Great Lakes Coastal Processes

Myth Busting: Evaporation on the Great Lakes & other Water Level Fluctuations

This blog will expose a few myths and facts regarding decreasing water levels on the Great Lakes in the fall. Myth Busting Water Levels Decreases on the Great Lakes Water levels on the Great Lakes are a major issue impacting coastal communities right now. On the Great Lakes, the terms “water level” or “lake level”…
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Managing Stormwater & Groundwater on Coastal Bluff Properties

In this blog, Alan Lulloff (ASFPM) shares how stormwater and groundwater are connected, how they impact bluff stability, and how management has changed over time.   Managing Stormwater & Groundwater on Coastal Bluff Properties April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring increased runoff to Lake Michigan and can drop large amounts of precipitation…
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Waves and Coastal Storms and Erosion, Oh My!

This blog answers four questions that explore how water levels and coastal storms interact with each other and their potential impact on coastal hazards.   Waves and Coastal Storms and Erosion, Oh My!   Coastal storms are an annual occurrence on Lake Michigan but this fall and winter season, Lake Michigan’s southeastern Wisconsin’s coastal communities…
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It’s Evaporation Season (Normally)

This blog discusses the impact of evaporation on Lake Michigan water levels.   It’s Evaporation Season (Normally)   One question our team has been hearing a lot lately is “what will cause Lake Michigan’s water levels to go back down?” This is the perfect time of the year to discuss this question because the fall…
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Evaporation & Water Levels

This blog explains the conditions that cause evaporation to occur on the Great Lakes.   Evaporation & Water Levels   The summer heat and sun will cause some of the high water to evaporate from Lake Michigan, right? Actually, evaporation on the Great Lakes is driven by water temperature, not air temperature. Evaporation takes place…
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Stormwater/Groundwater Connections & Bluff Stability

In this blog, Alan Lulloff (ASFPM) describes how stormwater and groundwater are connected, how they impact bluff stability, and the how management has changed over time.   Stormwater/Groundwater Connections and Bluff Stability   Managing stormwater and groundwater on coastal bluff properties is an important factor in maintaining a stable bluff. Spring weather brings increased runoff…
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Frost Heave: What Happens When Water in Your Bluff Freezes?

In this blog, Luke Zoet (UW-Madison Department of Geoscience) describes the mechanics of freeze-thaw cycling, what makes a bluff susceptible to failure this way, and what we can do about it.   Frost Heave   What Happens When Water in Your Bluff Freezes? In the last two months, Southeast Wisconsinites have endured temperatures below zero…
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Ice Ice Baby (What’s it Gonna Do to My Bluff?)

This blog describes the impact of lake ice on coastal erosion.   Ice Ice Baby (What’s it Gonna Do to My Bluff?)   The accelerated development of nearshore ice on Lake Michigan during the polar vortex made our team wonder, does nearshore ice contribute to or protect Southeastern Wisconsin’s coastal bluffs from erosion? We did…
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