Great Lakes

Scientists in Michigan and elsewhere are looking to mussels to provide less expensive and more efficient systems to scrub contaminants, but native mussels must win the battle against invasive species.

Salmon have to move into rivers from the Great Lakes for autumn, a stunning show that gives anglers one last shot at their prize.

One indicator of seasonal changes besides cooler temperatures is the leaves changing colors from hues of green to an array of orange, yellow, red and brown. Some of the best places to catch scenic views of trees are in Michigan.

Slow testing methods have hampered efforts to stay ahead of bacterial pollution in the Great Lakes. Beaches in Oakland County and Detroit's Belle Isle are among those working on quicker, more accurate tests.

On Aug. 13, author Sue Leaf discussed her memoir about Lake Superior’s southern shore with Bridge readers.

In this photo essay, take a tour of the SS Badger ferry, which has carried people and freight across Lake Michigan for seven decades.

For seven decades, the SS Badger has ferried people and goods across Lake Michigan while polluting the air with black smoke. The ship’s new owners are considering greener options.

Our EV road trip around Lake Michigan is winding down with a ferry ride back to Michigan from Wisconsin — but it’s not over yet.

Traveling by EV means to expect the unexpected. During a charging delay, the Bridge road trippers find a century-old diner that’s still slinging burgers from a World War II-era grill.

Bridge Culture Club resumes Aug. 13 with author Sue Leaf to discuss her book about Lake Superior.

Before heading to Michigan beaches this summer, check for blue-green algae that poses a risk to human and animal health.

A Detroit-built sailing ship that sank in Lake Michigan during an 1864 storm has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The water near Monroe has already begun to turn green with cyanobacteria, a product of farm runoff and other pollution that overloads Lake Erie with nutrients.

The National Weather Service confirmed a minor ‘meteotsunami’ hit beaches near Ludington and Holland after severe weather swept the region early Tuesday morning.

Line 5 is more than necessary; it is an essential piece of our state’s infrastructure. It ensures our energy security and economic stability.

Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Milwaukee, Windsor and Toronto, though close to the Great Lakes, are all urban 'heat islands.' Experts say these cities have unique opportunities to create more green spaces to cool things down.

The Great Lakes are warming up and this week’s heat wave may help that effort. Still, Michigan residents should be cautious of the water conditions before heading out to one of the lakes.

Cities like Detroit, with lots of buildings and infrastructure that absorb and re-emit heat, are considered urban heat islands, but the tracking of related health events is lacking.

Solar panels on plastic rafts are linked and anchored to the bottom of a lake. Michigan hasn’t issued any permits yet, but Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township and Plainfield Charter Township have looked into the idea.

Health officials said eight Michigan beaches are safe for swimming again after water samples showed decreased E. coli levels. One beach reopened briefly then closed again and five others joined the closure list Friday.