UWM School of Freshwater Sciences

Our Water Word of the Month is turbidity—a measurement of how cloudy or unclear water is due to particles suspended in it. 💧

Sediment, algae, organic matter and other tiny particles can all increase turbidity. High levels can limit light in aquatic ecosystems, affect habitat conditions and create challenges for water treatment.

But remember: clear water isn’t automatically clean water. Scientists consider turbidity alongside chemical, physical and biological measurements to develop a more complete picture of water quality.

Mercury pollution can linger in our waters for decades and understanding where it goes is critical.

Dr. Peterson's lab is helping track mercury in Georgian Bay to better understand how it moves through freshwater ecosystems and impacts aquatic life.

Learn more about the research below. ⬇️

Scientists are tracking this deadly threat lingering beneath Georgian Bay waters Simcoe County is famous for its many lakes and rivers, but the pristine water hides a deadly element. Now, a team of researchers is trying to do something about it.

Curious what YOU can do to protect water quality at home? Look no further than these 9 tips.

Where in the world is R/V Neeskay? 🔍

Today, the Neeskay sails back to Milwaukee after its expedition to Georgian Bay! 🌊 Dr. Ben Peterson and his lab are diving into mercury contamination research, focusing on how quagga mussels affect mercury movement.

Captain Max (pictured below) represented us well during an interview with local TV yesterday! Stay tuned for the full story. 📺

Learn more about the project at the link in comments.

The McLellan lab was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel! Check it out.

Bay View's South Shore Beach is, in fact, cleaner now | Exclusive The beach was often closed for swimming and earned a reputation as one of the worst beaches in the country. Now, it's turned around.

The history behind National Water Quality Month reaches back to landmark legislation passed more than 50 years ago.

The Clean Water Act of 1972 created a national framework for regulating pollution discharged into U.S. waters and improving surface water quality. Two years later, the Safe Drinking Water Act established protections and standards for public drinking water systems and their sources.

National Water Quality Month emerged in 2005 to continue the conversation about protecting and conserving the water we depend on. Today, federal protections, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, water utilities, scientists and local communities all play a role in safeguarding water quality.

Our water comes from a limited number of natural sources—and we cannot simply manufacture more. Protecting those sources is essential to ensuring that people and ecosystems have access to clean, healthy water for generations to come.

What does it take to understand the water quality at our local beaches? Twenty-five years of research—and a lot of samples.

For 25 years, researchers in the McLellan Lab at the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences have studied microbial water quality at South Shore Beach and other Lake Michigan beaches. Along the way, more than 100 students have helped gather over 10,000 water samples and thousands of sand samples.

This long-term monitoring helps researchers better understand changing beach conditions and the connections between water quality, environmental health and public health.

During National Water Quality Month, we’re celebrating the students and researchers whose work helps communities understand and protect the waters we all enjoy. 🌊🔬

What’s it like to work as a marine tech? Students took a five-day crash course that taught them all about this career — and earned them a marine tech deck microcredential from the Marine Technology Society.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4wDgJvD

🌎💧 Today is World Conservation Day.

Freshwater ecosystems support wildlife, provide drinking water, power industries, and connect communities. Protecting these resources takes research, education, and action.

At the School of Freshwater Sciences, students and researchers work every day to better understand our waters and address challenges facing the Great Lakes and beyond—from water quality and habitat restoration to climate resilience and ecosystem health.

Whether it's reducing pollution, conserving water, participating in a cleanup, or supporting scientific research, every action contributes to healthier waterways for future generations.