Nearshore Nuisance Benthic Algae Data (2012- )

Water quality and ecosystem health data are collected in the nearshore zone of the Great Lakes to address the problem of nuisance benthic algae. Monitoring data include physical and chemical water quality data as well as biological data, primarily from Cladophora and dreissenid mussels on the lakebed. Monitoring is conducted (i) to improve understanding of the factors impacting nearshore water quality, algae growth, and ecosystem health; (ii) to develop ecosystem health indicators for the nearshore; (iii) to provide validation and calibration data for modelling; (iv) to support the development of a binational nearshore assessment and management framework; and, (v) to measure the success of ongoing and future phosphorus reduction targets to support a healthy ecosystem.