University of Michigan Studying How Communities Can Best Cope with Great Lakes Fluctuations
University of Michigan teams will explore policy options for areas affected by changing water levels.
The University of Michigan is researching how communities can best adapt to high fluctuations in the water levels of the Great Lakes. The University is awarding grants of $10,000 each to seven teams of researchers around the region. Program spokesperson John Callewaert says only a few years ago the lakes had reached historically low levels, and now have almost hit historic highs.
“These are dynamic, ecological systems, so we’re looking at the issue of variability. What is happening? How do communities live with that variability? How do they address concerns around recreation, local economies, erosion?
Callewaert says he hopes to deliver policy options and decision-making tools to those in the communities that are studied. He says the University will award an additional $50,000 to teams with significant findings to allow them to extend their research for another year and a half.
