the Project stats

the Project study

Since 1977, Lake Superior State University’s Aquatic Research Lab (ARL) has been housed in a small, two-story section of the east end of Cloverland Electric’s hydro plant. Cloverland and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have supported the lab, and students handle the day-to-day operations while receiving hands-on experience in freshwater research and fish culture. These LSSU graduates obtain jobs in fish and wildlife management, hatchery operations, ecology, and other biological sciences.

The ARL had outgrown its current space, and given our unique location at the nexus of three Great Lakes, are well positioned to play an important role in increasing scientific understanding and education of Great Lakes issues. Therefore, LSSU and the State of Michigan have decided to invest in a new Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE) to increase capacity in freshwater education and science to ensure that the Great Lakes remain great.

The new CFRE building is positioned along the St. Marys riverfront near Alford Park. The facility provides space dedicated to public outreach, a K-12 discovery room, office space for researchers, and multiple labs for conducting research on fish culture and management, emerging contaminants, and invasive species. In addition, LSSU is working with the City of Sault Ste. Marie to create an outdoor educational park surrounding the CFRE that will provide waterfront access to the community.

Read our featured article in CAM Magazine.

Awards won:

Outstanding Achievement Award for Building Design and Construction | The Engineering Society of Detroit

Special Recognition of Community and Environmental Impact | CAM Magazine