Great Lakes Photo Showcase 

The International Joint Commission (IJC) works to engage and educate people on the issues that shape Great Lakes water quality. To support this work, the IJC is seeking photos from around the Great Lakes showing the countless ways that people interact with the Great Lakes.

Submitting photos: Entries are accepted on an ongoing basis (up to six (6) photos per person). Public voting begins in early 2026. Winners will be contacted via email.

Cast Your Vote: Great Lakes Water in Action

How voting works: Browse the gallery and tap the Like button to cast your vote. You may vote for as many photos as you wish, but only once per photo.

View the galleries for the other categories:

What’s next: Winning photos will be featured in a post card series, on the IJC’s homepage and on our social media platforms. Photos will also be incorporated into the IJC’s upcoming assessment report on Great Lakes water quality.

Bed of American Lotus (Nulembo Lutea) at the mouth of the Huron River in Brownstown Township, Michigan (Pointe Mouillee State Game Area) on the Western Shore of Lake Erie with freighter up bound on the Lake Erie sailing course (St. Lawrence Seaway) entering Amherstburg Channel (Canada) on the Detroit River. Brownstown Township, Michigan. Great Lakes Water in Action. Richard Micka.
A view of a merchant ship on the Detroit River looking from Windsor, ON in Canada towards Detroit, MI in the U.S. Detroit, Michigan. Great Lakes Water in Action. Dawn Schilling.
A view of a merchant ship on the Detroit River looking from Windsor, ON in Canada towards Detroit, MI in the U.S. Windsor, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Dawn Schilling.
View of a tugboat on the Detroit River. Looking at Detroit, MI from Windsor, CN. Windsor, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Dawn Schilling.
View of a tugboat and barge on the Detroit River. Looking at Detroit, MI from Windsor, CN. Windsor, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Dawn Schilling.
High bluffs east of Port Bruce under Catfish Creek Conservation Authority's jurisdiction. Port Bruce, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Katie Franken.
Hardened shoreline near stormwater outlet under Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority's jurisdiction. Stoney Creek, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Katie Franken.
An erosive crater first seen in 2013 is encroaching on former farmland. Freeze–thaw cycles, groundwater seepage, and stronger wave action are accelerating bluff erosion, causing the land to steadily incave. Port Burwell, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Katie Franken.
The QEW near Jordan Harbour; a vital corridor, keeping people and goods moving across the region. Lincoln, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Katie Franken.
At-risk roads and homes under Long Point Region's Conservation Authority's jurisdiction. Clear Creek, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Katie Franken.
Bluff erosion is eating away at Old Dexter Line under Kettle Creek Conservation Authority's jurisdiction. To stay safe and connected, the community built the New Dexter Line just north of the threatened road (community-driven adaptation action). Central Elgin, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Katie Franken.
View of the Thousand Islands from an altitude of about 2,000 ft looking SE towards Lake Ontario. View of Ontario and New York. And there's a ship in the river. Alexandria Bay, New York. Great Lakes Water in Action. Michael Twiss.