Donate Today to Support Great Lakes Safety
December 16, 2025
Donate to support something at the heart of Great Lakes safety: The observing systems that quietly work around the clock to keep people informed and protected.
Across all five lakes, buoys and weather towers form the backbone of the Great Lakes observing network. They may seem simple, but together they deliver the real-time information that millions of people rely on each year.
Buoys are often the first line of safety on open water. By measuring waves, wind, temperature, and more, they help ship captains navigate shifting conditions, support charter operators and anglers planning their time on the water, and give sailors, paddlers, swimmers, and beachgoers crucial insight before hazardous conditions develop.
Weather towers measure winds, air temperature, and atmospheric pressure – all critical parameters for weather forecasters to assess local conditions and adjust predictions in near real-time.
These towers, located on the lake at lighthouses or at the shoreline, serve as year-round data collecting sentinels.
These systems form a shared safety net for mariners, coastal communities, and the region’s economy.
While this information is free to the public, it is not free to collect or maintain. Your support keeps this critical infrastructure operating when it matters most.
Samuel Johnson, GLOS.
Support the buoys and sensors that keep you safe on the Great Lakes:
Give Now https://glos.org/donate/
Thank you for helping protect these waters and the people who depend on them.
Sincerely,
The GLOS Team
