NOAA Begins 2026 Hydrographic Mapping Work on Great Lakes

By GLSR Staff | May 21, 2026 Environment, Latest News, Marine Highway

For the first time since 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is conducting mapping operations across portions of Lakes Erie, Huron, Michigan and Superior. The NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson returned to the Great Lakes in April to begin operations. NOAA Corps officers and professional mariners are working with NOAA scientists to map the waters of western and central Lake Erie and eastern Lake Ontario this year to improve navigational safety. The vessel and crew will also conduct survey work in the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary to identify critical habitats.

Western Lake Erie has not been surveyed since the 1940s. This portion of Lake Erie is one of the shallowest areas within the Great Lakes marine transportation system and is a popular navigation channel used by commercial and recreational vessels. NOAA’s seafloor mapping surveys help to reduce vessel collisions, identify seafloor dangers and facilitate more efficient fishing operations.

According to NOAA, the Great Lakes are the least mapped region in the United States, with only 17% of the waters mapped.

Feature photo credit: Personnel of NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson

TAGS: hydrographic mapping, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Thomas Jefferson

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