Great Lakes Water Studies Institute

Located at the Great Lakes Campus on Lake Michigan, the Great Lakes Water Studies Institute (GLWSI) at Northwestern Michigan College is strategically positioned to engage individuals and organizations, both locally and globally, in advancing skills, knowledge and understanding of the world’s dynamic water resources.

Marine Technology

• ADCI Certified ROV Pilot Training
• Extensive field operations
• Excellent employment opportunities in the industry
• The first and only bachelor's of science degree in Marine Technology
• A comprehensive associate degree in Marine Technology
  • Hydrographic survey photo gallery
  • ROV dive demonstration photo gallery

Freshwater Studies

• Interdisciplinary approach to water management
• Multiple internship opportunities
• Bachelor’s degree completion pathways
• The first associate degree in Freshwater Studies in the U.S.

What We Offer

• Industry aligned professional development and training
• Private harbor, research vessels, multiple marine platforms and sensors, freshwater and marine technology focused laboratories
• Community Outreach and International Partnerships

Lake Michigan Research Buoys

The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute has three solar-powered monitoring buoys in Lake Michigan off North Manitou Island and in East and West bays between May and October that provide seasonal, real-time data on wind speed and direction, air and water temperature, wave height and other information. View the buoys' most recent data feeds here.

The buoys are part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Data Buoy Center, which designs, develops, operates and maintains a global network of data collecting buoys and coastal stations. They were purchased with a grant that NMC received from the Great Lakes Observing System, in a collaboration with Michigan Technological University's Great Lakes Research Center. Their data supports a broader understanding of the Great Lakes.

Resources

Upper Great Lakes Observing System

Follow the air temperature, wind speed and direction, barometric pressure and relative humidity of West Grand Traverse Bay. Data is transmitted in 10-minute intervals to the internet via cellular modem.

See the Bay... live

Visit the live webcam located at NMC's Great Lakes Campus. You can point the camera where you want to see what's happening on the bay, on the T/S State of Michigan training vessel, or on shore at the Great Lakes Campus. Great Lakes Campus webcam

Contact us

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