Background
Lake Superior is the largest of the Great Lakes, located on the border of the United States and Canada. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world, encompassing 82,103 square kilometers. The lake’s waters contain almost 3 quadrillion liters of freshwater, and its average depth is 147 meters. Contributing to its impressive size, the lake is known for its vast deposits of ice in the winter. Every winter, several inches of ice builds on the lake’s surface, covering large sections and creating pathways for activities such as cross-country skiing and snowmobile riding. With the changing climate, there is some speculation about the amount of ice on Lake Superior.
Relevant Data
Ice cover levels on Lake Superior vary from year to year, but the lake generally averages between 35-50 percent ice cover annually. According to the Canadian Ice Service, the lake has averaged about 40.4 percent ice coverage in the last decade. In 2019, the maximum ice coverage was 81.1 percent, and the minimum coverage was 7.0 percent. The average coverage from 2019-2020 was 32.6 percent. During the record cold winters of 2013-2014, ice coverage peaked at 93.6 percent.
The historic low for Lake Superior is 5.1 percent, which occurred during the unusually mild winters of 1992-1993 and 2017-2018. These two decades had the lowest average coverage on the lake since record-keeping began in 1973. The average coverage then increased steadily until 2019, when the average coverage was 32.6 percent.
Expert Opinions
Experts have different opinions on the amount of ice on Lake Superior. Some argue that the lack of ice reflects a broader trend in climate change, while others attribute it to natural cycles. In general, the ice cover on the lake is expected to decrease over time as winters become milder and longer.
John Lynam, a climate scientist at the University of Wisconsin, believes that Lake Superior’s ice cover is a reflection of a changing climate. He says that “actual air temperatures are increasing and Lake Superior has warmed faster than other Great Lakes. There’s more open water leading to less ice cover.”
On the other hand, Francis Wiese, a climatologist at the University of Minnesota, believes that the change in ice coverage is due to natural changes in the lake’s environment. He notes that weather, including high winds and temperature shifts, has a significant impact on the amount of ice coverage. He says, “The lake has a natural cycle of ice melt, which can be disrupted by weather events.”
Analysis
The rise and fall of the amount of ice on Lake Superior depends heavily on the weather conditions during the winter months. Mild winters with high winds and temperatures can lead to less ice coverage, while cold winters with little wind can lead to a rise in the amount of ice on the lake. Although experts have different opinions on the amount of ice, they agree that climate change is likely a major factor in the changes we are seeing.
Overall, it seems that the amount of ice on Lake Superior is on the decline, and experts agree that this decrease is likely to continue as the climate continues to warm. As a result, Lake Superior has the potential to become ice-free in the future, leading to new risks and opportunities for the surrounding communities.
Impact On Lake Superior Ecosystem
Lake Superior is home to a wide variety of species, from fish to birds and mammals. As ice coverage on the lake decreases, the effects on these species can be profound. Decreasing ice coverage means that the lake’s temperatures become more extreme, leading to altered aquatic habitats and a potential decrease in some species populations.
Decreasing ice cover is also concerning for the health of certain species, such as the lake trout. These fish are adapted to cold temperatures and rely on ice cover to survive the winter months. As the ice cover decreases, lake trout could become more susceptible to winter fatalities.
The effect of ice cover on migratory birds is also important, as open water during the winter can be an important source of food for birds. With decreasing ice cover on the lake, birds may have to migrate earlier to find their food, leading to a decrease in their populations.
Economic Implications
The decrease in ice coverage on Lake Superior has implications for the local and regional economy as well. In the winter, shops and restaurants near the lake rely heavily on ice-related tourism for survival. Unfortunately, with the declining ice coverage, there are fewer opportunities for recreation and the number of visitors to the region is decreasing.
The decrease in ice coverage also impacts the amount of cargo that can be shipped on the lake. Limited ice coverage means that ice-breaking ships cannot traverse the lake, and as a result, cargo shipping is becoming more expensive and difficult.
Finally, Lake Superior’s fishing industry is becoming increasingly limited with decreasing ice coverage. Low ice levels can limit the number of fish that can be harvested due to changes in habitats and water temperature. This can be disastrous for fishing businesses and lake communities, who rely heavily on Lake Superior for their livelihood.
Conservation Efforts
With the decrease in ice coverage on Lake Superior, conservation efforts are becoming more and more important. These efforts range from advocating for policy changes to protecting the lake’s shorelines from pollution.
Advocacy groups have been working to raise awareness of the problem and push for policy changes that can help protect Lake Superior and its ice coverage. Grassroots organizations have also been pushing for changes in the way we consume energy, as fossil fuels are a major contributor to climate change.
Protection of the lake’s shorelines is also an important part of conservation efforts. Pollution from coastal areas can lead to changes in the lake’s water level, affecting the amount of ice coverage. Measures such as stormwater management and the removal of invasive species can help protect the lake from harm.
Scientific Research
Scientific research is playing an important role in understanding the effects of climate change on the ice coverage of Lake Superior. Researchers are using satellite imagery, data from weather stations and more to monitor and assess the amount of ice on the lake. This data is used to track ice coverage over time and can be used to develop models to predict future changes.
Researchers are also using computer simulations to study the potential effects of climate change on the lake. This research can be used to develop strategies to protect the lake and its ice cover in the future.
Conclusion
Ice cover on Lake Superior is a dynamic system, and its future remains uncertain. Climate change is likely a major contributing factor to the lake’s decreasing ice coverage, and experts agree that the trend is likely to continue. As a result, it is important to take action to protect the lake’s ice cover and conserve its habitats and species. From advocacy and policy changes to protection of shorelines and scientific research, there are many ways to help preserve Lake Superior’s ice for future generations.
