Buoy technology reveals workings of Great Lakes South Bend Tribune (1/31) Buoys are some scientists' toy soldiers, strategically positioned to relay nearshore conditions to compile a long-term data set. "Observing Systems" are allowing scientists to be better equipped to predict changes to the ecosystem and water quality.Lake Erie still open for snow business WEWS-5 (Cleveland-Akron, Ohio) (1/29) While January temperatures have been cold, Lake Erie remains unfrozen.