Large River Initiative

Shallow lakes are a key resource for waterfowl species, so protecting and restoring these areas is of great importance to managing their populations. This study evaluated the effectiveness of management practices on shallow lakes and their influence on waterbird populations that depend on them. Researchers found that lake management actions increased the abundance of submerged aquatic vegetation...

Rivers have a natural capacity to improve water quality when they are connected to their natural floodplains and are not overloaded with sediment and nutrient runoff. Where rivers have been disconnected from their historical floodplains and channelized to eliminate backwater areas, increased flow and nutrient loads have contributed to local and downstream problems of excessive nutrient enrichment...

Rivermouth ecosystems, or freshwater estuaries, are the focus of human and wildlife interactions with the Great Lakes. They are highly valued as the region’s urban, industrial, shipping and recreational centers; and home to recreational harbors, wildlife viewing and production, beaches and urban riverfronts. Rivermouths are also both the mixing zones where nutrients from upstream watersheds are...