Lake Superior's low water level: Global warming? Or something else?

Question

I just read an article in a local news paper which stated that Lake Superior's current water level is two feet below normal levels. The article also stated that the lake is closest to to the lowest level ever recorded for the lake (1926 holds the lowest level recorded.)

Now the article did talked about what a low lake level could do the a certian part of the local economy, But it didn't get into the reasons why the level of Lake Superiors are so low and didn't really talk about if this trend of water level loss would continue or not.

So I would like to ask a couple of question that where not answered by the article. 1. What is the cause for the loss in water level? is it global warming or something else? 2. Do you think this trend will continue? 3. How far will this trend go (how much lake level loss for how long)? And 4. What kind of impact will that have on the local and national ecology?

Thanks to all that answer.

Answer 1

More water is being channelled off than channelled in.

Answer 2

I'm an ecologist who's done research on the Great Lakes.  As a scientist, I'm incapable of giving a straight, unambiguous answer  ;)

The lakes' levels are highly variable and unpredictable, being mainly driven by climate factors.  The recent lows are noteworthy, but not particularly remarkable when compared to past levels.  What is more noteworthy is that this low period has lasted for about eight years now.

Nobody can say exactly why the lakes are in a low period.  Lake-modeling studies a few years ago predicted that climate change will cause the lakes to go through more fluctuations, both up and down and more extreme, than before.  I haven't looked at more recent work to see if that is still expected.

And in response to the skeptic who answered before me - I think the above-mentioned modellers were pretty aware of the heat capacity of water when they made their calculations.

Answer 3

ONCE AGAIN....

Global Warming MEANS "World Wide Warming!" It is ONLY A Political Term = NOT based in Real Science!

The EARTH is covered by "Three Quarters WATER!" Basic Science, it takes ONE-Btu to raise One Cubic Centimeter ONE Degree Centigrade!

HOW many "Gazillion Cubic Centimeters are there ONLY on the Surface of Planet Earth COVERED by 3/4 Water?"

HOW many Btu's would it take TO RAISE THE SURFACE TEMPERATURE ONE DEGREE?

DO THE MATH!

And, were are the Million TEMPERATURE MEASURING SITES on the Many Oceans THAT TELL US THAT THE OCEAN TEMPERATURES ARE RISING? Not!

Oh yes, POLAR temperatures have varied LESS Than one degree in the past 100-Years. Noticed I said VARIED, = NOT RISEN!

Thanks, RR

Answer 4

I live on Lake St. Clair (a small lake between Lake Huron and Lake Erie.)  I have watched the lake levels all around drop over the years, and for some reason, no one has an answer.  There was talk awhile back about selling some of our fresh water to other states and countries, but haven't heard more since the uproar over that.  It's about making money for a few, I'm sure.  Good Question.  I'm looking further into this right now...............

Consider this - why are required to pay for high-priced flood insurance (required by FEMA aka US Government) when our lake levels are at the lowest they have ever been????$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$...