As the earth’s climate warms over the next 20 to 40 years, many scientists believe water levels in the Great Lakes could drop dramatically.
According to an Environment Canada fact sheet, levels in lakes Ontario and Superior could drop by 40 centimetres, Lake Erie by 80 cm, and lakes Michigan and Huron by 100 cm.
Global warming can also lead to more volatility in water levels, meaning the lakes could also be hit with extremely high water conditions in some years.
Water levels in the Great Lakes continually rise and fall from year to year and season to season.
This year, lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron are experiencing their lowest water levels in the past 35 years, according to the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
The research lab says on its website that the lakes have faced an “unprecedented drop” in levels over the past three years.
Less precipitation over the basin in the winter, and less runoff in the spring have led to the low levels. Warmer temperatures have led to higher evaporation rates.
