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Thanks to Gary Meuleman for a great photo of Marquette, MI!

“It’s invaluable to the angling community….it saves everybody time and effort. It’s incredible what you can know ahead of time before you head out on the water. I’d like to see it expanded."Scott Heintzelman | Manistee, MI | Fisheries Manager at Michigan Department of Natural Resources

“The information given by these buoys is critical in our go/no-go decision [making] process.”Anonymous User

“I use [lake] information even a day ahead of time…As captains, our number one job is to make sure our guests are safe.”Mike | Sheboygan, WI | Charter Boat Captain

“The Great Lakes are the US and Canada’s greatest asset. What makes the Great Lakes strong is the ability to work and share together for the greater good. GLOS makes this possible.”Guy Meadows | Houghton, MI | Researcher at Michigan Technological University

“Buoys provide more predictability and understanding of exact lake conditions for safer, more successful boating and fishing trips.”Matt | Holland, MI | Boater

Value of GLOS

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The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is a charitable, tax-exempt organization. As a nonprofit, GLOS relies on funding from grants and donations to execute our mission, led by our core values.

Your donation supports getting valuable insights on lake conditions and weather of the lakes in the hands of everyday people and Great Lakes researchers.

1/5 of the world's freshwater

The Great Lakes contain a fifth of the world’s surface freshwater.

People in the Great Lakes Region

We’re working toward a future for Great Lakes information that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive of all of the tens of millions that call the Great Lakes home.

Widespread great lakes observations

GLOS’ and partners’ observation assets spread across all five Great Lakes.

Monitoring and protecting the Great Lakes
Help us tackle the greatest threats facing the region and the millions of people that rely on them.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Since 2015, with support from Ohio EPA and the US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), GLOS, with a wide range of partners, has worked to procure, deploy, and/or integrate data from water quality instrumentation to provide real-time HABs-related data to stakeholders.

Climate Change Indicators

GLOS is at the forefront of observing and collecting the necessary information to monitor and plan for the effects of climate change. This includes water level and ice cover data. Collecting and making historical data easily accessible is key to making accurate predictions and adapting to our changing environments.

Beach Safety

People access the waters of the Great Lakes in many ways, but it is at the physical shoreline, on the beaches, where the majority of us come into direct contact with the lakes. Although beautiful, the lakes can be dangerous. GLOS is attempting to enhance and expand the way people can access weather and water information, to better inform recreational beachgoers, to give everyone the tools they need to be safe and maybe save lives.

 

GLOS supports llifeguard programs, safety signage, and emergency response systems at Great Lakes beaches, and all initiatives that ensure clean and beaches.

MTU student Hayden Henderson and CODAR engineer Mike Garcia test the HF Radar in 2020.
Aerial of Great Lakes coastline
Little Traverse Bay Buoy_PC Russ Miller
Tim with sonde on Lake Erie
Deploying small (spotter) buoy into the water.
an aerial photo shows bright green algae covering the water
Suggestion Seagull

Other ways to support GLOS

Please contact with any ideas you have to help us promote safety, security, and sustainability in the Great Lakes.

  • Sponsor Seagull
  • Adopt an observing platform 
  • Health and Safety Gear
  • Providing Data & Services to GLOS
  • Host a Seagull Nest for your community/organization
  • Other gifts (ie. vessel time, equipment, etc.)
Great Lakes Donation

GLOS