Great Lakes Aquarium

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Great Lakes Aquarium in Duluth, MN.

Great Lakes Aquarium is the only aquarium in the United States that focuses on freshwater exhibits. It is housed in a three-story building in Duluth, Minnesota on the shores of Lake Superior and has numerous large and smaller satellite tanks that comprise the 120,000 gallon facility. Construction took 3.5 years and cost around $34 million.

All of the main exhibits of the Great Lakes Aquarium (GLA) are based upon actual habitats in the Lake Superior basin. "Slices" of the St. Louis River, Baptism River, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Kakagon Slough, Isle Royale and Otter Cove can all be viewed up close.

Great Lakes Aquarium is currently (2006) hosting the traveling exhibit, "The ABYSS," which explores deep-ocean exploration and is GLA's first foray into saltwater exhibits. The ABYSS is based on the research of Bob Ballard and houses over forty interactive displays and live marine animal exhibits.

Great Lakes Aquarium also features a local history center, a science center and cultural exhibits.

[edit] History

Like most aquaria, Great Lakes Aquarium was not immune to initial financial hardships. Though temporarily closed in the fall of 2002, GLA reopened that winter on weekends and soon resumed operations 365 days a year. Daily operations of GLA were contracted out to Ripley's Entertainment, Leisure Entertainment Management division, best known for their Believe it or not museums. Ripley's management reduced staff from a high of 90 down to 30 and cut costs in other areas bringing the Aquarium back from the threat of permanent closure. Each successive year under Ripley's management has brought GLA closer to becoming self-sustaining.