Lake Huron is one of the five Great Lakes of North America, and boasts the second largest of the five. With a surface area of 23,000 square miles, and a total volume of 850 cubic miles, it is among the largest and most magnificent of natural bodies of water. Within that vast expanse of water lies an equally impressive amount of water. That is to say, Lake Huron holds a total of 3.2 trillion gallons of water. That is more than any other Great Lake.
These impressive figures were calculated with the use of data gathered by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). According to the USGS, much of the water from Lake Huron is supplied through river inflow from the St. Clair, Detroit, Saginaw, and Ausable Rivers; and from other lakes, such as Lake St. Clair. Additionally, Lake Huron also gets some of its water from precipitation, runoff from land, and direct discharges from other sources, such as drainage from agricultural fields.
Not surprisingly, the high level of water in Lake Huron makes it an incredibly valuable source of freshwater. “Lake Huron’s abundance of freshwater makes it a lifeblood to many industries, and even cities and towns,” said Dr. Marie Johnson, a leading environmental scientist at the University of Michigan. “The water is used for fishing, boating, swimming, irrigation, and most importantly, drinking, and any drop in the water level could have a devastating effect,” she continued.
The Great Lakes serve as an important source of freshwater, and are home to many unique species of fish and wildlife. The large quantity of freshwater in Lake Huron is necessary for the maintenance and health of the lake’s ecosystem. As such, any danger to the lake’s water supply, whether it is from human or non-human disturbances, can have severe repercussions on the lake’s health.
Environmental groups often cite pollution, urban sprawl, and climate change as primary threats to Lake Huron’s water supply. For example, runoff from urban sprawl has been known to contaminate and decrease the quality of the lake’s water. Additionally, rising temperatures due to climate change can, over time, cause the water level to decrease. This is because warmer air temperatures cause water to evaporate faster.
To ensure the long-term health of Lake Huron and its water supply, there has been a growing effort in recent years to protect it from pollution and development. One such effort is the Lake Huron Watershed Initiative, which has been proposed in order to promote conservation of the lake’s natural resources and to reduce pollution. The initiative is supported by the governments of both the United States and Canada.
In the end, it is important to recognize the importance and magnitude of the 3.2 trillion gallons of water contained in Lake Huron. It provides freshwater to many and is a critical part of the lake’s ecosystem. In order to ensure that it remains a sustainable source of freshwater, continued action must be taken to protect the lake and its water supply.
Agriculture and Lake Huron
Agriculture plays an important role in the health of Lake Huron, as run-off from agricultural fields can impact the quality and abundance of water in the lake. Additionally, the lake serves as an essential source water for irrigation for much of North America.
The lake’s status as a source of irrigation is due in part to the fact that it receives substantial amounts of rain and snowmelt from the Great Lakes Watershed. The lake is also fed by rivers, runoff from land, and direct discharges from other sources, such as drainage from agricultural fields. In fact, the USGS notes that inflows from the St. Clair, Detroit, Saginaw, and Ausable Rivers make up the majority of the lake’s water supply.
The high level of water in Lake Huron means that farmers are able to access reliable irrigation, allowing them to maximize crop production. Additionally, the lake provides essential habitat for fish and other wildlife that rely on its freshwater resources, further extending its value to the agricultural community.
Unfortunately, the same practices that have enabled such increased levels of irrigative production can have damaging effects on the health and quality of the lake. The runoff of chemicals, including those used in agricultural processes, can contaminate the lake’s water and have dire consequences for the lake’s ecosystem. It is for this reason that agriculture must be closely regulated in order to ensure that it does not cause unwanted harm to Lake Huron’s water supply.
Environmental Efforts
Much work has been done in recent decades to protect Lake Huron’s water supply from the adverse effects of development, pollution, and climate change. Several regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, have been responsible for the enforcement of laws designed to protect the lake. Additionally, many non-profit and advocacy groups, such as the Huron River Watershed Council, have worked to educate individuals of the impact of their actions on the lake.
These environmental efforts have been critical to the conservation of Lake Huron and its water supply. The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, a binational treaty between the U.S. and Canada, is another example of an initiative meant to preserve and protect the lake’s water supply. This agreement is responsible for monitoring and preventing water pollution in the Great Lakes, including Lake Huron.
The efforts of the environmental community have no doubt been successful in protecting Lake Huron’s water supply. However, the long-term health of the lake’s water supply depends on continued efforts to protect it from pollution, climate change, and other threats.
Climate Change
Climate change is a growing threat to the health of Lake Huron and its water supply. Rising temperatures can cause water to evaporate faster, and in turn, can cause the water level to decrease. Additionally, climate change can intensify the effects of storms and other extreme weather, leading to increased erosion and runoff from land.
Furthermore, the increasing frequency of droughts over the past few decades can have serious consequences to the health of the lake’s water supply. According to the USGS, droughts lead to decreased water levels, which can have a direct impact on the lake’s fish and wildlife. Additionally, less rainfall means less water entering the lake, which can also have an impact on its overall water supply.
The effects of climate change on Lake Huron’s water supply are far-reaching and can cause significant damage to the lake’s ecosystem. In order to protect the lake from the adverse effects of climate change, proactive measures must be taken to both reduce emissions and to develop strategies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Dams
Dams are another factor that can have an impact on the water level of Lake Huron. Dams are structures that are built across rivers to control the rate of water flow, allowing for the prevention of flooding and the maintenance of water levels. Unfortunately, when not managed properly, dams can have adverse effects on both the water level and the ecosystem of Lake Huron.
The most significant threat from dams comes from upstream dams. Upstream dams can cause an increase in sediment concentration due to the reduced velocity of water flow in the river before it reaches the lake. Increased sediment concentration can cause an increase in the number of fish and algae blooms, thereby leading to the decreased health of the lake’s fish and wildlife.
Additionally, downstream dams can also cause issues, as changes in water levels upstream can cause fluctuations in the water levels downstream. In other words, for entities downstream of the dam, changes in water levels are difficult to regulate and can lead to shortages in the Local water supply.
Overall, dams can play an important role in regulating water levels in Lake Huron. However, it is important to note their potential to cause adverse effects. Thus, any construction, regulation, or maintenance of dams must be done with caution, and with the utmost regard for the safety of Lake Huron and its water supply.
