Great Lakes Center

1/7 For several years, the Field Station had trouble with low water making it hard to launch. Then we had our launch redone to fix that issue, but in 2018-2019 the Great Lakes reached record high water levels. Seiches raise the water levels even higher.

2/7 The floating dock works, but high water during this storm and seiche event means that you can't get to it.

3/7 If the water was much higher, there might be problems with erosion.

4/7 In winter, high water levels meant that ice was pushed up onto the dock. This happens from time to time, but is more frequent with higher water levels.

5/7 In winter, high water levels meant that ice was pushed up onto the dock. This happens from time to time, but is more frequent with higher water levels.

6/7 During a windstorm in February 2019, part of the ice boom broke, allowing tons of ice to spill from Lake Erie into the Niagara River. It crashed down over the breakwall and piled up on the Canadian shore.

7/7 When the ice began to melt, the damage to the breakwall was apparent. The railings had been broken off in several places, including a large section across from the Field Station. Despite being officially closed, people continued to utilize the breakwall.