Global warming to deplete Great Lakes

by michelle.sundvick | May 28, 2008 at 11:44 am

1489 views | 9 Recommendations | 32 comments

Yet another thing being affected by global warming. Environmental groups are reporting that global warming is likely to drain even more water from the Great Lakes. They've also stated that the region's vulnerable ecosystem is facing additional threats.

Climate change could further reduce scant ice cover observed in recent winters, increasing evaporation rates and dropping water levels in the five lakes that collectively make up 20 percent of the world's surface fresh water.
Last year, Lake Superior water levels receded to their lowest in 77 years before rebounding, and the report by the Healing Our Waters-Great Lakes Coalition predicted global warming could lower lake levels by up to 3 feet (1 meter) over the next century.
The lower levels will hamper lake shipping, expose polluted sediments, and further damage water quality.
"Climate change is threatening the health of the Great Lakes and jeopardizing efforts to restore them," the coalition's Jeff Skelding said in a teleconference.
The coalition represents groups including zoos, fishing and hunting interests, business organizations and environmental groups.
The report said global warming added to the urgent need for the U.S. Congress to act on more pieces of a $20 billion Great Lakes restoration plan, proposed back in 2005.
Spending priorities are billions of dollars needed to repair antiquated sewage treatment plants as well as cleaning up toxic sediments from past pollution, restoring coastal wetlands that naturally cleanse pollutants and stopping invasive species of fish, plants and mussels, the report said.
Scientists studying climate change have predicted more frequent droughts that will hurt the lakes' coastal ecosystem coupled with more intense storms that produce runoff containing toxic metals, viruses and other pollutants, the report said.
THIRSTY WORLD
The report blamed warming temperatures for ruining ice fishing in many areas, shortening the snowmobile season and harming Michigan's tart cherry crop. Warming could expand or create new oxygen-depleted "dead zones" in the lakes caused in part by uncontrolled algae growth and other processes.
"If Congress delays in acting to curb global warming and to restore the lakes, the problems will only get worse and the solutions more costly," Skelding said.
Perhaps the most promising avenue for new funding is contained in a proposal in Congress that calls for auctioning off permits to emit greenhouse gases in a so-called cap-and-trade system. Proceeds from the auctions could provide a stream of up to $3 billion a year for ecological restoration, said Andy Buchsbaum of the National Wildlife Federation.
Meanwhile, eight U.S. states and two Canadian provinces bordering the lakes should enact a compact to prevent diversions of lake water to an "increasingly thirsty world," Buchsbaum said. All but three states have passed the compact, after which the federal governments of both countries would be asked to ratify it.

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Jordan Yerman

at 12:16 on May 28th, 2008

Hey! I'm still using this one! (Lake Ontario)

eastvanray

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 15:47 on May 28th, 2008

michelle.sundvick, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I can never get this global warming thing figured out. Oceans will rise and lakes will fall? Seems a little at odds. Rising oceans and higher temperatures should provide for more precipitation. Anyone have an explanation?

mrehling48154

at 06:54 on May 29th, 2008

Shorelines have been receding on all of the Great Lakes, and as such have also affected many of the inland lakes in Michigan and Ontario as well. Climate change has also resulted in changed patterns of migration for many waterfowl.

mrehling48154 has contributed a photo to this story.

Muvv

at 08:29 on May 29th, 2008

In my friend's cabin (Lake Huron) is a picture of his grandfather sitting on the seawall with his feet in the water. Now there is a good 25 feet of sand between the seawall and the water. 20 years ago people in Tawas Michigan had to worry about the lake washing over US 23 during storms. Now there are small islands forming near the shore.

There was a boardwalk build at the end of a local road that was meant to project into the lake. By the time it was finished the lake was literally over 100 yards away. In bay areas such as Saginaw Bay the effects are dramatic due to the already shallow(er) waters. Something needs to be don soon. Whether it is climate change or overuse I can't say, but the lakes and their inhabitants (both human and animal) are suffering.

dunrie

at 08:39 on May 29th, 2008

The great lakes are such beautiful and bountiful resources. Beyond water loss, another thing I'm seeing happening over my lifetime is that nutrient inputs are greening them up....

dunrie has contributed a photo to this story.

Canucked

at 10:04 on May 29th, 2008

Awenda on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron
A good place to go camping!!!!!!

http://www.ontarioparks.com/english/awen.html

Canucked has contributed a photo to this story.

V-Sam

at 11:52 on May 29th, 2008

Lake Huron, Georgian Bay. (Photo: www.phototravelpages.com)
Great Lakes are the jewel of the North America and more efforts need to be directed towards preserving them.

