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The Superior Watershed Partnership mobilized its partners to implement on-the-ground cleanups and educational events throughout communities in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to reduce marine debris in the nearshore waters of Lake Superior’s coastal and tribal communities.
Type of Project: Removal
Region: Great Lakes
Project Dates: September 2021 - August 2024
Who was involved?
With support from the NOAA Marine Debris Program, the Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP) partnered with the Lake Superior Volunteer Corps (LSVC), Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC), the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), and Earthkeepers II in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
What was the project and why is it important?
With over 900 miles of Lake Superior coastline, the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan is a unique freshwater haven treasured and depended upon by residents and tourists alike. The publicly accessible shorelines, especially those within and adjacent to coastal communities, are a primary draw to the 311,00 people that reside in the UP and the millions of people that visit it each year. Furthermore, the species-rich waters of Lake Superior are an important resource for both recreational and commercial fishing, including tribal fisheries throughout treaty-ceded waters. Marine debris, such as large plastics, derelict fishing gear, industrial debris, and other trash have had historic and present impacts to the local economy and natural resources that many depend upon in the UP.
To reduce marine debris in the nearshore waters of Lake Superior’s southern shoreline, the SWP mobilized LSVC, two tribal communities, the City of Marquette, and Earthkeepers’ faith-based network of 220 Upper Peninsula churches to implement on-the-ground clean-up events.
What were the results?
This project removed approximately 24,000 pounds—over 10 metric tons—of marine debris from Lake Superior’s southern shoreline and nearshore waters, which was more than double the project goal. Some of the recovered debris was incorporated into an art display at Isle Royale National Park in 2024 through a partnership between the National Park Service and NOAA Marine Debris Program.
SWP’s outreach and education efforts reached an estimated 301,000 people across the Upper Peninsula, which led to an improved public understanding of marine debris impacts by community members and visitors alike. Overall, 136 volunteers contributed 655 hours of their time.
SWP field crews also contributed their cleanup data to the NOAA Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Project (MDMAP). In total, SWP completed 76 shoreline monitoring surveys at 47 sites, covering more than 200 miles of Lake Superior coastline. Data was collected on 1,686 marine debris items, 82% of which were plastic. The most common identifiable items were cigarette butts, bottle caps, food wrappers, and cigar tips. On average, they found 28 debris items per 100 meters of shoreline.
SWP’s work resulted in water quality improvements that benefit NOAA trust resources, including over 260 acres of sensitive coastal and nearshore aquatic habitat, commercial and recreational fishery resources, and more. These activities not only benefit Lake Superior, but the entire Great Lakes basin—a life-sustaining resource containing approximately 90% of the United States’ surface freshwater supply.
For more information about this project, visit the Marine Debris Program Clearinghouse.