Years into its review of a proposal to move Line 5 from the open water of the Great Lakes into a concrete-lined underground tunnel, the US Army Corps of Engineers has added a new option to the mix.
Great Lakes News Collaborative

Bridge Michigan, Circle of Blue, Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television, The Narwhal and Michigan Public work together to report on the most pressing threats to the Great Lakes region’s water. This independent journalism is supported by the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation.
Water’s True Cost
As the nation prepares to pour hundreds of billions of federal dollars into rescuing water systems, the Great Lakes News Collaborative investigates the true cost of water in Michigan. Read the series.
Ready or Not
The Great Lakes region is frequently touted as one of the most climate-resilient places in the U.S., in part because of its enviable water resources. But climate change also threatens our water. The Great Lakes News Collaborative explores what it will take to prepare. Read the series.
Watch: Saving Great Lakes whitefish is a race against time
After months spent writing about the looming collapse of whitefish in the lower Great Lakes, Bridge Michigan teamed up with Detroit PBS to tell the story in documentary form. Here’s how to watch.
Michigan lawmakers seek $500M to stop mussels, save Great Lakes whitefish
US Reps. Debbie Dingell and Tim Walberg are planning legislation to boost research to control invasive mussels, following Bridge Michigan reporting about the impending collapse of whitefish.
How a bonus led to Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. And 6 more surprises about ship
The Great Lakes’ most famous shipwreck was 50 years ago. Theories abound, but the Fitzgerald wouldn’t have even been on Lake Superior if not for the medical bills of the captain’s wife.
What to know about Michigan whitefish crisis, from limits to solutions
Invasive mussels that blanket the depths of lakes Huron and Michigan have pushed whitefish to the brink of extinction. What to know about possible solutions and why Lake Superior so far is spared.
Whitefish crash has Michigan fishers on the brink: ‘It makes you want to cry’
Only a few dozen commercial fishing operations remain on the Great Lakes, as invasive species have decimated the industry. It’s a collapse unlike any in the world, and solutions are few.
‘The Gales of November’ excerpt: Edmund Fitzgerald built for luxury, not safety
In this excerpt of “The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” author John U. Bacon explains that the mighty freighter was constructed to hold as much cargo as possible and impress captains of industry.
Swimming drone explores underwater mountain in Lake Superior
The Superior Shoal is a mass of underwater volcanic rock that rises out of the floor of Lake Superior. Researchers and filmmakers think it could be a magnet for life beneath the surface.
In win for Michigan cities, court clears South Haven in beach drowning suit
The state Court of Appeals has cleared the city of South Haven of liability in the 2020 drowning of an 18-year-old swimmer at a public beach on the Lake Michigan coast.
Opinion | Climate change puts Great Lakes at risk, but solutions are in sight
A new report shows the lakes are warming fast, creating profound changes to Michigan’s way of life. The time for commonsense solutions is now.