Lake Superior (known as Gichigami, or ‘big lake’ in Ojibwe) is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area and the third largest by volume, holding 10% of the world's surface fresh water. The lake straddles 150 miles of Minnesota’s northeastern border, with its most western edge ending along the city twin ports of Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin.
February 7, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports that a team of researchers has been trying to track down possible sources of the bacteria on the beaches of lake Superior in Duluth. What they've found so far is surprising, and it raises a big question about the standard way of testing for beach contamination.
April 10, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on the growing pains in Grand Marais. Many Minnesotans make a pilgrimage to Grand Marais, where they enjoy the idyllic setting, the slow pace of life, and the friendly small-town feeling. But for some of the locals, life has been anything but calm lately.
May 3, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports from Grand Marais, where people in town are arguing about their harbor. Some want to rebuild the marina on a grander scale. Others say anything much bigger would destroy the cozy feeling of the waterfront.
May 8, 2006 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesota poet James Armstrong, who talks about his volume "Blue Lash." The poems look at the complex nature of Lake Superior. Armstrong also reads a poem from book.
July 20, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill talks with Michigan author Anne Margaret Lewis about her children's picture book “Gitchi Gumee.” The book that takes readers on a journey across Lake Superior. In the process, they learn about respect and patience, taught by the spirit of the big lake itself, Gitchi Gumee.
October 13, 2006 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson about his opposition to the U.S. Coast Guard conducting periodic training exercises on the Great Lakes to prepare for law enforcement and homeland security missions. The exercises have included live machine gun fire.
December 20, 2006 - MPR’s Stephanie Hemphill reports on a new attraction on the Duluth waterfront…a huge wooden “crib.” It washed ashore after northeaster windstorms. City officials are trying to figure out what to do with it. The giant structure is an impressive reminder of Duluth's industrial past, but it could also present a liability problem.
December 26, 2006 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that the level of Lake Superior recently hit an all time low - at least in recorded history. That's making trouble for boaters, and especially for the big ore freighters. An extended drought and a warming lake are reasons behind the drop in water level.
February 12, 2007 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports on potential Great Lakes Compact, a binding document between the eight Great Lakes states to adopt uniform state laws regulating water withdrawals. Minnesota laws are already stricter than possible compact.
February 23, 2007 - MPR’s Bob Kelleher reports that researchers in Duluth say Lake Superior is quickly warming, even faster than the climate around the lake. They believe decreased lake ice over that last couple decades is behind the warming. With the water temperature change comes concerns over future impact for the local environment and lake species.