• Lake Superior in a stormy mood. Photo copyright Craig Blacklock

    Pictured Rocks

    National Lakeshore Michigan

Air Quality

This aerial view of Spray Falls and the Pictured Rocks cliffs was taken from a small airplane. 

Spray Falls

NPS photo by Karen Gustin

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is designated a Class II area under the Clean Air Act. An assessment based on lichen flora and elemental analysis suggested that air quality in the vicinity is quite good.

Although large-scale heavy industry is quite distant from the lakeshore, some long range/global atmospheric transport of pollutants to the lakeshore area has been documented. Acid deposition in the central Upper Peninsula is a well-established phenomenon. Long-range transport of toxics/pollutants has apparently influenced other remote park units in the region more than PRNL.

No baseline information exists on any ambient air quality parameter within the lakeshore boundary. There is an ozone monitoring station at Marquette, Michigan, 75 km (45 miles) to the west.

Did You Know?

The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches from North Dakota to New York, a distance of 3,200 miles.

The North Country National Scenic Trail connects outstanding scenic, natural, and cultural sites in seven northern states from Crown Point, New York, to Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota. The trail was established on March 5, 1980. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is home to 42 miles of the NCNST. More...