tim
2012-12-27 20:24:29 UTC
Low Lake Levels Bring Widespread Impact
December 27, 2012
By Al Parker
Low Lake Levels Bring Widespread Impact
Think lake water levels are low? That's an understatement.
As of December 18, Lake Michigan water levels virtually matched a record low
set back in 1964.
Andy Knott, executive director of The Watershed Center in Greilickville,
says the level was computed at 576.14 feet above sea level, just .02 higher
than the 48-year-old mark, bringing with it all sorts of ecological and
economic problems.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers measures Great Lakes water levels daily.
Mackinaw City is the closest reporting station to Traverse City.
"The water level of Lake Superior is 1 inch lower than its level of one year
ago, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 17 inches lower than its level from last
year," the Corps says in a December 14 report. "Lakes St. Clair, Erie and
Ontario are 21, 24 and 14 inches, respectively, than their levels of a year
ago."
And the Corps says levels will fall over the next month in all Great Lakes.
That's not good news for boaters, shoreline property owners and marina
owners. Some harbormasters are already warning sailboat owners they might
not be able to get their vessels into harbor.
It could also seriously impact the operation of the Maritime Heritage
Alliance, which operates the popular schooner Madeline, the sloop Welcome,
the cutter Champion and other vessels.
"The low water levels are a major problem if the level continues down,"
Maritime Heritage Alliance President Rod Jones tells The Ticker. "We had the
harbor dredged six or seven years ago to 10 feet. Madeline draws 8 feet,
Welcome 6.5 feet. Yesterday a friend dove into the harbor to see how much
water we had under Madeline and we found 9 to 10 inches under her."
"Dredging is an option, but it's very expensive." says Jones. "The last
dredging cost $30,000, not money we have on hand."
Last year the MHA installed a dock for the Champion, but if lake levels
continue to drop that dock will not have enough water to use.
One thing that will help the situation is precipitation, specifically system
snow (not lake effect snow). System snow brings moisture from other parts of
the country or Canada, while lake effect snow draws its moisture from the
Great Lakes, worsening the problem. Having the lakes freeze over would also
help, as it reduces evaporation.
But Great Lakes water levels have been declining for more than a decade,
according to Knott.
"Water levels fluctuate because of weather and weather systems," he
explains. "Low levels affect near shore habitat, but fluctuating water
levels are natural.That's nature and the eco-system adapts. It's a long-term
thing."
While low levels are a problem for many, some folks are expected to benefit
from the situation, including divers who explore for sunken vessels and dock
and boat hoist installers who could get a boost in business.
December 27, 2012
By Al Parker
Low Lake Levels Bring Widespread Impact
Think lake water levels are low? That's an understatement.
As of December 18, Lake Michigan water levels virtually matched a record low
set back in 1964.
Andy Knott, executive director of The Watershed Center in Greilickville,
says the level was computed at 576.14 feet above sea level, just .02 higher
than the 48-year-old mark, bringing with it all sorts of ecological and
economic problems.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers measures Great Lakes water levels daily.
Mackinaw City is the closest reporting station to Traverse City.
"The water level of Lake Superior is 1 inch lower than its level of one year
ago, while Lake Michigan-Huron is 17 inches lower than its level from last
year," the Corps says in a December 14 report. "Lakes St. Clair, Erie and
Ontario are 21, 24 and 14 inches, respectively, than their levels of a year
ago."
And the Corps says levels will fall over the next month in all Great Lakes.
That's not good news for boaters, shoreline property owners and marina
owners. Some harbormasters are already warning sailboat owners they might
not be able to get their vessels into harbor.
It could also seriously impact the operation of the Maritime Heritage
Alliance, which operates the popular schooner Madeline, the sloop Welcome,
the cutter Champion and other vessels.
"The low water levels are a major problem if the level continues down,"
Maritime Heritage Alliance President Rod Jones tells The Ticker. "We had the
harbor dredged six or seven years ago to 10 feet. Madeline draws 8 feet,
Welcome 6.5 feet. Yesterday a friend dove into the harbor to see how much
water we had under Madeline and we found 9 to 10 inches under her."
"Dredging is an option, but it's very expensive." says Jones. "The last
dredging cost $30,000, not money we have on hand."
Last year the MHA installed a dock for the Champion, but if lake levels
continue to drop that dock will not have enough water to use.
One thing that will help the situation is precipitation, specifically system
snow (not lake effect snow). System snow brings moisture from other parts of
the country or Canada, while lake effect snow draws its moisture from the
Great Lakes, worsening the problem. Having the lakes freeze over would also
help, as it reduces evaporation.
But Great Lakes water levels have been declining for more than a decade,
according to Knott.
"Water levels fluctuate because of weather and weather systems," he
explains. "Low levels affect near shore habitat, but fluctuating water
levels are natural.That's nature and the eco-system adapts. It's a long-term
thing."
While low levels are a problem for many, some folks are expected to benefit
from the situation, including divers who explore for sunken vessels and dock
and boat hoist installers who could get a boost in business.