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.

Driftwood on a snowy beach, Duluth, Minnesota. Great Lakes Water in Action. Michael Kris Anderson.
Snow covered pathway to the shore, Duluth, Minnesota. Great Lakes Water in Action. Michael Kris Anderson.
Ice formations along Minnesota Point, Duluth, Minnesota. Great Lakes Water in Action. Michael Kris Anderson.
House flooded by high Lake Ontario water levels, 2019. Scriba, New York. Great Lakes Water in Action. Michael Butler.
The mouth of 12 Mile Creek, following record high water levels in Lake Ontario in 2017 and 2019. Wilson, New York. Great Lakes Water in Action. John Schmidt
Walking on water during record high water levels in Lake Ontario, 2017. Wolcott, New York. Great Lakes Water In Action. Chelsea Spiegel
Port Bay Barrier Bar during record high water levels in Lake Ontario, 2017. Wolcott, New York. Great Lakes Water in Action. Chelsea Spiegel
A flooded front yard during record high water levels in Lake Ontario in 2017. Wolcott, NY. Great Lakes Water in Action. Chelsea Spiegel
Property flooded during record high water levels in Lake Ontario, 2019. Three Mile Bay, New York. Michael Percy.
Awaiting your image for analysis and alt text generation.
Ice breaks below Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, Ontario. Great Lakes Water in Action. Phanikumar Mantha
A beaver rescued from Canal Park, just before diving into Lake Superior. Duluth, Minnesota. Great Lakes Water in Action. Tony Janisch