boats and stored them away until next season. We will spend the winter months processing the samples we collected the last five months. Below are some of our favorite moments from our field work this year!

September 20, 2021September 22, 2021

SCUBA Diving Surveys at the Rubble Ridges

Over the summer of 2021, the Army Core of Engineers constructed three stone ridges that will be monitored for the next five years. This summer, we have been able to SCUBA dive and gather preliminary data. Check out the current projects tab to learn more!

August 5, 2020March 24, 2021

Side-scan sonar surveys

We have recently resumed side-scan sonar surveys to observe and classify bottom substrates at offshore reefs. This involves high-frequency sonar pings across a swath of the lake bed emanating from a torpedo-shaped “towfish” that is pulled behind the RV Sculpin. The return pings are processed and analyzed to provide an image of the lake bed, helping us to identify areas of contrasting substrates like sand, boulders, and bedrock.