Monday, February 08, 2010
The Summer Water Level Forecast
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The "Bath Tub" Hypothesis Is Corked Up
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Nine Inch Difference
In the spring, the IJC released a report indicating that dredging the St. Clair River had not contributed significantly to lower water levels in Lakes Huron and Michigan.
Not so fast says consulting firm Baird & Associates.
Via the DetFreePress: Report contradicts study on Great Lakes water drop
Not so fast says consulting firm Baird & Associates.
Via the DetFreePress: Report contradicts study on Great Lakes water drop
A new report says that a joint U.S.-Canadian study exploring lower water levels on Lakes Michigan and Huron has significantly underestimated the amount of water the lakes have lost due to erosion on the St. Clair River.
Labels: water levels
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Water Levels Update
The news is that the levels of the Great Lakes are up. See the Traverse City Record-Eagle: Great Lakes levels rebound
However, this is a demonstration of why statistics are kept - because short term observations can be deceiving. So, although water levels are rising in the upper Great Lakes, they are still below long term averages.
However, this is a demonstration of why statistics are kept - because short term observations can be deceiving. So, although water levels are rising in the upper Great Lakes, they are still below long term averages.
Labels: water levels
Friday, May 22, 2009
Higher Water
Friday, May 01, 2009
IJC Report On The St. Clair "Drain" Hypothesis
Via MLive: Study: Upper Great Lakes not losing extra water
Lakes Huron and Michigan are not losing an unnaturally high volume of water to Lake Erie, and there is no need to place barriers in the St. Clair River to stem the outflow as a Canadian group is demanding, says an engineering study released Friday...
..."Climate is the main driver of the lake level relationships between lakes over time," it says. "There has been a persistent decline in net total supply of water to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron over the past two decades that has resulted in declining lake levels and a change in the relationship to Lake Erie."
Labels: climate, water levels
Monday, April 06, 2009
Lake Level Links
MLive: Scientists: Less ice on Great Lakes during winter
TCCVB: The Lakes Are Rising Again (And that’s Good!)
The St. Marys River around Neebish Island is expected to be 7 to 8 inches above the low water datum in April.
TCCVB: The Lakes Are Rising Again (And that’s Good!)
The St. Marys River around Neebish Island is expected to be 7 to 8 inches above the low water datum in April.
Labels: water levels
Friday, January 16, 2009
A Brief Overview Of Lake Levels For The Last 16,000 Years
Great Lakes water level sensitive to climate change
...the last time lake levels fell dramatically - down to 20 meters below the basin overflow outlets - it was due to dry climate conditions."
That event, which occurred between 7900 and 7500 years ago in the early Holocene period, caused the lakes to become disconnected as their overflow rivers, including the Niagara River, ran dry.
Labels: history, water levels
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Examing The State Of The Lakes From the Canadian Leader
Via the CSMonitor: Great perils of the Great Lakes
Labels: ecology, economy, freighter, pollution, shipping, water levels
Friday, September 26, 2008
Upper Lakes May Not Be A Bathtub
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
September Water Levels
Via SaultStar - St. Mary's River bit lower this month: Upper Great Lakes remain below average
The St. Mary's River won't run quite as high this month, as the International Lake Superior Board of Control responds to August's Lake Superior water level decline.
Lake Superior, which normally rises by one centimetre in August, dropped by five centimetres last month.
Water supplies to the basins of Lake Superior and lakes Michigan-Huron were well below their long-term averages, said the board of control in its regular outflow update.
Labels: water levels
Friday, August 01, 2008
Where Does The Water Go?
Via The Sarnia Observer - Crop watering biggest drain on Great Lakes
A study by the U. S. Geological Survey shows the largest consumptive loss of water in the Great Lakes basin is due to irrigation of farm crops.
