The Scale and Extent of Ice on Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is the second-largest of the Great Lakes and the only one located entirely in the United States. While the lake is an important resource for the surrounding communities, visitors, and the wildlife they rely on, it is also subjected to serious changes in temperatures. In the winter and cool months, Lake Michigan can experience ice coverage that ranges anywhere from 30%-70%. This can have a drastic economic, recreational, and ecological impact which can affect the communities around the lake.
According to The Great Lake Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), the amount of ice on Lake Michigan in a given year is heavily dependent on a variety of factors.Primarily, these include, air temperatures, wind, humidity, nearshore structures, and the amount of snow or other precipitation. When the air temperature is below freezing and the water temperature is significantly colder than the air temperature, the lake can relatively quickly freeze. This is particularly true in shallow areas along the shoreline.
The thickness of the ice can also vary greatly from year to year and from area to area. ice thickness can range from 6 inches to even several feet.The amount and thickness of the ice can cause significant ecological impacts. For example, when the ice coverage reaches 70%, the life cycles of various fish species such as lake trout, lake whitefish, and ciscoes can be severely impacted due to the decreased accessibility.
Impacts on Tourism
The lake’s ice can also have a significant effect on recreational activities such as fishing and boating. Even a small amount of ice can be dangerous, making navigation of boats difficult if not impossible. This means that activities such as fishing and boating can be disrupted during the winter and icy months. Additionally, shore-based activities such as ice fishing can be dangerous in areas with thick ice coverage.
The tourism industry is also greatly impacted by the lake’s ice. As the lake’s ice coverage begins to increase, it is harder and less appealing for people to visit the lake for fishing and other activities. This can be extremely detrimental for small business owners and communities that rely on tourism for much of their income. The decrease in tourism due to the lake’s ice also leads to a general decrease in revenue for the surrounding communities.
In addition to effects on tourism, the lake’s ice can also impact the transportation industry, most notably automobile and freight transportation. Ferries, which allow safe passage between the United States and Canada, must be idled when they start to get too icy and dangerous. The loss of ferry services can impact communities in a variety of ways, including a decrease in the economy, access to goods and services, and more.
The Effects of Climate Change
Climate change is also a major factor in the lake’s ice coverage. While the lake’s ice coverage is heavily dependent on a variety of natural factors, the long-term effects of climate change are becoming increasingly clear. As the global climate continues to warm, the lake’s ice coverage will also decrease. This can lead to a variety of economic and ecological changes as the lake’s ice becomes more and more unpredictable.
The decrease in lake ice can also have an impact on the species that rely on the lake for their habitat. For example, some fish species rely on the lake’s ice coverage to survive the winter. Without the protective blanket of ice the fish can suffer from cold-stun, which can lead to a decrease in the population.
X-rays have also found that when the lake’s ice coverage decreases, the number of invaders into the lake increase. This can lead to drastic changes in the wildlife’s habitat, including the introduction of invasive species, which can also put a strain on the local ecosystem.
Solutions for Ice Coverage
Various organizations and agencies have undertaken studies to devise solutions to the decreased ice coverage. These solutions focus on the effects of climate change and the long-term effects of the lake’s ice coverage on the local environment and economy. One potential solution is to create coastal and nearshore aquatic habitats for fish species, which can help mitigate the negative impacts of the lake’s ice coverage.
Additionally, various organizations are looking into ways to reduce the effects of climate change on the lake’s ice coverage. By reducing carbon emissions, minimizing shoreline and within-lake development, and increasing public education, the effects of climate change can be minimized. By taking these steps, organizations hope to ensure that the lake’s ice coverage remains stable and that its effects can be managed.
Educating the Public
Organizations are also looking into ways to increase public education and awareness regarding the lake’s ice coverage. By increasing public understanding of the lake’s ice coverage, people will be better informed about the potential impacts it can have on the local environment and economy. Education initiatives about the lake’s ice coverage can also help to develop strategies to mitigate the effects and help to increase sustainability.
Organizations such as The Great Lakes Commission are also working to ensure that the public is better informed. These organizations create public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives that focus on the lake’s ice coverage. By increasing public awareness, individuals can make better decisions regarding their impact on the lake and can have a better understanding of how their actions can affect the lake’s ice coverage.
Conclusion of the Situation Now
Currently, the lake’s ice coverage is an important factor that can have significant impacts on the lake’s environment and economy. The lake’s ice coverage is heavily dependent on a variety of natural factors, most notably its proximity to the shoreline and the conditions of the local climate. Additionally, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly clear and can have a drastic effect on the lake’s ice coverage.
Organizations are working to devise solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the impact that the lake’s ice coverage has on the local environment and economy. Public education and awareness have been identified as key components in mitigating the consequences of the lake’s ice coverage. By increasing public education and understanding, individuals can make more informed decisions and help to ensure that the lake’s ice coverage remains stable.
