Lake Huron is an immense lake located near the North American coast, the fifth largest lake of the five Great Lakes and the third largest of the Great Lakes by surface area, it connects to lake Erie through the Detroit river. picturesque and iconic, Lake Huron holds a special place in the heart of Canadians and Americans, a source of beauty and natural bounty it has become a popular spot for both undemanding and more challenging activities such as swimming, fishing and kayaking.
Towards the beginning of summer, the temperature of Lake Huron reaches up to 15° C and can keep this level for several weeks, with heat increasing as the season progresses. The increase in temperature is caused by the arrival of warm air moving across the lake, which leads to a decrease in the lake’s surface temperature.The lake cools up again towards the end of summer, towards levels in the range of 13-15° Celsius. Within this range, the lake’s temperature stays at a stable temperature of 15°C in September and proceeds to gradually decrease further till October when the final temperature holds at 10-11°C.
According to research by the #Great Lakes National Program Office, the long-term average surface water temperature is 19.3°C (67°F). When the average is above their long-term average, for more than five years, it is known as a ‘warming trend’, these trends can arise from a number of anthropogenic sources-activities that are caused by human impacting activities. These activities often involve excessive emissions from industrial practices and emissions from transport as well as natural sources. When temperatures exceed the long-term average, fish and other aquatic species can suffer from the rise in temperature, as a result it is important to monitor the temperature of the lake. Fortunately, Lake Huron still remains within its tolerable temperature range.
The actual temperature of water in Lake Huron greatly depends on the amount of sunlight or solar radiation that the lake is exposed to, as well as the lake’s proximity to other natural factors such as the proximity to other bodies of water where local winds, current, and air temperature can play an important role in the overall water temperature. For example, Lake Huron in the summer is relatively warmer compared to spring temperatures due to the heat of the summer sun.
The importance of monitoring the temperature of Lake Huron is clear. Changes in temperature can affect the lives and behaviour of fish, native plants and the entire aquatic eco-system. Severe changes in temperature can deplete oxygen levels, either killing off entire species or leading to a less diverse population. Careful monitoring of the temperature of Lake Huron is therefore important and can endow us with useful information on how to better maintain the health of this important system.
Climate Change and Lake Huron
The impacts of climate change on Lake Huron are significant. Global warming caused by the release of greenhouse gases has caused an increase in water temperature as well as changing weather patterns, which impacts the water levels and water clarity of the lake. The increase in water temperature can be detrimental to the lake’s biota, which is already stressed by human activities such as the introduction of invasive species (e.g. lampreys or sea lamprey, which is a species of eel-like lamprey native to the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans).
In 2012, the Canadian and American governments established the ‘Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory’, a laboratory committed to studying and monitoring the effects of climate change on the Great Lakes. This organization studies the long-term warming trend in the lake, as well as its current temperature. Furthermore, it has conducted various studies on how climate changes are impacting the lake’s food web, from plankton to fish and from birds to mammals.
The Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory has concluded that the current temperature range of Lake Huron is still within its tolerable average, however, they have found substantial increases in water levels, as well as increased water clarity which can be attributed to climate change.
As a result of the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory’s findings, government agencies have been working to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere in an effort to reduce the impact of climate change on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Huron.
Environmental Impacts
The temperature of Lake Huron also affects its environment, soil and water quality, as a result of increased temperatures combined with increased nutrients from industry-discharged pollutants and agricultural runoff; the lake can become over-enriched. This leads to algal blooms which reduce the water’s oxygen and light levels, resulting in a decrease of oxygen-dependent species and the death of fish, shrimp, and other aquatic species.
The algal blooms can also be toxic to humans, being linked to a range of illnesses. To combat this, the Canadian and American governments have put in place a set of regulations that are applied to industries and agricultural activities that are close to the lake, with standards being in place to reduce the amount of pollutants discharged into the lake.
Local non-government organisations have also been carrying out initiatives to help improve the water quality of Lake Huron, they have been running projects that are aimed at reducing and preventing excess nutrient inputs from wastewater and agricultural activities. These projects are also actively raising awareness of the importance of proper water stewardship, and how each individual can help protect the lake.
Nature and Tourism
Lake Huron does not just provide a source of beauty, but also a source of livelihood for local populations. Although industrial activities are the main disruption to the lake, the lesser known tourism industry is also a contributor to the socio-economic life of the region. The tourism sector is heavily reliant on the lake, as it attracts many visitors from around the world who come to admire its beauty, as well as engage in some of the activities it offers, such as swimming, fishing and kayaking.
Every year, millions of visitors flock to the shorelines of Lake Huron, creating a large tourism industry that provides a living for many of the locals in the region. However, with the effects of climate change, it is important that the lake remains healthy and maintained, not only for tourists, but also for its inhabitants.
The warmth of the lake is not only pleasant, but it also allows several types of fish and other aquatic species to thrive, as well as marine plants like Lake Huron wild rice, which is a native food source to the region. As a result, it is important for visitors to take the necessary precautions such as wearing a life jacket and avoiding activities that put them and the lake at risk.
Conclusion
Overall, Lake Huron is a massive lake located near the North American coast that is filled with life and beauty. With its temperature ranging from 10-15°C, the lake is still maintained within an average that is beneficial to both its inhabitants and tourists. Despite its current health, the lake is still vulnerable to climate change as well as disruptions from industrial activities and agricultural runoff. As a result, it is important to protect and maintain the lake in order to preserve it for future generations.
