Research buoys deployed to GT Bays in NMC-MTU collaboration

TRAVERSE CITY — For the first time ever, Great Lakes researchers have a monitoring buoy on East Grand Traverse Bay, one of three placed this fall in an NMC-Michigan Technological University collaboration.

Purchased with a $48,804 grant NMC received from the Great Lakes Observing System, the buoys are placed near East Bay Park in East Bay, near Greilickville in West Bay, and near North Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.

“We have never had any measurements in East Grand Traverse Bay previously, and having three strategically placed allows comparative understanding of the three separate but connected water bodies.” said Hans Van Sumeren, director of NMC’s Great Lakes Water Studies Institute.

Data available online include wind speed and direction, wave height and direction, and water temperature. Buoys will be removed in November and outfitted with webcams over the winter, which will offer users video feed of the lake surface updated every 30 minutes.

“These buoys and data will support a broader understanding of Great Lakes processes and will provide users with near real-time information,” Van Sumeren said.

NMC’ offers students the opportunity to gain skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources by earning a bachelor’s degree in Marine Technology. Graduates of the bachelor’s program have 100-percent employment in the marine industry. Associate degrees in Engineering Technology-Marine and Freshwater Studies are also available.

Release date: October 28, 2021

For more information:

Hans Van Sumeren
Director, Great Lakes Water Studies Institute
(231) 995-1793
hvansumeren@nmc.edu