Great Lakes water levels could increase on average from 19 to 44 centimeters in the next few decades, study says

New research into Great Lakes water levels looks farther into the future to predict how much climate change will increase lake levels in four of the five Great Lakes.

The predictions for the levels between now and 2050 show average increases from 2010-2019 levels of Lake Superior rising 19 centimeters (7.5 inches), Lake Erie 28 centimeters (11 inches) and lakes Michigan and Huron by 44 centimeters (17.3 inches).

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/06/great-lakes-water-levels-increase-next-few-decades/

Natasha Blakely

MSU researchers collecting data on Great Lakes shoreline

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Researchers at Michigan State University are collecting data on how Great Lakes shoreline, including how residents view coastlines and the impact of high water levels.

Assistant professor Erin Bunting said the goal is to empower local communities, which is important to the future of the lakeshores and future research.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/11/ap-msu-researchers-data-great-lakes-shoreline/

The Associated Press

‘The water always wins’: Calls to protect shorelines as volatile Lake Michigan inflicts heavy toll

This article, first posted here, was republished with permission from Wisconsin Watch.

By Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch

Mike Kahr, an engineer and owner of Death’s Door Marine, has watched Lake Michigan’s water levels fluctuate during his 40-plus year career. But even the veteran engineer hasn’t seen the lake’s water levels swing from low to high quite this rapidly.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/11/calls-protect-shorelines-lake-michigan/

Wisconsin Watch

‘The water always wins’: Calls to protect shorelines as volatile Lake Michigan inflicts heavy toll

This article, first posted here, was republished with permission from Wisconsin Watch.

By Mario Koran, Wisconsin Watch

Mike Kahr, an engineer and owner of Death’s Door Marine, has watched Lake Michigan’s water levels fluctuate during his 40-plus year career. But even the veteran engineer hasn’t seen the lake’s water levels swing from low to high quite this rapidly.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/11/calls-protect-shorelines-lake-michigan/

Wisconsin Watch

High waves wash out Chicago beaches as Lake Michigan reopens

CHICAGO (AP) — Beaches in Chicago were washed out by high waves Friday on the first day the city was to reopen Lake Michigan to swimming since summer 2019.

Waves reached up to 11 feet (3.35 meters) high, closing many of the beaches that had been set to open for the first time since Sept.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/06/ap-high-waves-chicago-beaches-lake-michigan/

The Associated Press

Great Lakes water surge eases after 2 record-setting years

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — A spell of dry, mild weather is giving the Great Lakes a break after two years of high water that has shattered records and heavily damaged shoreline roads and homes, officials said Monday.

Although still above normal, the lakes have dropped steadily since last fall and are expected to remain below 2020 levels for most of this year, according to a U.S.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/ap-great-lakes-water-surge-eases/

The Associated Press

Lake Levels: Expect higher than average lake levels but no new record

High water and erosion caused the beach stairs in Chikaming Township in southwest Michigan to collapse.

Now, two years later, volunteers have rebuilt those stairs, marking renewed access to some of the township’s most cherished assets – its public beaches – after high water in Lake Michigan rendered them unusable.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/05/higher-than-average-lake-levels-but-no-new-record/

Andrew Blok

The Great Lakes region should expect shorter winters, according to a long-term deep water temperature study of Lake Michigan by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.

The post Rising deep Lake Michigan temperatures may portend shorter winters first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/04/09/rising-deep-lake-michigan-temperatures-may-portend-shorter-winters/

Guest Contributor

In flooded Michigan neighborhoods, who should pay for sea walls?

For two straight summers, residents of Detroit’s Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood watched water pour into basements and pool in streets, a result of coastal flooding that will become increasingly common throughout the Great Lakes as climate change progresses.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/03/climate-change-flooded-michigan-neighborhoods-pay-sea-walls/

Bridge Michigan

More than an expected 100 water managers and researchers will gather virtually March 3 and 4 for the annual American Water Resources Association Wisconsin Section meeting to discuss and strategize regarding water challenges and opportunities. Adam Bechle, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s coastal engineer, will deliver a plenary talk.

Wisconsin has a wealth of water—1.2 quadrillion gallons of groundwater; lakes Michigan and Superior; the Mississippi, Wisconsin and St. Croix rivers; more than 5 million acres of wetlands; and more than 15,000 lakes—yet all that volume does not guarantee it’s without challenges and opportunities. That is especially true when balancing agriculture, the environment and public health.

The meeting will feature 80 presentations by researchers from the state’s University System schools, non-governmental agencies, water-related businesses and federal and state agencies.

There will be two plenary sessions. Bechle’s talk will take place at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, March 4. He will explore the reasons behind record-high water levels on the Great Lakes and what the future may bring.

Lake Michigan’s high water levels have had an effect on natural and manmade structures.

At 8:40 a.m. Wednesday, March 3, two speakers will discuss tracking COVID-19 through wastewater as well as how viruses move through groundwater.

Anyone is welcome to attend and registration is here.

The meeting is sponsored by the Freshwater Collaborative of Wisconsin with additional conference support from the University of Wisconsin Water Resources Institute, Sea Grant’s sister organization. 

