The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve

About us

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve encompasses over 16,000 acres along the St. Louis River freshwater estuary in Wisconsin. The Reserve is part of the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension’s Natural Resources Institute with leadership from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and is based on the University of Wisconsin-Superior campus in the City of Superior.

The Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve is a member of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, a network of 30 reserves across the United States designated for long-term research on coastal resources and the human populations those resources support. The Lake Superior Reserve is one of only two estuarine reserves in the Reserve System located on the Great Lakes. This makes the research we and our partners conduct all the more vital to the understanding of freshwater resources and the health of the Great Lakes, which hold more than 20 percent of the Earth’s surface freshwater.

Our reserve is centered on the St. Louis River Estuary between Superior, Wisconsin, and Duluth, Minnesota. However, we envision a Lake Superior where all coastal watersheds and estuaries are understood, valued and thriving. To accomplish this, we prioritize work on climate change, water quality, healthy ecosystems, strengthening communities and developing a sense of place.