Category: Uncategorized

Around the Clock Limnology – To Better Understand Our Lakes, Some Researchers Lose a Lot of Sleep

by Cassie Gauthier – Getting to see the sunrise over a lake as I nestle into my sweatshirt in the brisk morning air is one of my favorite things. Another is being in the middle of the lake on a boat as the stars shine brightly over my head. Before this week, I had never …

New Study: Precautionary Catch Limits on Forage Fish Unlikely to Benefit Predators

The following was released by the Science Center for Marine Fisheries — A newly released study finds that, for many predator species, extra-precautionary management of forage fish is unlikely to bring additional benefits. How to manage forage fish sustainably, both by themselves and for the rest of the ecosystem, has become a much-discussed topic in …

For Some Researchers, The Most Interesting Thing in a Lake Is What They Can’t See

I have to admit, when I first learned Adam Rexroade, a master’s student at Trout Lake Station, was studying methane emissions in a nearby stream, the project didn’t sound very interesting. If he were studying a specific plant or animal, I’d be ready to go. Streams have a lot of life in and around them …

Out of Sight, But Not Out of Mind: How Will Zooplankton Fare in Warmer Lakes?

by Cassie Gauthier —  When I walked out of my cabin, it was pouring. It was my first week on station and had been raining almost every day. I went to the station and layered on waders and my raincoat. To me, it seemed like a less than ideal day to go out sampling. But, …

Scientists Turn to Satellites to Study Lakes of Many Colors

by Hilary Dugan – Why are lakes blue? Or green? Or brown? The color of a lake reflects what’s in the water. Pure water appears blue, lakes with a lot of algae appear green, and lakes with high carbon concentrations appear brown. Water color is not synonymous with water quality, but it does provide insight …

Easily Overlooked, Wild Rice Has Big Cultural and Ecological Impact

by Cassie Gauthier — When you are at a lake, do you ever stop to consider the plants growing along the shoreline, or in the water as you drive past in your boat, or next to your feet as you swim? Have you ever considered why the plant is there, how it might be helping …

Our Science Communication Intern is Back “On Station” at Trout Lake – This Time In Person!

by Cassie Gauthier I woke up around 6:00 am for my first day of work this summer. Not because the drive was far – it’s just a little under 20 minutes and I didn’t need to be there until 9. But because I was nervous. So, I got up, made coffee, ate breakfast, made my …

Clear Water? Yes. Green Scum? Also yes. What’s Going on Out There?

by Jake Vander Zanden  — You may have noticed that, In the last week or so, the Madison lakes have been crystal clear, with visibility of up to 30 feet recorded in Lake Mendota by Center for Limnology researchers. But, in the last two days, (especially if you’ve been near a downwind shore of our …

Seeping Salt: Study Finds “Slow and Steady” Salinization of North American Lakes

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Many North American lakes are getting saltier, thanks primarily to the road salt used to keep winter roads free of ice and snow. While this salt can keep precipitation from freezing on surfaces, it also ends up flowing into nearby waterways – especially as warmer temperatures melt piles of plowed snow …

Trout Lake Station is Now Hiring Undergrads for “The Best Summer Job I Ever Had”

Attention Undergrads! The Center for Limnology is currently hiring for our summer fieldwork season. Spend your summer up in Wisconsin’s beautiful Northwoods where you’ll spend your days with other freshwater-focused undergrads as you get hands-on experience working on research projects ranging from fish ecology to bog microbes to wild rice! Or, if you’re more into …