What Are The Causes Of Lake Michigan Freezing Over?
Lake Michigan is the fifth-largest lake in the world and is usually not frozen over due to its size, movement of water, and warmer climate. However, during colder-than-normal winters, the lake can partially freeze over. This frozen expansive lake is a unique and beautiful sight, offering a unique landscape for activities for people living along the lake’s coast. Numerous factors can contribute to the lake freezing over, some of which are natural, and some which are man-made.
Natural Factors
Naturally, when colder weather sets in after a winter storm, temperatures drop across the lake, causing ice formation. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), when the lake’s temperature reaches 39°F, small pools of ice form first, followed by a gradual course of large and thick sheets of ice.
Another natural factor causing Michigan’s lakes to freeze over is the lake’s actual size and movement. The lake has an average depth of 279 feet and an average temperature of 39°F during winter seasons which has the greatest effect on it freezing. This is because, the deeper a body of water is and the lower the temperature, the slower the freezing process will be. This means that the lake’s size, coupled with its deeper cold temperatures, can ultimately slow down the freezing process, depending on the weather conditions.
Man-Made Factors
One man-made factor that has an impact on the lake freezing over is the amount of snow that falls over the winter months. When heavy snowfall blankets the lake as well as the surrounding land, the area between the lake and the snow accumulates extra heat. This heat, coupled with extra lake evaporation and warmer lake temperatures, can help prevent some of the lake’s waters from freezing.
Another way that humans can affect the lake’s freezing is by purposely circulating the lake’s water with ice breakers. When it’s harbor season and boat traffic is at its highest, most of the Great Lakes and coastal harbors need ice breakers. These vessels have large plows that are made from stainless steel and are used to carve a path of open water through the ice so that the boats and ships have a safe passage.
The Consequences Of Lake Michigan Not Freezing
When Lake Michigan does not freeze over, as it typically does, it can cause several consequences for the regions around the lake, both environmentally, and economically. First, if Lake Michigan does not freeze in the colder months, it can lead to an increase in evaporation, which in turn can lead to a decrease in nearby water supplies and an increase in other environmental impacts. Additionally, Lake Michigan provides a source of income to many of the communities that surround it. When the impact of melting ice affects tourism, it can cause local businesses to suffer.
Environmental Impact
When the global climate is changing, there are likely to be shorter periods of winter weather with extended periods of warmer temperatures being experienced. This can directly affect the lake’s temperature and eventually, the freezing of its waters. This could have a significant ecological impact on the lake’s species. In particular, aquatic plants, animals, and microorganisms that rely on cold-water temperatures for their survival would be negatively affected. This is because the water of Lake Michigan is already naturally warm, and if the waters warmed further, due to its already shallow depth, it could potentially result in these species becoming stressed and die off as a result.
Economic Impact
In terms of economics, if Lake Michigan does not freeze it can lead to a variety of problems for local businesses. Winter tourism is an integral part of the industrial make up in the communities that surround Lake Michigan. If the lake were to remain unfrozen, it would mean fewer people visiting the lake during cold winter months. This can cause a decline in local businesses that rely on seasonal tourism and could disrupt the regional economic health.
Effects Of Climate Change On Lake Michigan
Climate change is causing long-term environmental effects on the environment, and Lake Michigan is no exception. According to a University of Michigan study, in 2021 climate change is enabling the ice shelf forming at Lake Michigan to be thinner than in years past. This is because as the planet warms and more carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is released into the atmosphere, the atmosphere in turn captures more warmth. This heat radiates to the lake and warms the waters, making it more challenging for a full freeze to take place.
Melting Of The Ice
As the global temperature continues to rise, the lake will become more vulnerable to fully freezing over. In addition to a full freeze being hindered, the ice shelf that does exist is also more prone to melting too. However, in extreme cold temperatures, the lake is more likely to completely freeze, but even then it is still likely to be much thinner than it would be otherwise due to global warming.
The effects of climate change on Lake Michigan are not only significant in terms of frozen water, they are also responsible for a decrease in the lake’s water level, an increase in the lake’s temperature, as well as an increase in algae production in the lake’s waters. Despite the changes that are occurring on Lake Michigan, it is still a valuable resource to the area and with continued monitoring, it’s possible some of the effects can be slowed or reversed.
The Role Of Humans In Effecting Lake Michigan’s Freezing Over
Humans have the potential to have a significant effect on the lake’s freezing over process. Through the act of conservation and the decreasing of carbon emissions, it is possible for humans to work towards slowing the effects of climate change which would make it easier for the lake to freeze. Additionally, the use of ice breakers by humans can be beneficial when it comes to winter boat traffic but it can also have an effect on the freezing of the waters too.
Decreasing Carbon Emissions
Humans can have a positive impact on the lake freezing over by decreasing the amount of carbon emissions that are released into the atmosphere. This is because the more carbon dioxide there is in the air, the more likely it is that the lake’s waters will not fully freeze, as the extra heat will make it more difficult for the lake to freeze. As a result, by decreasing the amount of carbon emissions, humans can work towards helping Lake Michigan fully freeze over.
Icebreaker Operations
The use of icebreakers by humans can also have an effect on the lake’s freezing over. The icebreakers help to break up the large areas of frozen water, and while this is beneficial in terms of providing safe passage for boats, it can also prevent larger areas of the lake from fully freezing. As a result, in order to help protect the lake and promote the freezing of its waters, humans should limit the use of icebreakers when possible.
Environmental Preservation Strategies To Help Protect And Preserve The Lakes Waters
Preserving the waters of Lake Michigan is important in terms of both environmental and economic reasons, as the health of the lake is directly related to both of these factors. In order to ensure the health of the lake’s waters, there are several strategies that governments, organizations, and individuals can take in order to monitor and protect the lake’s water quality.
Testing And Monitoring
The first component to preserving the lake’s water is to test and monitor the water quality on a regular basis. There are a variety of different tests that can be done to measure the water quality and determine if any pollutants are present in the water. This can be done through the testing of organics, bacteria, and other harmful toxins.
Limiting Pollutants
In order to promote the natural freezing of the lake’s waters, governments and organizations can work together to limit the amount of pollution entering the lake. This is done by limiting the amount of industrial waste and other pollutants that can enter the lake’s waters.
Using Icebreakers Sparingly
Finally, it is important to use icebreakers sparingly when needed. While the use of these vessels may be necessary in the winter months, their use should be restricted and monitored in order to ensure that they are not affecting the lake’s freezing process.
Conclusion
In order for Lake Michigan to fully freeze over, several factors, both natural and man-made, need to come into play. From colder weather and snowfall, to pollutants and the use of icebreakers, each factor can have an impact on the ultimate outcome. Additionally, the effects of climate change have become increasingly relevant to this process and have caused longer periods of unfrozen water, as well as changed the thickness of the lake’s ice shelf when it does freeze. As a result, understanding the various factors and making conscious efforts to maintain the lake in the best condition possible, is the key to preserving Lake Michigan’s waters and allowing it to freeze over properly.
