Lake Michigan

A Bubbler Talk question-asker wondered what kinds of fish are seen leaping in the Milwaukee River. We set out to learn the answer.

Phosphorus is a common fertilizer for farm fields, but the nutrient impacts freshwater systems around the state. Scientist Harvey Bootsma, whose focus is Lake Michigan, will participate in a conference being held Tuesday in Madison—a wide range of researchers and stakeholders will discuss ways to reduce phosphorus levels in watersheds.

The City of Waukesha could start breaking ground on a short, but critical stretch of water pipeline in just a matter of weeks, thanks to a Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors decision Thursday afternoon.

Waukesha is under court order to begin diverting Lake Michigan water as the city's drinking water source by next September. Waukesha says in order to make that happen, it needs to lay a small bit of the pipeline on Milwaukee County parkland.

Lake Michigan is in fair condition—not poor, but not good either. That assessment was shared by a more than century-old, binational commission during a webinar Tuesday evening.

The lifeguard shortage across Milwaukee County pools and beaches is noticeable. While beach ambassadors are not lifeguards, but they do provide water safety information to beachgoers, like what the flying flags signify or if the water is safe to enter.

Washington Island in Door County was once a hub for commercial fishing. But over the past century the industry has slowly dwindled from dozens of fishermen to just one: Ken Koyen, Washington Island’s last remaining commercial fisherman.

While walking along Lake Michigan or one of Wisconsin’s many rivers, you might have walked through a swarm of tiny flying bugs. They get everywhere. Entomologist PJ Liesch shares more about midge flies.

Federal officials have designated a huge swath of Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan coastline as a National Marine Sanctuary to protect historic shipwrecks in the area.

UW-Milwaukee scientist Todd Miller is leading an effort to advance toxic algae research while protecting aquatic and public health.