After more than a decade of decline, water levels in Lakes Michigan and Huron reached historic lows in 2013, impacting the economy and ecology of the region. Water levels have risen following the recent cold winter, wet spring, and cool summer of 2014, underscoring the dynamic nature of the Great Lakes system. The question of what to do about these changing levels becomes increasingly complex as one considers relatively stable water levels on the lower Lakes Erie and Ontario, contentious debate over engineering options, uncertainty about climate change impacts, and the wide range of affected stakeholders.
Given this challenging context, the Integrated Assessment Center and Water Center at the Graham Sustainability Institute are proposing an Integrated Assessment on Great Lakes Water Levels. The purpose of the assessment is to develop information, tools, and partnerships to help decision makers address the challenges and opportunities posed by water level variability. With a focus on Lakes Michigan-Huron and Erie, including the Lake Huron to Lake Erie corridor, the assessment will identify and evaluate environmentally, politically, socially, and economically feasible adaptive actions and policy options.
Source: DEQ