We deliver sound scientific research and solutions supporting water levels, water quality, wetlands, the fishery, and aquatic invasive species control.
Now the most valuable commodity in the world and we have 20% of the world’s freshwater in the Great Lakes. But it is a glacial deposit and only 1% is renewable. And in periods of declining water levels there have been significant concerns over water quality – increased nutrient concentrations leading to toxic blue green algal blooms. [READ MORE]
The most important element in aquatic ecosystems. Georgian Bay has the highest quality, most diverse, most extensive wetlands found anywhere in the Great Lakes. But our wetlands are the most sensitive to sustained low water levels since they are on glacial till sediments scattered among the 30,000 granite islands on Georgian Bay. [READ MORE]
Grass Carp, with their voracious appetites … pose a serious threat to waterfowl habitat and wetlands. It is currently estimated that, unless Grass Carp are eradicated immediately, they will quickly colonize the middle and lower Great Lakes and destroy the wetlands. [READ MORE]
2023 Fall Science Reporting Meeting
Explore the intricate challenges of managing water levels in the Great Lakes, with a focus on Georgian Bay. This video features insightful presentations from Bill Bialkowski, a retired hydraulic control engineer, and Professor Pat Chow-Fraser of McMaster University. They delve into historical dredging impacts, ecological responses of wetlands, and the complexities of lake balancing. The Q&A session sheds light on funding opportunities, research needs, and the unique issues facing Georgian Bay. Discover the interplay of environmental, economic, and political factors in Great Lakes water management and the ongoing quest for sustainable solutions.
2023 Science Reporting Seminar
Water Level Predictions, Wetlands, Blanding’s Turtles, and Nearshore Water Quality
We hosted five experts who shared their in-depth research on vital aspects of the Great Lakes, ranging from the conservation of the Blanding’s Turtle and improving water quality monitoring, to understanding water level fluctuations and the impact of climate change. Their insights provide a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of our ecosystems and highlight the crucial role of ongoing research and community involvement. We invite you to delve deeper into these pressing topics, enhance your knowledge, and join the discussion. Click the link below to explore more and watch these thought-provoking presentations.
Here’s a short video looking at Lake Superior Regulation Plans
and how effective they’ve been
in balancing lake levels.
2022
Science
Reporting
Webinars
GBGLF hosted a webinar in May 2022 to share new research on water levels from our hydraulic control engineers Bill Bialkowski and Rob Nairn, and information from ECCC on climate change water level predictions that everyone on the Bay should understand including our younger generations. Plus, we shared all the latest water quality, wetlands and turtle research findings from Prof Pat Chow-Fraser’s research lab.
Click the video links below to watch videos of the presentations.
Great Lakes Monthly Water Level Forecasts
From US Army Corps of Engineers
In the News
July 2023 Update
Heads Up!! July 2023 – GBGLF’s evidence shows the St. Clair River is eroding again – contributing to the sudden decline of our water levels!Once again our hydraulic control engineer Bill Bialkowski has determined that the St. Clair Riverbed is eroding – increasing the...
Groups petition Great Lakes governors to address Ontario’s alleged breach of binational water agreement with Bill 23
Article from the Maintoulin Expositor, Dec 14/22 By Lori Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter - December 14, 2022 GEORGIAN BAY—A group of four organizations representing Georgian Bay and the Great Lakes basin have written the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence...
November 2022 Update
GBGLF November 2022 NewsletterAs 2022 winds down it is time for us to report on our work this year. But first we need to bring to your attention the little known facts about Premier Ford’s Bill 23. While public pressure forced the re-instatement of the democratic...
Wonderful article dealing with food web dynamics during a rapidly changing climate on Lake Michigan ....
Shrinking ice cover, warmer water: How will Lake Michigan and its food web respond?
www.wuwm.com
Lake Michigan is teeming with life. But over time, its food web — from the smallest plankton to the largest fish — has been impacted. Overfishing and waves of invasive species have taken their tol...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Interesting storyline to say the least ....
