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NMU, partners plan wave monitoring system for Lake Superior

MARQUETTE, MI--   A collaborative effort led by Northern Michigan University to monitor coastal hazards along Lake Superior has received a $100,000 grant.  

The Great Lakes Observing System gave the money to NMU and partners the Superior Watershed Partnership and environmental consulting company LimnoTech for two observation buoys.  One will be placed near Munising.  Another, more portable buoy will monitor wave activity along several stretches of lakeshore, including Granite Island Light Station, Grand Marais, and Whitefish Point.

Officials say the buoys will provide water temperature, wave activity, and weather conditions by the minute to websites and a mobile app.  They hope the system will help rescue agencies, fisheries, and recreational businesses in their efforts, and provide greater advance warning of swimming and boating hazards. 

Deployment is set for spring.

Two community forums will be held to discuss the project:  Sunday at 7 p.m. at the Ore Dock Brewing Company in Marquette and Wednesday, December 3 at 7 p.m. at the Falling Rock Café in Munising.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.