The post Sea Grant’s coastal engineer to discuss Great Lakes levels first appeared on Wisconsin Sea Grant.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/sea-grants-coastal-engineer-to-discuss-great-lakes-levels/

Moira Harrington

High Water Levels On Tap This Winter As November Marks The Start Of A New Water Year

For most people, the new year is still a month away. For hydrologists and climate scientists, the new year has already started. The water year begins in November, to account for when water enters a system and begins accumulating.

Data from the last water year indicated record-breaking levels in the Great Lakes, and this year looks to be much of the same.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/12/high-water-levels-water-year-wdet-watch-party/

GLN Editor

As Great Lakes pummel Michigan, beach towns rush to set development rules

By Kelly House, Bridge Michigan

The Great Lakes News Collaborative includes Bridge Michigan; Circle of Blue; Great Lakes Now at Detroit Public Television; and Michigan Radio, Michigan’s NPR News Leader; who work together to bring audiences news and information about the impact of climate change, pollution, and aging infrastructure on the Great Lakes and drinking water.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/11/great-lakes-pummel-michigan-beach-towns-development-rules/

Bridge Michigan

Review Underway: Will IJC’s efforts be enough for flooded shoreline municipalities?

The International Joint Commission has started an early review of its Lake Ontario water management plan, overseen by a board that includes some of its most ardent critics, in response to extensive flooding and outcry from the lake’s shoreline communities.

The IJC— the international body that regulates waterways between the United States and Canada — has received $1.5 million in funding from the U.S., with an additional $1.5 million in matched funds from Canada, for the expedited review of Plan 2014.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/07/review-underway-ijc-lake-ontario-flooded-shoreline/

Samantha Cantie

Face-to-face panels in Manitowoc, Somers and Mequon on Great Lakes water levels canceled; replaced by single online session

Due to concerns related to the spread of COVID-19, three face-to-face public information meetings about Great Lakes water levels have been canceled. These sessions were scheduled for Manitowoc (March 17), Somers (March 18) and Mequon (March 19).

The three in-person meetings have been replaced by a single online session, which will take place on Wednesday, March 18, from 6 to 8 p.m. People may attend this virtual session through Zoom at this web address: https://zoom.us/j/152994777

Additionally, a recording will be posted on Wisconsin Sea Grant’s YouTube channel after the events.

The online information session (like the in-person sessions that were canceled) will include experts from Wisconsin Sea Grant, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (See our earlier story about these sessions here.)

The issue is timely because Great Lakes water levels have been at or near record highs in recent months, prompting concern among many Wisconsin residents. The Zoom webinar will address what’s in store for Great Lakes water levels through spring and summer of this year.

Said Dr. Adam Bechle, a coastal engineering outreach specialist with Wisconsin Sea Grant who is helping organize the webinar, “It is unfortunate that we need to cancel the three face-to-face sessions, but it is the prudent choice given the COVID-19 situation and public health. We remain committed to sharing important information about Great Lakes water levels with the public, and the online webinar will allow us to do so. We encourage people to watch it live on March 18, or look for the recorded version later.”

Questions about the Great Lakes water levels webinar may be directed to Bechle at (608) 263-5133.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/in-person-sessions-on-great-lakes-water-levels-replaced-by-march-18-webinar/

Jennifer Smith

Great Lakes water levels have been at or near record highs in recent months, prompting concern among many Wisconsin residents.

Those interested in learning what’s in store for Great Lakes water levels through spring and summer 2020 are invited to attend one of three upcoming informational meetings in communities along Lake Michigan.

At each session, attendees will hear from experts from Wisconsin Sea Grant, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Weather Service and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. There will also be time for attendees to ask questions. Seating at all sessions is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The three sessions are:

Manitowoc: Tuesday, March 17, 6 to 8 p.m.
UW-Green Bay, Manitowoc Campus
University Theater
705 Viebahn St.
Manitowoc, WI 54420

Somers/Kenosha: Wednesday, March 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
UW-Parkside
Student Center Cinema
900 Wood Rd.
Somers, WI 53133

Mequon: Thursday, March 19, 6 to 8 p.m.
MATC Mequon Campus
Lecture Hall, Room A289
5555 W. Highland Rd.
Mequon, WI 53092

Dr. Adam Bechle, a coastal engineering outreach specialist with Wisconsin Sea Grant, will speak at all three panels. Said Bechle, “We have worked with federal, state and local partners to host a couple of these meetings in the past few months, and they have been quite well attended. With Great Lakes water levels already breaking records this year, demand for information continues to grow. These meetings will help folks understand the current water level situation, as well as possible steps forward to address the impacts of these high water levels.”

Those who are unable to attend the events in person may attend virtually through Zoom.

Additionally, a recording will be posted on Wisconsin Sea Grant’s YouTube channel after the events.

View or print an event flyer here.

View or print a list of resources for Great Lakes property owners here.

Questions about the events may be directed to Bechle at (608) 263-5133.

Original Article

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

News Releases – Wisconsin Sea Grant

https://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/news/experts-host-additional-panels-about-great-lakes-water-levels-and-their-impact/

Jennifer Smith