Erosion and the Great Lakes
Video images from the St. Clair River show that erosion is not causing water levels in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to drop. Members of the research team believe it is still too early to judge if erosion on the upper portion of the river is the leading cause, but signs point to no.
The underwater video was taken along a 30-mile stretch of the riverbed, which is covered with gravel, pebbles and stones up to 10 inches long. The rock layer seems stable, leading them to believe that the bed cannot be eroding.
On a preliminary basis they are finding that ongoing erosion does not appear to be a cause of low water levels in the Great Lakes. Scientists still contend drought and milder temperatures, which promote evaporation, caused the drop-off. Studies over the past two years had found that 80-90 percent of the lakes' current drop-off could be attributed to weather.
November 2, 2007 9:07 AM | Category: Great Lakes