The Ice Season of Lake Michigan
Like many locations in the northern states, Lake Michigan is particularly susceptible to the cold and lasting effects of winter. The winter season can be harsh and relentless along the entire shoreline of the lake, brings vast amounts of ice that make the lake impassable by boat. But how frozen is Lake Michigan right now?
As winter begins its gradual descent into spring, most of the snow-cap slowly melts away, giving way to warmer temperatures throughout the region. The ice that caps the lake’s surface gradually thins out, making it more and more accessible as the season transitions. At the start of the freeze up, the lake will be surrounded by a mix of snow, ice, and open water. This can be a dangerous and unpredictable environment, since the lake has not yet completely frozen and no one knows what lies beneath.
Edward Pigeon, a researcher from the University of Michigan’s Water Science Laboratory, studies the effects of winter on the lake’s ice. “The frozenness of Lake Michigan can be compared to a pendulum,” Pigeon explains. “To the north of the lake, temperatures drop enough to create a solid sheet of ice covering the entire lake. To the south, thawing temperatures lead to slushy, partially frozen surface. It is in these areas that the ice should be respected and shorelines encountered with caution.”
The great lakes of the US are known for their big freeze-ups. In Lake Michigan, Pigeon notes, the ice season pattern is often one of rapid freeze-down in late December and January, followed by a slow thawing period spilling into March and April. Though the dates are often unpredictable, Lake Michigan freezes up in late fall—often before the end of the year—and usually melts back to normal by mid-March.
The frozenness of Lake Michigan can be a dangerous and unpredictable place, with the lake’s surface consistently shifting and changing. Drifting ice floes can present serious risks, along with strong and windy weather. Any visitor should take extreme caution and carry proper safety and survival gear. With proper respect and care, though, the lake can still be enjoyed throughout the ice season.
Societal Impacts
The freeze-up season is a major event for residents living around Lake Michigan, with drastically cooler temperatures and freezing winds altering everyday lives. For the most part, people living in the region take safety precautions, such as avoiding any activities that may put themselves or other people in a dangerous situation. For example, drivers often take the necessary steps to ensure that their cars are in good condition and fit for the icy road conditions that come with the colder months.
What’s more, Lake Michigan’s freeze-up season can present economic opportunities as well. This is particularly true for businesses that rely on recreational activities. As temperatures plunge, slick frozen rubble pile atop one another, smothering the lake’s surface in an infinite sheet of white, creating an enchanting landscape, that brings in tourists from all over the world. Restaurants, hotels, and other tourist attractions can benefit from the influx of customers, as well as those who come ice-fishing on the lake.
On the other hand, the freeze-up season can also cause problems for businesses, with prolonged wintry weather and extreme temperatures potentially wreaking havoc on operations. From lack of electric power and resources such as fuel and food to delays in shipments, businesses operating around Lake Michigan are not immune to the winter season’s abrupt changes.
Beyond economic struggles, the cold weather and sometimes dangerous ice can also create an unsafe environment, leading to increased accidents and a slew of other issues. When temperatures drop and freeze-up begins, the risk of slips, falls, and hypothermia rise dramatically. Therefore, it’s important for civilians and visitors to the area to remain cautious, bundle up accordingly and plan ahead if they are out on the lake.
Protecting Widespread Life
Another major factor to consider is the impact of the freezing season on the lake’s wildlife. Of course different species are equipped to handle different environments, and the lake’s fish and small organisms will all be affected in varying ways. The lake’s turquoise waters give way to a wide range of life, from rippling lake trout and carp to minnow-like fish and other organisms that frolic in its depths.
Experts agree that there are a number of valuable strategies for protecting these precious species and ensuring that their population is kept in its prime during the winter season. One suggestion is to take a conservative approach when harvesting fish, avoiding taking too much in a given area. The lake is already home to several commercial and recreational fisheries, which supply much of the local economy and create jobs for residents. Therefore, it is both economically and environmentally important to preserve the lake’s fish population, as well as its natural habitats.
Clearly, a great deal of both research and effort has gone into preserving Lake Michigan’s ecosystem, and many individuals and groups have made it their mission to ensure that the lake stays healthy, despite the freeze-up season.
The Frozen Texture of Lake Michigan
Apart from the dangerous aspects of walking on ice that covers an entire lake, often the texture of the ice is another variable element to take into consideration – is the ice soft and fluffy or hard and compact? “The texture of Lake Michigan’s ice is dependent on a number of variables”, said Vermont Marine research director, Barry Downey. “Moisture content, the length of time it has been frozen, the temperature of the air and the waves that lap against the shoreline all influence the strength and texture of the ice”.
The type of freezing process can yield different results as well. If freezing occurs quickly, the ice may become more brittle, and appear smoother and more transparent. In contrast, if freezing is slow and gradual, the ice may be crystalline and more opaque. It is important to consider the type of freezing process when biking, walking, or any other activity on the frozen lake.
For those looking to head out onto the lake, one of the most useful resources for understanding the state of the ice is the local ice chart. These charts are updated daily with surveying data from different points on the lake, giving an overall picture of the ice thickness, texture and safety. Although it is difficult to predict the future of a frozen lake, the ice chart is a helpful tool for keeping track of changing conditions.
Monitoring the Ice’s Effects on Lakeshore Ecosystems
During the ice season, the aquatic ecosystems along the lakeshore take a beating. The lakeshore’s shorelines are a crucial region for natural habitat, and the area has been heavily affected by the presence of the ice season in recent years. Several species of fish depend on these habitats, and they are especially vulnerable to predation from birds and mammals when unfrozen, allowing them to come in direct contact with the ice sheet.
Recent research conducted by the University of Michigan into aquatic ecology measurements of the area has revealed a sharp drop in fish populations during the winter. Nitrogen levels, which provide vital nutrients for the lake’s abundant algae and fish, reached levels much lower than over the summer and fall. As the lake’s temperature drops and the habitats of fish species become more isolated and vulnerable to threats, their numbers have declined.
The team of researchers have also observed a decrease in the lake’s biodiversity as the ice season approaches. Species such as plankton and small fish, which depend on the open water to feed, become increasingly hard to locate. Additionally, some plants that rely on these species in turn, such as lake-dwelling reptiles and amphibians, are beginning to suffer a decline in numbers.
Raising Awareness and Improving the State of the Lake’s Ice
Given the effects of the ice season on both the lake’s habitats and local businesses, it is important that the public be aware and take action. The general public can be an advocate of the lake, both actively and passively. Educating oneself on the lake’s conditions year-round and how they are affected by climate change is a great way to become a lake-steward. Additionally, informing local officials of any changes and advocating for the lake to receive proper value and care that it deserves can make a critical difference.
Also, joining programs or volunteering in initiatives that focus on preserving the lake’s delicate environment is one of the most powerful ways to make a difference. These activities can be as small as joining a trash pick-up program or as large as taking part in a research expedition. Anything that benefits the frozenness of Lake Michigan is appreciated and should be strongly considered.
Bringing Balance to Lake Michigan’s Ice Season
Climate change has impacted Lake Michigan’s freeze-up season deeply and it is impossible to predict how this will continue to change in the future. We need to be aware of the changes, their effects on local businesses, the wildlife and ecosystems, and the safety of the community. There is no one solution that will reverse the ice’s effects, but with the combination of individual action, public education and engagement, and research, we can build towards a better future for the lake.
Therefore, it is important to take into account all of the changes that come with the ice season, both good and bad – from the economic and recreational opportunities, to the dangers that it presents. With the right measures, Lake Michigan can remain a state of both beauty and danger – and continue to offer its residents and visitors the chance to enjoy its power and mystery.
