Lake Huron hit its lowest water level on record in 2012.
Photo Credit: Mark R. Rummel/Associated Press

Activists denounce inaction on Great Lakes’ low water ‘crisis’

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Water is at a record low level on Lakes Michigan and Huron and the adjacent Georgian Bay in the heart of North America. Two conservation groups say a current international plan is insufficient for solving the low water ‘crises.’ The Great Lakes are governed by the International Joint Commission (IJC) set up by Canada and the United States.

The IJC recently canvassed public opinion and came up with a plan to improve the monitoring of climate change effects and management of water levels. Restore Our Water International and Sierra Club Canada say the plan does not include any distinct actions to remedy the record low water levels which have persisted over the last 14 years.

Climate change is part of the problem along with increased outflow on the St. Clair River, says Mary Muter, vice-chair of Restore Our Water International and chair of the Great Lakes section of Sierra Club Ontario. She says water levels on the other of the 5 Great Lakes have been carefully monitored and steps have been taken to ensure the water levels are stable. But on Lakes Michigan and Huron that is not the case.

Profound environmental and economic changes are the result, says Muter. Wetlands have disappeared leaving less habitat for fish to spawn in and many aquatic plants have simply died. In some areas there has been less dilution of fertilizer and other pollutants resulting in large algae blooms.

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This satellite image shows blue-green algae on Lake Erie in 2011, the worst year for algal blooms on record. © Courtesy Essex Region Conservation Authority

For two years waterfowl and fish have been washing up on the shores of Georgian Bay, including lake sturgeon 1-1.5 metres long and about 30 years old.

The water has receded to the point that shorelines have moved and water intake pipes are exposed. This is problematic for cottage owners who, on Georgian Bay alone, may face remedial costs estimated by mayors to be around $500 million.

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Remedial work will cost cities millions. © Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Municipalities would have to pay more to extend water intake and sewage output pipes and to manage changed shorelines. Marinas are dredging and boating has become difficult in some areas. Shipping vessels may be unable to load as much cargo if the water levels continue to decline.

“Now we’ve got a serious problem with erosion in the St. Clair River,” says Muter. “They (the IJC) identified erosion in their own $17-million study as a contributing factor here. And they simply should have taken the high road and said ‘it’s time now to address this problem.’”

Lakes Superior and Ontario have significant control structures and outflow control boards that monitor the outflow of water on an hourly basis and meet monthly to set discharge rates. “We have nothing like that,” says Muter. “That’s unacceptable.

“This is a mainly finite resource. We need to manage it responsibly.”

Categories: Economy, Environment & Animal Life, International
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