Comparing The Great Lakes: Lake Huron And Lake Michigan

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Amanda Callahan Mr. Saenz AP Environmental Science 19 February 2013 Summary This article explains how two of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan, are well below average water level. They have been recorded to be 10 to 16 inches under their average height of water. The other lakes are recorded to be low as well but not as extreme as Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. These lakes have been coming up below average since the 1990s so scientists saw this coming but over the last year, they drastically became very low. The problem with this is that cargo ships travel on these lakes. Because the water levels are low, the cargo ships have to take smaller packages and make more trips, leaving the ports crowded and unorganized. This costs…show more content…
The great lakes are a way of transportation for people as well as products carried on cargo ships. Now cargo ships have to make more trips than would be necessary if the water levels were higher. This cost a lot more money that could go to other important issues. I understand that the water levels are lower because of evaporation. However scientists have seen this coming since the 1990s. That is enough time to bring more awareness to it and to start funding. With money raised, we could built dams to conserve the water. Another factor that cannot be controlled is the amount of precipitation. We cannot make it rain more over the Great Lakes, but we can conserve more. And about the issue of the vegetation off the shores of hotels, many tourists and residents are complaining because they miss the sandy beaches. I don’t care if they miss it. That is living plants that are good for the ocean to bring nutrients. If these people miss the sandy beaches they should go to another beach. You cannot control where the vegetation grows. I think Congress should announce this and start funding for dams to conserve the water in these lakes. Cargo ships are wasting money by having to make more trips and this really is unfortunate but it is what is necessary at this time. It is a lot safer anyways. This is what I believe should happen involving the Great Lakes decrease in water level. John Flesher / AP file In this Nov. 16, 2012 photo,…show more content…
Clair River, most recently in the 1960s. Dredging of the river, which is on the south end of Lake Huron, accelerated the flow of water southward from the two lakes toward Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean. Groups representing shoreline property owners, primarily in Lake Huron's Georgian Bay, have demanded action to slow the Lake Huron and Michigan outflow to make up for losses that resulted from dredging, which they contend are even greater than officials have acknowledged. Although the Army corps produced a list of water-slowing options in 1972, including miniature dams and sills that resemble speed bumps along the river bottom, nothing was done because the lakes were in a period of above-average levels that lasted nearly three decades, Kompoltowicz said. The corps has congressional authorization to take action but would need money for an updated study as a first step, he said. The Detroit office is considering a funding request, but it would have to compete with other projects nationwide and couldn't get into the budget before

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