Michigan lakes, streams, and rivers get their life from the watersheds that feed them, and the health of those watersheds is crucial to the life of those waterbodies. With 63 major watersheds in Michigan that break into another 267 sub-watersheds, these networks of lakes and streams eventually make their way to the Great Lakes. To dive deeper into efforts to maintain the health of watersheds, five Southeast Michigan Watersheds, including the Clinton River, Rouge River, Huron

Dredging an inland lake is necessary for recreational reasons but can also be destructive to a lake’s local ecosystem.

Blessed by the Southeast Michigan Catholic Churches as a Lenten rescue, hailed as an ecosystem indicator, a boon to the fur industry, but can also be a bane to the existence of lakefront property owners – Michigan muskrats. For generations, these small furry nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) creatures have navigated Michigan’s rivers, lakes and streams, making their homes on the banks and creating huts on the water.

Home insurance can be complex for lakefront property owners, with insurance agents recommending these homeowners have the necessary amount of insurance to provide significant financial protection against a catastrophic event like structure fire or serious personal injury.

More than 300 named lakes are scattered across Oakland County, which suggests that the number of lakefront restaurants with water views are plentiful.

Aquatic water insects are some of the least studied elements of the Michigan lake ecosystem, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways for local residents to support the insect population.

Leo Hendrick Baekeland innocently invented plastic in 1907. The easily shaped, durable, and inexpensive material became a staple in homes and businesses, with thousands of beneficial uses. Other scientists would come along and build upon the invention, but few probably foresaw the global problems they were creating in their labs.

Michigan’s water and woods set the stage for an annual orchestral performance that begins when March weather warms and continues through late summer. The Michigan toads and frogs symphony features each species' mating song, from high-pitched trills and whistles to low-pitched moos. Common sounds include the high-pitched chorus of spring peepers, the long musical trill of the American toad, the banjo-pluck of Green Frogs, and the deep, loud bass of American Bullfrogs. These we

Weeds are an important element in the overall eco system of any lake. They provide food for some members of the lake environment and they also provide shelter from predators. But on the flip side, many lake problems start with a weed that grows quietly below the surface. For Oakland County inland lake property owners, understanding what’s growing in the water and how to treat or manage it can be the difference between a healthy lake and one slowly headed toward long-term dama

There are several hundred species of crayfish in North America, but one invasive species of crayfish is getting an outsized amount of attention from water biologists and agencies around Michigan and Oakland County. That’s because officials are doing everything possible to prevent the spread of red swamp crayfish, which cause havoc on local ecosystems.

Every time you search the internet for information, from “how to make Detroit-style pizza” to “tell me about Michigan turtles,” or stream your favorite show or even send an email, those requests are routed to the nearest, fastest-available data center through a global network that prioritizes low latency (speed) and proximity to you, drawing from many locations, such as Ohio, Oregon, or even Ireland, rather than one single place. As the world continues to rely on the World Wi

Inland lake property owners may not think about the impact of dissolved oxygen on their local environment often, but it plays a critical role in the health of their lake and the fish that live in it.

Home to nearly 1.3 million people, Oakland County encompasses 62 cities, villages and townships, spanning 907 square miles. According to the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner office, there are 1,400 lakes intertwined in those square miles with scores of lakefront homes. Homes on water and those that are not considered water-improved total about 567,000 living units.

Each foot of lakefront in Michigan holds both personal and monetary value. Whether rugged and natural, untouched, or carefully maintained for water recreation, when it’s time to protect that footage with a bit of love, care and nourishment, there are options. Lake water activities, such as boating and recreational use, can erode a shoreline, washing away sand and sediment. However, lakefront owners have options to replace the lost sand on their land and even add material to t

The recreational electric boat market continues to grow nationally, statewide and in Oakland County. Yet despite the prevalence of data pointing to increasing demand, some boaters are unlikely to turn away from traditional gas-powered motors in the near future.

The legal rights to use public road ends that border an inland lake has long been a topic of uncertainty, and occasionally contention in Oakland County and throughout the state of Michigan.

Land and water harmonize to compose Michigan into an outdoorsman’s paradise with lakes and streams and rivers bordered by four of the Great Lakes – Superior, Huron, Erie and Michigan. Much like a Lennon and McCartney masterpiece, land and water create the paradise but contaminants from residential, industry and agriculture threaten to break up that harmony.

Surrounded by one-fifth of the planet’s fresh surface water, Michigan is full of boating and freshwater recreation opportunities for residents even if they don’t own lakefront property, which is why to help ensure that all residents and visitors can access the five Great Lakes and many of the state’s 11,000-plus inland lakes, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages nearly 1,300 public boat launch and access sites and more than 82 public harbors across the s

Great Blue Herons and Great White Egrets are often described as mysterious and majestic – so much so that the National Audubon Society uses the Great White Egret in flight as its symbol. These common wading birds are found in wetland areas from South America to Canada and they're quite prevalent in Michigan and across Oakland County.

Dinosaurs, lizards, and turtles all roamed the Earth some 200 million years ago. Although dinosaurs became extinct, the other two survived and still inhabit the planet. Turtles are more prevalent in warmer climates, with 357 known species worldwide, 10 of which call Michigan home. This diverse array of turtles is vital to the ecosystem, spanning wetlands, lakes, rivers, and streams. They serve as “garbage collectors” and play an essential role in the food chain, providing be