Emergency Response Feature

February 2025

February 16 Water Levels Report

Lake Michigan-Huron is 11 inches below its level at this time last year. From a month ago the water levels on Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are down 3, 2, 11, 1 & 1inches, respectively. Lakes Superior, Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie & Ontario are lower by 7, 11, 23, 13 & 10 inches, respectively, than they were at this time last year. Lake Erie is 3 inches above the long-term February average, andLakes Superior, Lake Michigan-Huron, St. Clair & Ontario are 7, 7, 7 & 7 inches below their long-term February averages. All the lakes remain well below their February record highs. In a month, Lakes Superior & Michigan-Huron are expected to fall by 1 & 0 inches, respectively. Lakes St. Clair, Erie & Onta

February 2025

Illinois Governor Delays Invasive Carp Project Amid Federal Funding Concerns

Illinois Governor, JB Pritzker, has put the brakes on a $1.2 billion project at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam aimed at keeping invasive carp out of the Great Lakes, citing concerns that President Donald Trump's administration may not cover the federal government's share of the costs. - The project, which involves installing technologies such as bubble curtains, electric fields, and sound frequencies to deter and stun carp before they can enter Lake Michigan, has been in development since 2020. Governor Pritzker is seeking written assurances from the federal government that it will provide the necessary funding before proceeding, to prevent the state from being on the hook for the project's costs. - The Brandon Road Lock and Dam near Joliet, Illinois, is the

February 2025

The Shock Factor Proves One Gasp Can Be Fatal

Over the years, the Canadian Safe Boating Council (CSBC) has led the charge in educating boaters on the dangers of cold-water immersion. Despite these efforts, drowning incidents still occur, even in warmer waters, with boaters, regardless of swimming ability, losing their lives after falling overboard. To address this ongoing issue, The Shock Factor was launched as a three-year national campaign aimed at reducing drowning incidents and improving Search and Rescue outcomes by revealing how vulnerable boaters are to drowning during accidental immersion. The Premise Behind the Shock Factor The primary goal of The Shock Factor experiments was to challenge misconceptions about lifejacket use. Many boaters excuse not wearing a lifejacket, citing reasons like confidence, swimming ability

February 2025

It's Snowmobile Safety Week: Ride Smart, Ride Safe!

It's Snowmobile Safety Week and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) are urging all snowmobilers to prioritize safety. Over the past decade, 145 snowmobilers have died in OPP jurisdictions, with excessive speed, alcohol impairment, inattention, and lack of helmet use being the main causes. Frozen waterways are particularly dangerous, accounting for nearly 40% of fatalities. Riders are encouraged to avoid frozen lakes and rivers and use OFSC's trail network, supported by real-time status updates through the Interactive Trail Guide (ITG). Accessing closed trails is illegal. The OPP conducts snowmobile patrols and enforces safety through its Snowmobile, ATV, and Vessel Enforcement (S.A.V.E.) teams to reduce accidents and fatalities. O