Celebrating 70 years of the
Great Lakes Commission!
Our Work
Here’s some of the work we’re doing to ensure a healthy environment, strong economy and high quality of life for current and future generations.
Thank you!
Thank you for joining us for the 2025 Great Lakes Commission 70th Anniversary Annual Meeting, held October 28-30 in Duluth, Minnesota! Read more about the meeting here.
2024 Great Lakes Commission Annual Report
The 2024 Great Lakes Commission Annual Report is now available online! The GLC’s Annual Report includes highlights and key accomplishments under Chair Mary Mertz of Ohio, and Executive Director Erika Jensen.
2025 GLC Federal Priorities for the Great Lakes
The GLC released its 2025 agenda for the Great Lakes, calling for continued strategic investment in the lakes, which hold 95% of America’s fresh surface water and provide drinking water for more than 47 million people. Read more about our priorities here.
The Advisor
The October 2025 edition of the Commission’s e-newsletter, The Advisor, includes final registration information for the 2025 GLC Annual Meeting in Duluth and a recap of several recent program accomplishments.
A new Great Lakes Water Use Database
The GLC recently launched an updated Great Lakes Water Use Database website that is more secure and makes it easier for the public to access water use data.
Great Lakes Investment Tracker
The new Great Lakes Investment Tracker is an interactive mapping application developed by the Great Lakes Commission to showcase federally-funded projects in Great Lakes states.
Coast Guard begins winter ice-breaking operations on the Great Lakes
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Northern Great Lakes began ice-breaking operations in the Great Lakes on Wednesday for the winter shipping season. Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Spar will manage the ice-breaking needs of Western Lake Superior, specifically Duluth,...
Early-season ice starting to appear on Lake Erie
Some ice has started to form along Lake Erie’s western edge, though federal scientists say these patches represent only the earliest stages of freeze-up, not the onset of lake wide ice. Read the full story by The Plain Dealer.
PFAS action group announces interactive map collecting ‘Eat Safe Fish’ guidelines for Michigan
Earlier this week, the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network announced an interactive mapping tool to help protect Michigan anglers looking to reel in a meal. Read the full story by Michigan Advance.
New Great Lakes water use report demonstrates shared stewardship of the world’s largest freshwater system
Ann Arbor, Michigan/Chicago, Illinois — A report released today on Great Lakes water use demonstrates the region’s ongoing commitment to coordinated, science-based management of the world’s largest freshwater system. The 2024 Annual Report of the Great Lakes Regional...
Grants awarded to improve regional management of invasive Phragmites across the Great Lakes basin
Ann Arbor, Michigan – Nearly $315,000 will be awarded to support local organizations in controlling nonnative Phragmites australis, one of the most aggressive plant species invading the Great Lakes basin and North America. Grantees will implement certain combinations...
Great Lakes Commission awards more than $1.7 million to reduce runoff and improve Great Lakes water quality
Ann Arbor, Mich. – The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) will award more than $1.76 million in grants to local groups to reduce the runoff of pollutants such as sediment and nutrients from entering the Great Lakes and their tributaries. Since 2016, projects funded by the...
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GREAT LAKES EVENTS
For more events, visit the
Great Lakes Calendar
Introduction to Lakes Online
January 20, 2026International Conference on Water Management Modeling (ICWMM)
February 25, 2026 - February 27, 20262026 Great Lakes Commission Semiannual Meeting and Great Lakes Day
March 3, 2026 - March 5, 2026