Steve Ruberg will share his expertise on emerging robotic technologies that are providing immediately available information year-round and under ice. While research vessels with human crews will always be an important component of Great Lakes research and monitoring, robotic vehicles show promise for collecting routine ecosystem information and for operations in extreme environments.

Steve is an Observing Systems Principle Investigator and the lead of the Observing Systems and Advanced Technology (OSAT) branch at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. At present the focus of OSAT is on advancements in remote sensing, autonomous vehicles, and winter ecosystem observations.

Join Making Waves for our Virtual Spring Confluence Conversation: Robotic and Real-time Technology for Ecosystem Observations.

Steve Ruberg will share his expertise on emerging robotic technologies that are providing immediately available information year-round and under ice. While research vessels with human crews will always be an important component of Great Lakes research and monitoring, robotic vehicles show promise for collecting routine ecosystem information and for operations in extreme environments.

Steve is an Observing Systems Principle Investigator and the lead of the Observing Systems and Advanced Technology (OSAT) branch at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. At present the focus of OSAT is on advancements in remote sensing, autonomous vehicles, and winter ecosystem observations.

“Multiple record high levels were set on the Great Lakes in 2019 and 2020 resulting in increased risks from erosion and coastal flooding”— US Army Corp of Engineers

High Great Lake levels affect West Michigan, eroding lakeshore property, damaging public parks and natural spaces.  Experts will present data, information, and images documenting the impacts of rising lake levels.   Deanna Apps, US Army Corp of Engineers Lead Forecaster, will give a presentation entitled “Rising Great Lakes Levels”.  Curtis TerHaar, coordinator of park planning and development for Ottawa County Parks will speak on lakeshore erosion and impacts to Ottawa Parks.

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Deanna Apps, US Army Corp of Engineers Lead Forecaster, gave a presentation entitled “Rising Great Lakes Levels”. 

Deanna Apps has worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Detroit District for 4 years and is the lead forecaster for Great Lakes water levels. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Oswego State University and went on to complete her Master's degree in Geography from Michigan State University. She grew up in Upstate New York and was a frequent visitor to Lake Ontario before moving to Michigan, where she was able to travel to the rest of the Great Lakes.

A copy of the presentation in PDF format can be downloaded here.

Curtis TerHaar, coordinator of park planning and development for Ottawa County Parks gave a presentation on lakeshore erosion and impacts to Ottawa Parks.  Curt is a landscape architect and land planner with 30 years of experience in the planning, design, and construction of recreation and other outdoor public use areas. He started with the Ottawa County Parks system in 2005 after working at private design firms in West Michigan including his own landscape architecture design company. Curt was born and raised in Grand Haven and has a degree in Landscape Architecture from Michigan State University.

A copy of the presentation in PDF format can be downloaded here.