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U-M divers retrieve 8,900-year-old piece of wood from Lake Huron
Annarbor.com (12/12)
University of Michigan researchers announced they have found a 5 1/2 foot long, pole-shaped piece of wood that is 8,900 years old in Lake Huron.

Superior researchers studying invasives, ballast water
Ashland Current (2/9)
Determining how clean a ship's ballast water must be to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species is the goal of the latest research partnership between the Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Lake Superior Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

RIVERKEEPERS: Tending the waterways
Niagara Gazette (2/6)
The goal of the Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is two-fold: protecting the water quantity and the quality, as well as connecting people to the waterfront.

Internationally renowned ‘Ocean Doctor’ to speak in Grand Rapids
MLive.com (2/3)
Known as the “Ocean Doctor,” David Guggenheim will speak in Grand Rapids, Mich., about the many similarities between the threats to the oceans and to our Great Lakes.

SUNY Fredonia to lead Great Lakes pollution study
Wall Street Journal (2/3)
Plastic pollution in the Great Lakes will be the focus of a study this summer. Led by the State University of New York at Fredonia, researchers will try to quantify the amount of plastic polluting the fresh water Great Lakes.

SSC students taking part in marine science bowl
Arenac County Independent (1/31)
Teams of Michigan high school students will be heading to Ann Arbor this weekend to take part in the annual Great Lakes Bowl, a quiz event that focuses on questions about marine and freshwater systems and biology.

TEACH Calendar of Events
What's going on in your neighborhood this month? Meet other people and learn together at recreational and educational events! Our new dynamic calendar is updated daily with current educational events.
TEACH Questions & Answers

What connects the Great Lakes together and how are the lakes used?
from Joe in Ohio
 
Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River System Rivers, lakes and straits connect the five Great Lakes together, creating one of the largest freshwater bodies in the world!

  • St. Mary's River connects Lake Superior to Lake Huron
  • Lakes Huron and Michigan are hydrologically one lake, connected by the Straits of Mackinac
  • Lake Huron connects to Lake Erie through the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River
  • Lake Erie connects to Lake Ontario via the Niagara River (and Niagara Falls)
  • and, Lake Ontario connects to the Atlantic Ocean by way of the St. Lawrence River and Seaway

The Great Lakes are used for a variety of purposes, such as recreation, wildlife habitat, drinking water and irrigation. However, the connecting channels, along with a complex system of locks and canals, makes the Great Lakes fully navigable for freighters coming from the Atlantic Ocean. A freighter can enter the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence System from the Atlantic Ocean and travel all of the way to Thunder Bay, Ontario -- over 2,000 miles away!
 
Thank you for your question!
 

Answered on February 1, 2001

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