Local stories provide a view into what’s happening on the ground in Great Lakes Communities. These snippets are from sources ranging from news articles to organizational outreach items. They show current hazards impacts as well as proactive resilience activities underway in communities now.
How are climate and hazards impacting the people and activities of your community? Contact us to share your story!
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USGS and Bad River Tribe measure and map 2016 northern Wisconsin flood
In July 2016, a deadly storm flooded the area surrounding the Bad River Reservation in northern Wisconsin. The USGS and Bad River Tribe partnered to measure and map the flood using continuous streamflow gages, crest-stage gages and high-water marks. Using these data, they were able to map how high and how far the flood waters reached. -
Water Safety Collaborative Takes Action to Increase Beach Safety
PORT WASHINGTON, WI – Essential rescue equipment placed on beach to protect beachgoers from dangerous currents. -
Lake Superior North Shore Locals Uneasy About Dying Birch and Aspen Stands
For decades Minnesota’s North Shore has been known for its vast forests and scenic views, but changes in climate have caused this once thriving forest to decline. Leaving residents and managers wondering – what does this mean for the future of Minnesota’s coastal forests? -
Duluth Re-evaluates Infrastructure Two Years after Disastrous Flood
DULUTH, MN – Two years after the infamous solstice flood, Duluth evaluates if Green Infrastructure could help them meet their flood storage needs. -
Sodus Residents Fear Toxic Algae Will Muck Up Pristine Reputation
SODUS POINT – Low lake levels, increasingly warm springs, and nutrient loading have ripened conditions for large toxic algal blooms in Sodus Bay. Impacts on water quality are posing a threat to public health and costing the community millions in tourism revenue. -
Stormwater Infrastructure Upgrades Sustain Record Breaking Flood Event
Two Harbors, MN — Severe flooding on July 4, 1999 prompted a collaborative initiative for resilient stormwater management. The resulting city-wide system upgrades sustained a 500-year flood event with minimal damage. -
Stabilizing Concordia University’s Bluff
Since its relocation in 1982 Concordia University's administrators, staff, and students have watched the bluff which it sits atop recede by nearly 5-acres. In 2005, the University staff sought out an engineering firm to design and implement a stabilization project with the hope that it could slow or halt the bluff's rapid erosion. -
Home Relocated as Bluff Fails
In February, 2011 homeowners noticed that their bluff was starting to go and by May the bluff had dropped several feet. This bluff slump occurred along the coast of Lake Michigan in the northern part of Sheboygan County, about one mile south of the Manitowoc County Line. -
Nor’Easter Coastal Storm Flooding on Green Bay
On April 9, 1973 a Nor’easter storm event on Green Bay caused flooding 4 feet deep in downtown Green Bay, Wisconsin. Flood waters reached the elevation of the 500-year flood as strong winds blowing the length of the bay piled up a storm surge on already high lake levels. Erosion damage occurred on the open coast of the lake. Damage in the City of Green Bay alone was estimated at several million dollars. -
Lower Sheboygan River Habitat Restoration
Restoration projects along the lower Sheboygan River will help return the recreational, economic, and hydrologic benefits of healthy river habitat. The City of Sheboygan and Wisconsin DNR are restoring habitat at three project sites that will support healthy native plants and animals, improve fish habitat, and recreational opportunities. These projects will help to restore the capacity of the natural streamside environment to filter pollutants and to reduce peak flows and potential downstream flooding.