At a breathtakingly deep 1,302 feet, Lake Superior is the largest of the five Great Lakes of North America, and it stands as the deepest lake in the world by average depth. Not only is it well-loved by locals and tourists alike for its sheer size – covering an area of nearly 31,700 miles – but it is also known for its extraordinary depth, making it an impressive natural feature.
A few facts are important to remember when it comes to Lake Superior. At an average depth of almost 400 feet and maximum depth of 1,300 feet, Lake Superior is three times as deep as the second largest of the Great Lakes, Lake Huron. It was formed 10,000 years ago as the last of the five Great Lakes, located on the farthest northwestern edge of the Great Lakes region. Because of its size and deep depths, Lake Superior is ruled by powerful and unpredictable currents and waves that can reach up to 15 feet in height, making it dangerous to enter the lake in open boats.
In order to protect and preserve the lake, restricting access and regulating pollutant discharge are the two most effective methods of keeping the lake in its original pristine condition. Thus, the governments of the United States and Canada have made laws that ensure its protection and have enacted laws to guard against the dumping of dirty or toxic materials into Lake Superior.
On top of this, organizations like the International Joint Commission and The Great Lakes Commission have formed an agreement between the United States and Canada to help enrich the lake with marine resources. This has led to a variety of fish species, such as Lake Trout, Walleye and Perch, now taking residence in Lake Superior. Due to strong currents, shorelines around the lake may shift or be damaged due to severe storms. The lake has also experienced a decrease in oxygen levels, leaving certain areas unsuitable for life or wildlife. The primary cause of this is caused by an increase of pollutants from cities draining into the lake, including pesticides and fertilizers.
While the lake is known for its immense depths, a lesser-known fact is that most of the lake is still largely unexplored. The deepest areas of the lake are unknown to humans, leaving many questions regarding what lies beneath the vast depths of the lake. A group of researchers who have ventured into the lake have reported the presence of undersea volcanoes, geological formations and even shipwrecks that are undetectable from the surface. While the idea of unknown depths and mysterious shipwrecks is exciting, many scientists believe that the quality of the water is a more pressing issue that needs to be addressed.
Environmental Risks
Due to its size, many of the nearshore areas of Lake Superior are exposed to some form of pollution or runoff. This pollution proves to be a severe risk for the lake, as the runoff can contain high amounts of heavy metals, oils and tannins that may be transferred from industrial sites, urban areas and agricultural activities. When these pollutants become imbedded within the lake’s ecosystems, it can produce severe consequences for the lake’s overall health.
Industrialsites and factories pose a very large risk to the lake in terms of pollutants and runoff. This is largely because of their close proximity to the lake’s shorelines, creating a direct pathway for harmful chemicals to enter. In addition to factories, sewage and wastewater from cities can contribute to this problem by carrying excess amounts of oil, phosphorus, and nitrogen into Lake Superior. Control over these activities will be the best way to prevent these pollutants from entering the lake.
Furthermore, agricultural areas surrounding the lake shave been known to contribute to the runoff into Lake Superior. This occurs when runoff containing nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus come into contact with the lake. The runoff carries these compounds into the lake, leading to an increase in algae growth and other organisms that can lead to major water quality problems.
Organic Pollutants in Lake Superior
Organic pollutants are another major risk to the health of Lake Superior. These organic pollutants can come from sources that include sewage activities, industrial operations, crop fertilizers, and air pollution. Organic pollutants can come in the form of pharmaceuticals and chemicals that carry toxic compounds like mercury, arsenic, and other heavy metals.
One of the most serious pollutants entering Lake Superior comes from factory plants that use chlorine in the manufacturing process. The chlorine enters into the lake as a long-term environmental pollutant, which may result in permanent, irreparable environmental damage. Another pollutant entering Lake Superior is the disposal of animal waste in water entering the lake. This increases nutrients in the lake, leading to an increase of algae and other organisms.
The persistent presence of organic pollutants in Lake Superior has resulted in health problems for humans, fish, and other organisms. The chlorinated pollutants have been linked to respiratory issues and reproductive problems within aquatic life. Additionally, the increase in algae may lead to lower oxygen levels and poorer water quality.
Preserving Lake Superior
The large size and deep depths of the lake make it a difficult subject of protection both financially and environmentally. The strong currents, unpredictable waves, and pollution from nearby cities, factories and agricultural grounds contribute to the ongoing need for protection and preservation of the lake. As Lake Superior is a shared national and international resource with no restrictions on the water’s use, the responsibility of protection falls onto the governments of the United States and Canada.
The International Joint Commission made between the two countries in 1909 outlines the protection rule specifically for the Great Lakes. The Commission’s 1972 model agreement provides for a limitation of pollutants to protect the health of the lakes, and also established an International Great Lakes Plan that is primarily focused on restoring and preserving the Great Lakes. In addition, the agreement states that new construction of dams,dredging, and pollution-causing activities must be regulated and monitored to reduce or eliminate their impacts on the lake.
The Great Lakes Commission was formed in 1955, and is an international body dedicated to maintaining the lake by restoring, protecting, and managing its resources. The Commission is focused on a variety of initiatives that help to improve water quality, reduce the discharge of pollutants, restore native species, and clean up hazardous waste sites. These initiatives have proven to be effective in solving environmental and water quality issues, and have improved the health of the lake.
Public Programs
Additionally, there are a number of public programs in place to help protect Lake Superior and its surrounding areas. These programs provide education on conservation and preservation of the lake, have initiated measures to limit the amount of pollutants discharged into the lake, and have been actively involved in the recovery of wildlife species.
The Lake Superior Project, an organization based out of Duluth, Minnesota, has focused on educating local communities on the importance of conservation, as well as providing resources to help protect the lake. The organization hosts a number of events throughout the year that aim to help educate both local and international communities on how to help preserve the lake.
The Great Lakes Commission also maintains a Great Lakes Action Agenda, which sets goals for the restoration and preservation of the Great Lakes. This Action Agenda serves as a guide for the Commission’s efforts in helping protect the health of the lakes and reduce the amount of pollutants released into them.
In addition to these programs, there are a number of organizations dedicated to the research and protection of the lake. One such organization is The Lake Superior Research Institute, an organization that focuses on research and education related to Lake Superior and its surrounding areas.
Environmental Issues
Environmentalists continue to raise concern over the health of Lake Superior, due to the presence of pollutants and the degradation of its water quality caused by runoff. In addition to this, the introduction of non-native species in the lake has caused the displacement of native species, leading to a decline in the amount of fish and wildlife inhabiting the lake.
Over the years, Lake Superior has experienced a decline in its water quality due to the introduction of pollutants from urban areas and industry. This decline in water quality has brought about stinging and burning in bodies of water, and a decrease in the amount of recreational activities available.
In an effort to preserve the lake and improve water quality, many initiatives have been set in place to reduce the amount of pollutants and harmful chemicals entering the lake. These initiatives include the reintroduction of native species, the limiting of activities contributing to runoff, and the addition of protective thresholds set in place to limit the amount of pollutants entering the lake.
Conclusion
Lake Superior is an impressive and vast natural feature with depths that have astounded scientists and tourists alike. It is home to a vast number of wildlife species, an array of breathtaking views, and the potential to preserve the lake lies in the hands of the public. In order to protect Lake Superior, initiatives have been set in place that laws and regulations, public programs and organizations have pushed in order to reduce the amount of pollutants entering the lake. However, with the size and deep depths of the lake, a lot of potential for harm still lingers. The fate of the lake depends on how seriously the public takes efforts to protect it and fight against the decline in water quality.
