Minnesota Sea Grant-supported researchers are investigating the depths of Lake Superior to understand how ice cover affects the lake's physical and chemical dynamics and the phytoplankton and zooplankton that live there.

Ice Formation is Not a Singular Phenomenon

Lake and river ice is an amazing, dangerous, and wonderful thing. My home office overlooks the Duluth harbor with a view out to Lake Superior on one side and the St. Louis River on the other. This winter when I take breaks from working at my desk, I look out at the forming, drifting, breaking, and piling ice and see more than simply ice. The formation of ice on lakes is important due to its influence on lake biology, shore structure, navigation, and recreation.