Are Great Lakes cities ready for climate migrants?
greatlakesecho.org
A California woman on “The Daily Show” recently swapped her sandals for snowshoes after moving to Duluth to escape her state’s wildfires. The Comedy Central show featured Duluth as a climate hav...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
The projections for summer water levels is complicated by the historically low ice cover over the lakes this winter ...
What will the 'abnormal winter' mean for water levels on the Great Lakes this spring and summer?
www.audacy.com
It’s safe to say Michigan had a much milder winter than we’re used to. With the warmer-than-average temperatures and lack of snow, what will that mean for the water levels across the Great Lakes t...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Interesting article on the impacts of warmer winters on commercial shipping ....
Great Lakes ice cover is shrinking. What does that mean for shipping?
www.wuwm.com
One sign of warming winters: the Great Lakes have lost a quarter of their ice cover in the last 50 years. It raises the possibility of an extended shipping season on the lakes.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Gulley formation causing significant problems on northern shore of Lake Erie ...
'The grand canyon': Huge crater on Erie's shore underlines erosion threat
www.norfolkandtillsonburgnews.com
Rates of erosion along Lake Erie's shoreline from Port Glasgow to Long Point are among the highest on the Great Lakes, a geoscientist says0 CommentsComment on Facebook
CBC picks up the story of historic low ice cover on the Great Lakes ...
Lake Superior ice coverage at record low levels | CBC News
www.cbc.ca
An icebreaker may be an unlikely sight in the Port of Thunder Bay this year, as ice coverage across the Great Lakes remains low.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
About Our Foundation
Where are we?
In the fall of 2016, we joined the Huronia Community Foundation(HCF), a well-funded, highly respected charity based in Midland, Ontario on the south shore of Georgian Bay.
What do we stand for?
Our dedicated team of eight experienced, knowledgeable passionate volunteers will continue to work, as it has for many years under other charities, to protect and enhance the environment of Georgian Bay as part of the Great Lakes’ ecology.
Our Successes
It was our team’s investigation of the St. Clair River that inspired the 2004 Baird Report. It led to the inclusion of the St. Clair River in the International Upper Great Lakes Study.
Current Priorities
We will continue and endeavour to expand our visits to Ottawa and Washington, D.C., in order to ensure that key elected officials and government agencies receive accurate, up-to-date information on Great Lakes issues, particularly those impacting Lakes Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay.
We Have the Power to Impact Our Future, and We’re Doing Something About It
Although almost all of our work is undertaken by volunteers, the Georgian Bay Great Lakes Foundation has major expenses for our scientific research and education program around all the Great Lakes and minor expenses for admnistration and for travel to meetings with key officials and shoreline property owners’ groups.
When you give, almost 100% goes to support our cause!
Our administration expenses are very low – a very modest amount to the Huronia Community Foundation, and a similarly modest amount for the work of our professional communications expert and our website.
We are deeply grateful for your past generosity and support for our work and urge you to help us bring these endeavours to a successful conclusion.
Donate
We held a Science Sumposium in November 2019 at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
Here are the videos:
Our Top Priorities
Water Levels
We have engaged W.F. Baird & Associates to begin a study to model water levels on Lakes Michigan-Huron in the light of historical water level cycles and the change in conveyance capacity of the St. Clair River.
Education on Carp Threat
We will continue to participate in national and international meetings on the threat of entry into the Great Lakes of destructive invasive species of Carp.
Wetlands
Support wetlands researchers from Environment Canada, and support research of Prof. Pat Chow-Fraser of McMaster University on wetlands, fish productivity, water quality, and the survival of threatened species such as Blandings Turtles.
Education of Elected Officials & Government Agencies
We will continue and endeavour to expand our visits to Ottawa and Washington, D.C., in order to ensure that key elected officials and government agencies receive accurate, up-to-date information on Great Lakes issues, particularly those impacting Lakes Michigan-Huron and Georgian Bay.
Make a Donation
HG
