Development of a Lake-wide Operational Observing System: Lake Erie Case Study

Session: 59. - Innovative Monitoring across the Great Lakes

Ed Verhamme, LimnoTech, [email protected]
John Bratton, Limnotech, [email protected]
Max Herzog, Cleveland Water Alliance, [email protected]
Bryan Stubbs, Cleveland Water Alliance, [email protected]
Kelli Paige, Great Lakes Observing System, [email protected]
Rebecca Pearson, Great Lakes Observing System, [email protected]

Abstract

Since the 2014 Toledo water crisis, Lake Erie has seen a surge in the number and variety of organizations collecting samples and installing real-time in-situ sensors to monitor trends and track the presence and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs).  Universities, federal and state agencies, and water treatment plants are collecting water samples every day of the summer growing season and real-time multi-parameter sondes are recording water quality trends at over 20 stations.  In addition, NOAA CO-OPS, NOAA-GLERL, and NASA provide up to daily imagery from multiple satellites and model forecasts to update positional information about bloom severity.  A recent grant from the NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)’s Ocean Technology Transfer (OTT) program will enable researchers and managers to plan for the sustainable operation of monitoring assets to support HABs and other relevant issues.  The project is being led by the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) with support from LimnoTech, the Cleveland Water Alliance, and NOAA-GLERL.  The presentation will highlight the present value of the observing system, discuss engagement strategy with other stakeholders, and talk about how researchers and managers are working towards the development of a sustainability plan to ensure the right observations are collected by the right

1. Keyword
harmful algal blooms

2. Keyword
observing systems

3. Keyword
Lake Erie