V-Sam has contributed a photo to this story.

jdcow40

at 12:35 on May 29th, 2008

Great Sunset in Lorain Ohio,with the Sun setting on Lake Erie. This is the Breakwater Harbor on a cool night in May. The Photo was shot from Mile Long Pier.

jdcow40 has contributed a photo to this story.

hkloveslife

at 12:49 on May 29th, 2008

Presque Isle, part of Lake Erie in Erie, Pa. has been an neverending source of pride to people in this region. All my life it has meant renewal and brought us closer to nature and the natural world. Cranberry bogs, wild blueberry, wild lupine and many amazing species of endangered flora and fauna inhabit this area. Presque Isle is part of the Atlantic Flyway, a key migratory route. The Bald Eagle has returned after being absent for almost fifty years. There are many, many reasons to preserve the Great Lakes. For me it is to pass this love of nature and sense of awe to future generations to enjoy and cultivate. Please help stop global warming in any way you can. Start now, every little bit does help and yes, one person can make a difference.

hkloveslife has contributed a photo to this story.

Chloe Clay

at 13:15 on May 29th, 2008

My family and I spent Memorial Day weekend on Ontario Lake. Absolutely gorgeous. The most amazing sunsets too. Here I just missed the sun going down.

Chloe Clay has contributed a photo to this story.

Izzi

at 14:49 on May 29th, 2008

Osprey and Great Blue Heron circling over food in the McLaren Marsh off of Sturgeon Lake in Ken Reid Conservation Area. See original here

Izzi has contributed a photo to this story.

modezero

at 15:57 on May 29th, 2008

It was cold and there mist over the water - we were fishing :P

modezero has contributed a photo to this story.

mcbeth67

at 17:36 on May 29th, 2008

Lakeside, OH- looking west to East Harbor State Park.

mcbeth67 has contributed a photo to this story.

mcbeth67

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 17:39 on May 29th, 2008

michelle.sundvick, I like this story. It's good stuff. Glad to contribute my photo.

silvercloud 1

at 17:56 on May 29th, 2008

I took this two summers ago of lake huron and the niagra escarpment..... having grown up in michigan , i always feel blessed to be surrounded by so much beauty.....i wasn't thinking of global warming.....just recording a gorgeous moment......

silvercloud 1 has contributed a photo to this story.

davetabor

at 18:26 on May 29th, 2008

raw timelapse footage of steam/frozen water vapour on a -22 degree winter morning on lake ontario.

see more at www.flickr.com/photos/nicesmooth

davetabor has contributed a photo to this story.

player_pleasure

at 20:14 on May 29th, 2008

The William G. Mather is docked on Lake Erie just off the East 9th Street pier in Cleveland Ohio. It's open to tourists during the warm weather months. Other area attractions include the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame.

player_pleasure has contributed a photo to this story.

liz.g.f.

at 20:26 on May 29th, 2008

Photo of Lake Michigan, shot from the Sears Tower Skydeck in Chicago, Illinois.

liz.g.f. has contributed a photo to this story.

rhodora15

at 09:26 on May 30th, 2008

This photo was taken from a ferry on Lake Huron departing Mackinaw City and heading towards Mackinac Island in June 2007. The Iroquois Hotel is in the foreground.

rhodora15 has contributed a photo to this story.

catecuerden

at 10:15 on May 30th, 2008

catecuerden has contributed a photo to this story.

Roberto Alvarez-Galloso

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 10:21 on May 30th, 2008

michelle.sundvick, I like this story. It's good stuff.

sgilsdorf

at 11:54 on May 30th, 2008

Photo taken at Presque Isle a state park in PA, beautiful place.

My experience with the Great Lakes and Michigan inland lakes, shows expanded beach area and lower waterlines...maybe we should be checking the water bottles...

sgilsdorf has contributed a photo to this story.

mlkirchgessner

at 14:19 on May 30th, 2008

i feel the chill of the coming ice age

Halfoto

at 17:34 on May 30th, 2008

Lake Huron is very beautiful; it is a shame that global warming is draining water from the lake. It is time for us all to do something to stop this.

Halfoto has contributed a photo to this story.

sab2000sab

at 08:54 on May 31st, 2008

My family and I love the Michigan waters. They ARE Michigan. We all need to take responsibility and take care of this beautiful state and water... for our own good as well as our future generations.

sab2000sab has contributed a photo to this story.

justhope

at 14:51 on May 31st, 2008

I hope I am never denied the beauty of this place. Lake Erie has supplied countless hours of peace and reflection for me outside of the chaos of life. I hope we all can do what we can to save her.
Thanks for letting me share this.

justhope has contributed a photo to this story.