The two hand-shaped maps of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan cup the hydrological corridor that links Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The whip-sawed waters of this passageway contain some of the mightiest currents in the Great Lakes, which intermittently thrash around a volume of water ten-times that which flows over Niagara Falls. The powerful Straits of Mackinac reach a 3.5-mile distance at their widest width and a 295-foot range at their deepest depth.
Editor’s note: We faced some technical difficulties with this recording, but the sound will level out after 1:07. Thanks in advance for your patience.
Ann Arbor and its 72 sister municipalities form the Huron River Watershed, meaning that every drop of water that falls in these locations makes its way back to the river one way or another. We share this water not only with our families, friends and neighbors, but also with our governments, businesses, and manufacturers. In sharing a common resource like water—the essence of life—it makes sense to have a rule book that outlines permissible and non-negotiable actions as well as provisions to guide the course of action in the event of foul play. Michigan water quality standards fill this niche. However, as regular hosts Aurora Aparicio, Bella Isaacs, and Heena Singh learned this week from guest expert Laura Rubin, our rule book does not always keep pace with the discoveries of contemporary science.
Join us on It’s Hot in Here this week to hear about GIS (Geographic Information System) applications in the Environmental Field — Mark Yoders from Quantum Spatial Inc. shared with us details on a variety of GIS projects involving the environment and David Betcher shared specifics on his work with the Great Lakes Communication. We also discussed different GIS technologies, including 3D LiDAR and photogrammetric point clouds, as well as thermal and infrared imagery. All these technologies have revolutionized the ease and precision of large-scale environmental assessments and monitoring, but still rely on field data for verification and expertise across fields to interpret.
Water conservation is the focus of this week’s show as we discussed conservation efforts in the White Lake area, invasive species and their effect on the local food supply, regulating levels of harmful chemicals like PCBs in the Great Lakes, the spotted gar, and more!
On this week’s show, we discussed current environmental news, climate change with Alexandra (Lexi) Brewer(MS ’15), Tu B’shevat (Birthday of Trees) with Nick Bruscatto (MS ’16), and the SNRE Food Olympics with Rebecca Baylor. We also discussed the upcoming and exciting events happening around SNRE and the University of Michigan!
Today’s show features extra freshness: two SNRE masters students and the volunteer coordinator of southeast Michigan’s oldest environmental organization talk to us about their work researching and caring for Michigan’s lakes and rivers.
Ever wonder where all this newly melting snow is heading? Whether it’s kosher to dump your paint down the drain? Or, whether there’s a toxic plumb of Dioxane 1,4 heading into the mighty Huron River? Then listen in!
We’re joined in the studio by Cynthia Koenig of Wello, a social venture committed to bringing safe, potable water to the people who need it most. Guest co-host Emily Plews helps us figure out why gratitude is so healthy and whykeeping your mind from wandering keeps you happier. Plus a call-in from Gina, mystery tunes from DJ Local, a full season of food politics, and an all-around feel-good time — take a listen, why don’t you?
More resources about water from Cynthia:
sarvajal.com — a quickly-scaling water outlet serving India
water.org — for background info on the growing world water crisis
