Ruh roh - lake Superior shrinketh

[flying rabbit]

http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/240907

"Something seems amiss with mighty Superior, the deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes, which together hold nearly 20 per cent of the world's fresh surface water."


"Its average temperature has surged about 4.5 degrees Farenheit since 1979, significantly above the 2.7-degree rise in the region's air temperature during the same period. That's no small deal for a freshwater sea that was created from glacial melt as the Ice Age ended and remains chilly in all seasons."


"Water levels also have receded on the other Great Lakes since the late 1990s. But the suddenness and severity of Superior's changes worry many in the region; it has plunged more than 30 centimetres in the past year. Shorelines are dozens of metres wider than usual, giving sunbathers wider beaches but also exposing mucky bottomlands and rotting vegetation."

[bbgrunt]

1. Of course my first reaction was that someone was stealing

the water--and that may still be happening despite official denials, but it is truly distressing whatever the cause. However, I remember that not so long ago (1980's) at least lake Michigan water levels were rising so much that there was considerable shoreline erosion, loss of beaches and houses. They didn't have an adequate explanation for it back then either. I seem to recall explanations about long term variations being quite common.

One thing is sure, there are a lot of thirsty interests out there who would love to tap the lakes for water--

[SmokingJacket]

3. I think we'll find that water is being sold, by municipalities or

or coporations that agreements with municipalities.

We're certainly getting enough rain...

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

2. A local in the article has a theory

snip
Puffing on a pipe in a Grand Marais pub, retiree Ted Sietsema voices the suspicion held by many in the villages along Superior's southern shoreline: Someone is taking the water. The government is diverting it to places with more people and political influence – along Lakes Huron and Michigan and even the Sun Belt, via the Mississippi River.

"Don't give me that global warming stuff," Sietsema says. ``That water is going west. That big aquifer out there is empty but they can still water the desert. It's got to be coming from somewhere."

end snip.

The Lake does seem warmer to me, It sure is shallower. I could get into the lake up to my waist in mid July. Usually can't do that till mid August. And the exposed beach area is rusty dirt mixed in with the rocks and sand. Got some good Agates thou!

[yardwork]

4. I used to spend summers in Grand Marais.

[knitter4democracy]

10. There's something to that.

Our House Rep, Walberg, wants to sell it off and drill for oil--he's gone on record with both of those. Jerk.

What about the bottling operation up north by Lake Michigan, too? Lots of people are against that. Yeah, evaporation is a lot of it (been beastly hot and dry this summer), but they got more rain up north this summer than we have in B.C. It shouldn't be that bad.

[Fierce]

5. I'm tired of this "Someone's stealing the water!" B.S.

It's evaporating, there isn't enough snowmelt and rain to replenish it. I think we'd notice if someone were stealing the water.

[flying rabbit]

7. Draw your own conclusions

I don't know enough about the area to make an assessment one way or the other.

[Fierce]

8. I live on Superior.

There's been some talk about someone stealing the water, but no one's able to answer "who" or "how." It's verifiable, however, that the watershed has had much less rain and snowmelt lately, and that warmer winters that don't freeze the lake make it vulnerable to evaporation year round. It's not rocket science.

[flying rabbit]

13. Either way it's not good.

I didn't post to champion the stealing water angle. Logistically it would be impressive to steal that much water. It just bears watching to see where this goes.

[Fierce]

14. Yeah, reading through I see that

I should have directed my ire elsewhere.

[flying rabbit]

17. Peace.

:hi:

[Fierce]

18. And to you.

:)

[yardwork]

20. Yes, I think that the important point is that it's not there anymore.

There is less water in Lake Superior than before, and it's warmer. This is not good. This requires follow-up.

The folks down in DC are right on it. Right. on. it.

[TechBear_Seattle]

6. Superior is going the way of the Aral Sea

In 1964:



In 1984:



In 2005, before and after construction of the Kol-Aral Dam

[flying rabbit]

21. Only forty two years

The times they are a changin'

[BlooInBloo]

9. Have to rename it Lake Inferior.

[OnceUponTimeOnTheNet]

11. Blasphemy!

[Rosemary2205]

15. LOL

Yes blasphemy but funny none the less. :)

[flying rabbit]

16. Maybe lake Superish.

[BlooInBloo]

19. Lake NotSoBad? lolol!

[mzteris]

12. No so "Superior" any more, are we?

ok - I know it's not really funny, but - I just couldn't help myself!

[Botany]

22. I loves me some Lake Superior

[Theduckno2]

23. Lake Superior provides an important line of defense against Canadians

and their dreaded universal health-care!

Seriously though, Great Lakes shipping suffers with reduced tonnage due to lower water levels. More frequent and deeper dredging can get very expensive in order to keep harbors fully functional.