Collaborative Benthic Habitat Mapping in the Nearshore Waters of the Great Lakes Basin

With only 15 percent of the Great Lakes currently surveyed to modern standards, this benthic habitat mapping project aims to contribute to the Lakebed 2030 effort. The project will fill critical gaps in bathymetry data through the collection of new airborne topobathy and bathymetric lidar and multibeam sonar data. Utilizing the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard to classify substrate, geoform, and biotic components, project partners will develop high-density benthic habitat maps for the Great Lakes nearshore waters (0–80 meters). This work will aid habitat restoration and other critical management applications in support of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Partners in this collaborative multiyear, multiagency effort include NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management along with the Office for Coast Survey, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Center for Coastal and Ocean Science, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, and other federal and state agencies.

All products, with the exception of multibeam sonar–derived products, are publicly available through the Data Access Viewer on NOAA’s Digital Coast. Benthic habitat data and derived mapping products will also be available through NOAA’s Benthic Data Hub site, which is currently in development and anticipated for public release in 2025.   

ROV
Remotely operated underwater vehicles and drop cameras are used to conduct validation data collection in support of the benthic habitat mapping efforts. (Image credit: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and Michigan Technological University)

Accomplishments:

  • FY2024 and FY2023: In Progress
  • FY2022: Approximately 2,359 km2 survey miles were mapped (Washington Island, Wisconsin; Eastern Lake Superior, Michigan; Northern Lake Michigan, Michigan; Northern Lake Huron, Michigan; Western Lake Superior, Minnesota/Wisconsin; Chaumont Bay, New York).
  • FY2021: Roughly 687 km2 survey miles were mapped (Madeline Island, Wisconsin and Washington Island, Wisconsin).
  • FY2020: Roughly 335 km2 survey miles were mapped (Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan).
  • FY2019: Approximately 85 km2 survey miles were mapped (Western Bayfield Peninsula, Wisconsin).
Underwater video and bathymetry
Underwater video, combined with a digital elevation model of the bathymetry, helps in understanding the spatial relationship between substrate types and their value as habitat to Great Lakes fish species. (Image credit: NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science)

Funding:
FY2024: $4,000,000

FY2023: $4,600,000

FY2022: $6,000,000

FY2021: $300,000

FY2020: $400,000

FY2019: $500,000

Contact: Brandon.Krumwiede@noaa.gov

Partners:

  • NOAA: Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), Office for Coastal Management (OCM), Office of Coast Survey (OCS), Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS)
  • National Park Service
  • U.S. Geological Survey
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  • Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Michigan Technological University