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Satellite Imagery of Manitoba's Great Lakes - 2012
THE SATELLITE IMAGE PAGE HAS NOW MOVED TO WWW.LAKEWINNIPEGRESEARCH.ORG/BLOG. THERE WILL BE NO MORE IMAGES POSTED TO THIS PAGE. The satellite images on this page were taken by the Moderate Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the NASA satellites Terra and Aqua. Imagery from 2009 onwards was prepared by Dr. Karen Scott (LWRC) and is consistent with previous satellite images prepared by Dr. Greg McCullough (U Manitoba). For more background information on the imagery and to view images from 2003 to 2005, visit Dr. McCullough's website at http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~gmccullo/LWsat.htm.
CLICK ON THE IMAGE BELOW FOR A HIGHER RESOLUTION VERSION (<1 MB IN SIZE) |
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MARCH 14, 2012 |
MARCH 21, 2012 |
MARCH 25, 2012 |
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APRIL 1, 2012 |
APRIL 3, 2012 |
APRIL 5, 2012 |
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| APRIL 12, 2012 |
APRIL 19, 2012 |
APRIL 21, 2012 |
Interesting that the timing of ice-out this year is comparable to that in 2010 when the south basin was ice free by April 19th. In 2006, the south basin was ice free by April 24th and in 2007 by May 1st. In contrast, the south basin was covered in ice on April 19th, 2011. Similarly, ice-out was comparatively late in 2009 with a large ice sheet still intact on May 11th.
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APRIL 22, 2012 |
APRIL 26, 2012 |
APRIL 28, 2012 |
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MAY 3, 2012 |
MAY 8, 2012 |
MAY 14, 2012 |
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MAY 26, 2012 |
MAY 30, 2012 |
JUNE 6, 2012 |
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| JUNE 22, 2012 |
JUNE 24, 2012 |
JUNE 27, 2012 |
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| JULY 1, 2012 |
JULY 6, 2012 |
JULY 8, 2012 |
Some interesting features in these July images. Most obvious is the algal bloom that is developing in the south basin, south of Hecla Island -- clearest in the July 8th image. There appears to be a bloom in the north basin as well forming south of Long Point. This bloom is of comparable size to the south basin bloom; however appears much smaller in the context of the larger basin. There is also a bloom in the narrows region between Deer Island and the Bloodvein.
Also of note is the heterogeneity in the south basin. There is higher turbidity east of the bloom and a pocket of clear water in the south where the Red River enters the lake. Light will be less limiting in this area and if weather conditions permit, an algal bloom may start to form. |
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| JULY 10, 2012 |
JULY 11, 2012 |
JULY 13, 2012 |
The clarity of these images is somewhat poor and it is difficult to say what is happening with the south basin bloom. The difference in turbidity is also less obvious; however, the water in the southern portion of the basin is still quite clear - something to keep an eye on. Although obscured by cloud, the Long Point bloom does appear to be growing in the north basin.
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| JULY 17, 2012 |
JULY 19, 2012 |
JULY 20, 2012 |
Despite the high winds on July 16, the algal blooms were still very visible on the 17th, especially in the narrows where there is less cloud cover and smoke in the image. (If you zoom in on the larger image, you can see a small fire burning north of Berens River -- one of many in northern Manitoba.) The image on July 20th is among the clearest as of late - interesting band of high turbidity along the eastern shoreline.
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| JULY 21, 2012 |
JULY 22, 2012 |
JULY 24, 2012 |
Despite the poor image quality on July 21st, you can still see quite extensive blooms in the south basin and narrows, and comparatively smaller blooms in the north basin. (Note the wildfires.) The July 22nd image was cropped due to the path of the satellite - it appears that the high winds on the 22nd may have dissipated or submerged the algal blooms rendering them less visible. July 24th - they're back. It is really quite remarkable how extensive the algal blooms are in the south basin and narrows this year, especially the south basin, which is typically too turbid to support such extensive growth - and it's still early in the season.
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| JULY 26, 2012 |
JULY 27, 2012 |
JULY 29, 2012 |
It's nice to have clear images of the entire lake. The July 26th image was taken late in the afternoon following strong winds with gusts up to 29 knots in some parts of the lake -- a likely reason why the blooms are not as visible. The ship was delayed in Grand Rapids due to these winds. Something that caught my eye was the north shore erosion and the plume of turbid water that appears to be leaving via the 2-Mile Channel - and of course, the small bloom in the north basin is also noteworthy. Relatively calm winds on July 27th seem to have allowed the blooms to re-surface and increase in size, covering a good portion of the south basin and narrows. The July 29th image shows the south basin and narrows blooms very clearly, and it is apparent that the extent of the north basin bloom is increasing near the outflow and eastern side of the basin. Unfortunately, no clear images have since been taken (as of August 6th).
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| AUGUST 9, 2012 |
AUGUST 11, 2012 (17:20) |
AUGUST 11, 2012 (19:05) |
This image is the first in over a week where the lake is not obscured by clouds. The algal blooms in the south basin are less obvious than they have been, but still present. Algae advisories have been issued by the Province for Hillside, Victoria (Red Cross Dock) and West Grand beaches and at the lagoon at West Grand Beach. The water in the south basin remains fairly clear despite its natural turbidity so it is probable that the blooms will persist in this basin. There are no extensive pelagic blooms in the north basin yet but some evidence that they are forming near-shore on the east and west shores. The plumes of the east side rivers with their high DOC (dissolved organic carbon, which imparts a dark brown colour), are now more noticeable too. Much the same for the July 11th images, which were taken a few hours apart. The south basin bloom is most apparent along the eastern shore north of the Winnipeg River. The narrows bloom is also not as obvious as it was in late July although there seems to be a healthy patch near the Bloodvein River plume. Clouds obscure the north basin for the most part, but in the 1st image from the 11th, the bloom activity is certainly not as apparent as some years. PLEASE NOTE THAT THE SATELLITE IMAGE PAGE HAS MOVED TO WWW.LAKEWINNIPEGRESEARCH.ORG/BLOG. THERE WILL BE NO MORE IMAGE POSTINGS TO THIS PAGE.
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