Great Lakes Now: Shrinking Winter
PBS Western Reserve (WNEO 45.1 / WEAO 49.1):
Saturday, Oct. 7, at 6 PM
Scientists work to understand the causes and potential effects of less ice cover on the Great Lakes, a documentary photographer and three longtime ice anglers reflect on changes to the winter fishing season, and a competitive speed skater reflects on the joys of “wild ice.” This episode originally aired in February 2022, and it was one of the Great Lakes Now team’s favorites this year. Find updates below!
Shrinking Winter
Fifty years of observations make one thing clear: Great Lakes ice cover is declining. What does that mean for the lakes? And for the living beings that depend on them? We don’t know. The role of winter in the life of the Great Lakes is understudied, partly because freezing temperatures and ice make it hard to do anything on the lakes — including research. Now scientists are racing to fill in the gaps in our understanding, but how will they do it?
UPDATE: Great Lakes Now checked in with the scientists behind this segment about their work. Watch it on YouTube.
Angling For Ice
The Great Lakes region is full of natural beauty all year round. No one knows this better than photographer Amy Sacka, whose most recent project “Last Ice” is focused on the tradition of ice fishing. But Sacka kept hearing one thing as she traveled around the lakes to take pictures: there’s less ice than there used to be. Ice fishing is a pastime, a tradition, an industry, and a food source — and declining Great Lakes ice cover means sometimes it’s impossible.
UPDATE: Great Lakes Now checked in with Sacka about what she’s been documenting around the Great Lakes recently. Watch it on YouTube.
Milwaukee Speed Skater
Brian Hansen is a three-time Olympic speed skater, but these days, he’s leaving the indoor rinks and exploring “wild ice,” on rivers and harbors and floating ice islands. For skaters, these natural surfaces bring incredible surroundings — and some very real safety concerns.