Water Responses

I believe that the lack of complete freeze during the winter and the resulting water evaporation in the St. Clair River has contributed to the lower levels.  And why is the river not freezing?  I believe that it can be attributed to the chemicals that have been spilled into the water.   I've talked to several Harsen's Island residents that used to walk to Algonac in the winter across the river. This was before the massive chemical plant activity in Sarnia.  So, along with the Toronto trash that is brought into Michigan each and every day, we can blame this one on the Canadians, too.  Submitted by Theresa

I remember in 1985 the lakes were at record high water levels everyone was screaming about beach erosion . Property owners were building break walls . sea walls  to keep  the waves from washing away their beachs. They were all wondering who to blame it on . Folks were worried that we   going to be flooded  all around the lakes. Where were we going to put all that water. We had a bunch of chicken littles then and we got them now. Mother Nature as a way of taking care of things. When the snows and rains come back and they will  folks will be wringing their hands about too much water.  What we need to do is git rid of the DNR.             Submitted by diver Ron 

In the thumb, Bad Axe has planted a 30" pipe in Port Austin harbor to send drinking water to Bad Axe (apparently theirs is contaminated with something).  In addition, there is a "bottling" plant in Port Austin (tip of the thumb) which, obviously, bottles and sells all over the country. The filtering system is 2nd to none-so pop companies are vying for a piece of the pie (may already have it).  How many more of these are sucking the life out of our Great Lakes?  A 30" intake is pretty awesomely big, operating 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week!  Next time you are in Port Austin, look at the building just west of the pier/harbor.   Can't miss it as it is horribly out of place!  Submitted by TMH

I believe that the water level has been allowed to flow out through a canal by the city of Chicago, people in "high" places say that it isn't so but I have a hard time believing that almost four feet of water could evaporate in a little over two years. I duck hunt the Saginaw Bay and find it very frustrating in not being able to get out and enjoy myself. I also know that the lake levels are cyclical but can it really be this extreme? Submitted by Scot. 

My neighbor in Mackinaw City who has lived there forever has seen the lake lower, and also concurs with the idea that it is leaving via a canal in Chicago. Submitted by diver Jim.

Without the winter cap of ice, we normally enjoy, the lakes are giving up tons of water through evaporation. This theory seems very possible, looking at the increased % of square miles that are exposed to these cold, dry months. Submitted by diver Greg.

The lower lake levels are actually a result of water temperature resulting in a higher evaporation.   This is further exacerbated by additional evaporation during the Winter months when the Lakes fail to completely freeze over which is also a result of higher water temperature.  Rainfall and surface runoff act to replace water lost to evaporation but the amount replaced is not nearly as important as the volume lost to
evaporation. Submitted by Diver Neil.

I feel that the government or some other state is draining water from our lakes and selling it to other states etc... for a profit.  Submitted by Lydia.

It's being sold to foreign Countries. They come in with their tankers and fill up and off to China. Some Big Wig has a Pocket full of MONEY and we are all Left High and Dry.  Submitted by Diver Kent.

In addition to the other comments, which appear to have some merit, I believe the last 3 or 4 winters have had less snow than normal. Come springtime, there is obviously less runoff for the lakes.  Submitted by diver Craig.

The water levels are reduced at this time. We can only hope that this is a natural occurrence.  Evaporation is steadfast and will allow decline. Snow and rain are the sorely needed elements to bring back respective levels. The other perspective is to keep informed as to who is next in line to receive a permit to walk away with our precious fresh water resource. The thought of bottled water companies tapping in to aquifers for profit from interstate commerce should not be allowed. Contact your local representative and work through them to let our elected officials know that our freshwater supply in not for sale!  Submitted by Chuck.

I have a cabin in Northern Wisconsin and we have not seen any decent rain fall there in years and the winters have been light with hardly any snow I think that's why the lakes are so low. I have spent many a day on the lake and I love it there it is a treasure and I would hate to see any harm to her.  Submitted by diver Tom.