Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
The USGS seeks a partner to test low-cost autonomous underwater vehicles for real-time monitoring of episodic water quality issues, such as cyanobacteria blooms, in Lake Champlain over a 24-month project.
Funder: Geological Survey
Due Dates: June 29, 2026
Funding Amounts: Total funding up to $299,971 for a single award; project duration is 24 months.
Summary: Supports a CESU partner to evaluate low-cost autonomous underwater vehicle technology for rapid, real-time water quality assessment in Lake Champlain.
Key Information: Applicant must be a current partner of the Great Lakes-Northern Forest CESU.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provides funding for a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partner to assess the operational readiness of the JaiaBot BIO, a low-cost autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) equipped with in-situ water quality sensors. The project focuses on rapid, three-dimensional mapping of water quality degradation in Lake Champlain, particularly during episodic events such as high-flow riverine plumes and cyanobacteria blooms.
The goals are to:
- Quantify spatial distribution and severity of water quality threats in near real time,
- Compare AUV-derived data with satellite and fixed platform monitoring,
- Demonstrate the value of AI-enabled, autonomous reconnaissance for environmental monitoring and management.
Four JaiaBot BIO AUVs will be purchased for the project and transferred to the recipient upon completion. The project aligns with federal priorities to modernize environmental monitoring networks and support emergency response and resilience planning.
