Lake observing science continues in a pandemic

Dear Everyone:

Despite the delay caused by COVID-19-related work restrictions and safety protocols, we were finally able to deploy the Muskegon Lake Observatory buoy (MLO) to gather time-series weather and water quality data in this Great Lakes estuary.  Here, we are making use of an improvised pontoon boat with a winch and a moon pool for docking to the buoy and servicing the infrastructure.  Water Resources technician, Tony Weinke (left), is securing the panel that covers sensitive data loggers on the big yellow buoy that serves as the main work platform, power source, met station  and communication center; and Aquatic Science graduate student, Nate Dugener (right), is working to link the soon to be submerged daughter buoy carrying an array of water-quality sensors (in blue) with the main buoy.  Now in its 10th year of operation, MLO continues to provide valuable long-term time-series open-access data on estuarine ecology in the Great Lakes www.gvsu.edu/buoy/

Bopi Biddanda

Annis Water Resources Institute, Grand Valley State University, Muskegon, Michigan, USA.

www.gvsu.edu/wri/