Labels: water levels
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Water Levels Continue To Go Up
As reported by the Bay City Times, Lake Huron is seven inches higher than last year at this time (All the rain is helping to raise water levels in Great Lakes after years of decline). And Lake Superior is 15 inches above July, 2007 levels, but is still four inches below the long-term July average (Weekly Great Lakes Water Level Update for July 18, 2008)
Labels: water levels
Friday, June 27, 2008
Lake Levels Higher But Still Below Long Term Average
SaultStar - Superior's water level higher
Lake Superior was four centimetres above chart datum level for May and is expected to rise this month. However, the lake remains 18 centimetres below its long-term average level.
Labels: water levels
Saturday, April 19, 2008
No Big Changes Seen For Water Levels
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Another Freighter Is Grounded
From the Grand Haven Tribune - Freighter runs aground at GH pier heads
A 620-foot freighter bound for Meekhof's dock on Harbor Island ran aground at the entrance to the Grand Haven harbor late Tuesday morning.
Labels: climate, freighter, water levels
Thursday, November 08, 2007
High Winds Force Freighters To Drop Anchor
Winds halt ships: Low water levels stop freighters in their tracks
Labels: freighter, water levels, weather
Friday, October 05, 2007
Lakes Huron and Michigan Predicted to Drop Another 10 Inches by January
The bad news continues - Great Lakes Losing 2.5 Billion Gallons Per Day Due to Manmade Drain Hole Near Detroit
Labels: water levels
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
It Has Happened - New Record Set
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Chicago Canal And Other Things
A rambling article from the Leelanau Enterprise - Chicago canal's impact still felt
Touches on water diversion via the Chicago River, water levels in the Great Lakes, and old freighters.
Touches on water diversion via the Chicago River, water levels in the Great Lakes, and old freighters.
Labels: water levels
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Lake Superior Projected To Reach Lowest Ever Recorded Water Level
NOAA Projects Lake Superior May Hit Record Low Levels This Fall
In related news from NOAA - The average global temperature for July was the seventh highest on record
The lake has been decreasing by a rate of 10 mm every year since 1978, and has dropped a dramatic two feet during the last decade. The Great Lakes region has been experiencing warmer winters since 1997, and the combination of warmer air temperatures and less ice cover leads to increased evaporation rates during the winter. Also, with less snow pack, there is less spring runoff to replenish the lakes.
In related news from NOAA - The average global temperature for July was the seventh highest on record
Labels: water levels, weather
Sunday, August 19, 2007
The Upper Great Lakes Drain
Muskegon Chronicle - Great Lakes 'drain pipe' lacks a plug
Over the past four decades, parts of the river channel have eroded from a depth of 27 feet to nearly 60 feet, according to recent studies.
Hmmm - is that a problem?
The Army Corps of Engineers was supposed to take measures to stop the St. Clair channel from eroding and causing this problem but didn't because water levels were rising when dredging was first done. But the International Joint Commission wants to take three or fours more years to study the problem even though adding material to slow the outflow could be done quickly and relatively easily.
Lakes Michigan and Huron have dropped by five feet since the 1980's.
Over the past four decades, parts of the river channel have eroded from a depth of 27 feet to nearly 60 feet, according to recent studies.
Hmmm - is that a problem?
The Army Corps of Engineers was supposed to take measures to stop the St. Clair channel from eroding and causing this problem but didn't because water levels were rising when dredging was first done. But the International Joint Commission wants to take three or fours more years to study the problem even though adding material to slow the outflow could be done quickly and relatively easily.
Lakes Michigan and Huron have dropped by five feet since the 1980's.
Labels: water levels
Friday, August 10, 2007
Growing Concern Over A Shrinking Lake Superior
Changing Lake Superior frustrates boaters, mystifies scientists
Are we losing Lake Superior?
Are we losing Lake Superior?
Labels: lake superior, water levels
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Low Water
The falling water level of Lake Superior is getting more and more media attention. Examples:
CBS News -
What's Happening To Lake Superior?
Jack Lessenbery - Less Great Lakes
New Scientist - Global warming is shrinking the Great Lakes
CBS News -
What's Happening To Lake Superior?
Jack Lessenbery - Less Great Lakes
New Scientist - Global warming is shrinking the Great Lakes
Labels: water levels
