Introduction
Lake Huron, one of the five Great Lakes, is the second largest Great Lake by volume, and the fourth largest by surface area. Located in North America, the lake is bounded by the provinces of Ontario and Michigan, with part of the shoreline in the US state of Wisconsin. The waters of the lake drain into Lake St. Clair, Huron, and then on to the Detroit River, and to the St. Lawrence River.
Lake Huron is an important part of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin ecosystem, connecting these major waterways with the Atlantic Ocean. The lake provides habitat to many species of fish, and is vitally important to the people whose businesses and livelihoods depend upon its abundance. The temperature of Lake Huron is an important factor in its health, and in the health of the fish species that inhabit it.
Lake Huron Temperature Overview
The temperature of Lake Huron, as with other large bodies of water, is influenced by a number of factors, including weather and the seasons. In the spring, when the lake’s surface temperature is warmer, water evaporates more quickly than during the winter, cooling the lake’s surface. In the summer, winds blowing across the lake warm the surface and warmer air from the surrounding land creates warmer surface temperatures. In the winter, ice covers the lake and a layer of insulating snow blankets the shoreline. As a result, the winter temperature of the lake is colder than the winter temperature of the surrounding land.
Recently, Lake Huron has been experiencing unseasonably warmer temperatures. During the summers of 2019 and 2020, the lake’s surface temperature has been up to six degrees Celsius warmer than historic averages. Scientists believe that this may be due to higher air temperatures and increased evaporation of water from the lake into the atmosphere.
Environmental Impact of Lake Huron Temperature
The changes in temperature of Lake Huron have been linked to changes in the lake’s ecosystem. Warmer temperatures can endanger some species, while providing ideal conditions for the growth of Eurasian plants, such as zebra mussels. The Great Lakes are home to a number of native species that are adapted to the lake’s environment. If the lake’s temperature significantly fluctuates, it can disrupt these species, leading to population declines.
Change in lake temperature can also be an indication of climate change. Due to the size and volume of the lake, its temperature is sensitive to the changing climate and is believed to be a reliable indicator of climate change in the Great Lakes region. Warmer temperatures may be linked to more frequent and intense heat waves, which can cause additional stress to fish population and the surrounding ecosystem.
COVID-19 Response
The pandemic has also had a significant effect on the lake’s temperature. With the stay-at-home orders issued in 2020, many seasonal activities normally conducted on the lake have been stopped. This decreased human activity in the lake led to a decrease in surface temperature of about 0.2 to 0.4 degrees Celsius. Scientists believe that this respite could be beneficial for the lake’s ecosystem, with the lower temperature providing a beneficial environment for fish populations.
Human Impact on Lake Huron Temperature
The human impact on the temperature of Lake Huron is twofold. On the one hand, changes in the land use and activities near the lake can increase the temperature of the lake, while on the other hand, human activities can be beneficial to the lake’s temperature. For example, dredging of the lake to maintain navigation can create cooler pockets of water, while technologies such as wind turbines can be beneficial to the lake’s ecosystem by providing a source of renewable energy.
In 2020, the Ontario government adopted a plan to reduce air pollution in the province. This plan puts an emphasis on reducing emissions from industrial sources, such as manufacturing, transportation, and heating and cooling systems. The plan also includes strategies to reduce land runoff into the lake, which can have an impact on the lake’s temperature. These initiatives, if implemented effectively, could lead to cooler temperatures in Lake Huron.
Management and Protection
The changes in the temperature of Lake Huron can have both positive and negative effects on the lake’s ecosystem. It is important for the provincial and federal governments to monitor the lake’s temperature and take steps to protect and manage it. The Great Lakes Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program is a joint initiative by the US and Canada to provide information on the lake’s temperature and other environmental indicators.
The provincial and federal governments are also taking steps to protect the lake’s resources by enacting legislation that prohibits activities that may be harmful to the lake’s ecosystem. For example, the Ontario government has issued regulations to limit the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus runoff into the lake, and both the provinces of Ontario and Michigan have legislation in place to protect the lake’s natural habitat. Additionally, the Great Lakes Protection Act provides the legal basis for activities such as the reduction and prevention of pollution of the Great Lakes.
Climate Change Impact
The changing climate of the Great Lakes region is having an effect on the lake’s temperature. In recent years, the lake’s average temperature has been increasing, which scientists say is due to higher air temperatures and increased runoff from the surrounding land. This rise in temperature has been linked to extreme heat events and summer droughts, both of which can have devastating effects on the lake’s ecosystem.
Climate change is also causing an increase in precipitation in the region, which can cause flooding in the lake’s shores and an increase in runoff and nutrients in the lake. These nutrient levels can be a contributing factor to harmful algal blooms, which can further degrade the lake’s water quality and put additional strain on its ecosystem.
Conclusion
Lake Huron is a major part of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin ecosystem and its temperature is an important factor in its health. The lake’s temperature is influenced by a variety of factors, including air temperature and changes in land use near the lake. The lake’s temperature is an important indicator of climate change in the Great Lakes region and also has a direct effect on the lake’s ecosystem. It is important for the provincial and federal governments to continue to monitor the lake’s temperature and take steps to protect and manage it.
