A new initiative led by marine scientist Jennifer Boehme seeks to map every meter of the Great Lakes' bottom, revealing hundreds of underwater shipwrecks and topographical features. This ambitious project, spearheaded by the Great Lakes Observing System, aims to provide high-resolution maps that will enhance navigation safety, identify fisheries, and inform climate-related models.
Despite only a fraction of the lakes being mapped since the 1970s, advancements in technology such as multibeam sonar and laser imaging have made this endeavor feasible. These tools can detect intricate underwater features and provide three-dimensional imaging of the lakebed.
The proposed mapping project, which covers an area larger than Kansas, has gained traction with the introduction of a bill by Michigan representatives seeking $200 million in funding by 2030. The project promises to reveal the locations of up to 6,000 shipwrecks and ancient coastal relics while aiding in environmental conservation efforts.
Boehme emphasizes the importance of persistence in advocating for this public good, highlighting the need to understand and conserve the Great Lakes ecosystem.