UWM School of Freshwater Sciences buoys are featured in Great Lakes Observing Systems’ first “Buoys of Summer” feature in their monthly newsletter. Research specialist Jessie Grow was interviewed and shared more about the operations.
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences is home to certified freshwater superstars. And their buoy program? May simply be the best in the land (and lakes). Led by buoy wrangler extraordinaire Jessie Grow, this fleet of smart, solar-powered stalwarts peppers the nearshore region across Lake Michigan, quietly collecting some of the most important environmental data for a wide array of users. From tracking water temperature and weather to monitoring waves, water quality and more, these buoys support everything from public safety and beach forecasts to the shipping industry and climate research. Used by boaters, anglers, swimmers, surfers, scientists, and policy-makers alike, these platforms are the real heroes – keeping a finger on the pulse of Lake Michigan and contributing to a smarter, more robust understanding of the Great Lakes overall.