Free Boat Excursions on July 4

Agassiz Rides‘How do scientists assess the health of Torch Lake?’ is the theme of free scientific excursions on Michigan Tech’s research vessel Agassiz on July 4 at the Lake Linden Village Park and Marina. Four scientific excursions will leave the Lake Linden Marina dock from noon to 3 p.m. On-site sign-up begins at 11:30 a.m. Trips depart at noon, 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. Space is limited; the Agassiz’s capacity is 14.

On each scientific excursion, a Michigan Tech Great Lakes scientist will demonstrate the use of sampling equipment to collect plankton, sediment and other water-quality information that reveal the health of the lake. Microscopes will be available on land for participants to view the aquatic organisms. Participants will investigate the connection between land use and the health of the Great Lakes. Participants must be at least 7 years of age. Life jackets are available for all passengers.

Amy Keranen of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) Remediation and Redevelopment Division will be on hand to answer questions about MDEQ’s work on Torch Lake in Lake Linden, Hubbell and Tamarack City.

“Copper Country residents and visitors are invited to learn how scientists study the Great Lakes and what factors contribute to a healthy lake,” explains Joan Chadde, education program director at he Western UP Center for Science, Mathematics and Environmental Education and the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech, coordinators of the event. “These scientific excursions for the public have been offered at the Chassell Strawberry Festival since 2006 and have been extremely popular. Youth and adults enjoy the opportunity to interact with Great Lakes scientists and ask questions. We wanted to make this available to Lake Linden residents too.”

This year’s excursions are funded by the GM Ride the Waves program, which puts more than 500 Copper Country youth and adults on the water to learn about the Great Lakes, along with support from the Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society.

To sign up in advance for an excursion, call 7-3341.

From Tech Today.