Water levels reach record lows in Ontario cottage country
Part of Liquid State, an occasional series on our relationship with water.
The bigger boats no longer show up at the marinas. Where people once were able to scoop pails of lake water, there is now just wild grass and pebbles. Gentle waves used to lap on cottage docks, but they have been replaced by decaying weeds that wash up on the receding shore.
Why water levels are so low in cottage country
Welcome to Lake Huron and Georgian Bay’s new low-water reality, one that’s draining dollars from cottagers and businesses, potentially sucking the life from wetlands, and pushing the International Joint Commission (IJC) to recommend that the Canadian and US governments boost the water level by as much as 25 cm. “Something should be done,” says Guest, whose grandfather bought the Severn Sound property in 1903. “If this continues, our bay will dry up.”
http://bit.ly/15DN4CY Cottage Life
Well worth the read
From this weeks Mayor’s Weekly Update
To be added to Mayor Marshall’s email distribution list please email Stacey Cooper at scooper@penetanguishene.ca
Saturday July 6th
Restore Our Water International will be in our area to provide an update for North Simcoe communities regarding what can be done about the severely low water levels in Lakes Michigan/Huron/Georgian Bay. Restore Our Water International (ROWI) has grown to more than 15,000 shoreline owners and business interests. Their keynote speaker is Roger Gauthier, Chair of ROWI. Roger is a retired Senior Hydrologist who spent 30 years with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Also presenting is Dr. Pat-Chow-Fraser from McMaster University in Hamilton and of course Mary Muter. There are two sessions for you early birds you can catch the meeting at the Tiny Rec Centre at 10 a.m. or if the afternoon is better for you can attend the 3 p.m. meeting in Port McNicoll at their Community Centre.
http://bit.ly/12mPRfy
Low Water Levels on the Great Lakes
Double Check Your Charts Before You Head Out
The International Joint Commission invites Public Comment on a Proposal for Lake Ontario and St. Lawrence River Regulation
The International Joint Commission (IJC) is inviting the public to comment on a proposal for managing the water levels and flows in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River that will continue to contribute to the economic health of communities throughout the basin while improving the long-term ecological health of Lake Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence River.
Since 1960, the IJC has managed the flow of water at the Moses-Saunders hydropower dam, located on the St Lawrence River between Cornwall, Ontario and Massena, New York. The management of water flows influences water levels on Lake Ontario and in the St Lawrence River as far downstream as Lake St. Pierre. Although water levels and flows are primarily determined by precipitation, snowpack and storms, water flow management has provided substantial benefits to the region. These include reducing flooding and erosion on the Lake Ontario shoreline, reducing flooding downstream, and providing more favorable conditions on the lake and river for water intakes, recreational boating, commercial navigation and hydroelectric power production.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Action needed on water level crisis - not more study
It would seem trivial to understand that what is required is to restore outflows to what they were before extensive dredging, and to shut down the waste water channel. The Mississippi is flooding and doesn't need any more water.
http://bit.ly/17Tt27v Midland Free Press
Economic relief sought due to low water levels; Delegation 'very well received,' mayor says
The mayors of Georgian Bay communities have been successful in meeting with the feds, but not with the Ontario premier regarding economic relief for businesses impacted by record low water levels.
http://bit.ly/12o5p3p Midland Free Press May 9, 2013
What you should know about Georgian Bay water levels
Lake Huron’s water level hit a record low this past February, an inch below the previous record set in 1965—and it’s still dropping. This is the 13th year in a row that water levels for Huron, as well as Lake Michigan, have been below average. In Ontario’s Georgian Bay, the drop is especially damaging, closing marinas, cutting off water access to cottages and disrupting the entire ecosystem—including the sportfishery
Press Release: Monday, April 29, 2013
Restore Our Water International (ROWI) applauds the International Joint Commission (IJC’s) Advice to Governments to investigate installation of flow reduction structures in the St. Clair River to respond to the ongoing low water crisis across the middle and upper Great Lakes.
http://bit.ly/17tTpRf Restore Our Water International
Fix water levels in Huron, Michigan: IJC
http://bit.ly/Z9HFhs Midland Free Press
The international agency tasked with monitoring the quantity and quality of water in the Great Lakes is recommending governments need to address record low water levels in lakes Michigan and Huron.
However, at least one group advocating for action questions whether the recommendations will adequately address the long-term issues facing the Great Lakes — especially Huron and Michigan. April 26 2013
Group demanding governments address low levels in Great Lakes
The international agency tasked with controlling water levels on the Great Lakes is recommending that governments need to address record low water levels in lakes Michigan and Huron.
However, at least one group advocating for action questions whether the recommendations will adequately address the long-term issues facing the Great Lakes — especially Huron and Michigan.
http://bit.ly/ZU40P1 Barrie Examiner April 26 2013
Dunlop asks Wynne to weigh in on water levels
Simcoe North MPP Garfield Dunlop has called on Liberal Premier Kathleen Wynne to meet with business leaders and politicians concerned about the low water levels of Georgian Bay.
http://bit.ly/14QvFt3 Midland Free Press April 24 2013
Viable solutions exist. But they require your attention.
http://www.stopthedrop.ca Stop The Drop
Sign the petition and join up.
Update on the Municipal Efforts Addressing the Low Water Levels in Georgian Bay
WHEN: Saturday April 13, 2013 10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m.
WHERE: Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre - Brian Orser Hall
61 Maria Street, Penetanguishene
The impact of declining water levels on the Great Lakes has been studied by many groups over the past decade. These studies have assembled significant amounts of scientific fact, proposed a number of underlying causes and considered possible solutions.
http://bit.ly/16vwXXw Town of Penetanguishene April 3 2013
Great Lakes dying a “death by a thousand cuts”
http://bit.ly/XyKqaU Cottage Life December 19 2012
Low water levels in bay focus of Ottawa talks
http://bit.ly/W343wU Simcoe.Com
Great Lakes Water Levels: Feds Look At Reducing Flow From Lake Huron And Michigan To St. Clair River
http://huff.to/WNfPYZ Huffington Post Feb 5 2013
Two Great Lakes hit lowest water levels in history
http://bit.ly/VYbLbd Cottage Life
Lake Huron, Lake Michigan at lowest water levels on record
http://bit.ly/XhPQqH Globe and Mail Feb 6 2013
Big crowd reflects worries over water levels
Economic impacts, possible solutions discussed at public meeting
http://bit.ly/XdFzPn Simcoe.Com
Restore our Water
http://bit.ly/YpIJxD restoreourwater.com
Low water in Great Lakes means high costs for Canada: expert
http://bit.ly/12VPP2w globalnews.ca Jan 20 2013
Warming Lakes: Climate Change and Variability Drive Low Water Levels on the Great Lakes
http://bit.ly/Yg8u1s National Geographic Nov 20 2012
Map shows Great Lakes stress
http://bit.ly/UOTZXm Midland Freepress Jan 7 2013
Lake Huron hits record low
http://bit.ly/136NS1O Midland Freepress Jan 4 2013
Update on the Municipal Efforts Addressing the Low Water Levels in Georgian Bay
WHEN: Saturday April 13, 2013 10:00 a.m. to 12:00p.m.
WHERE: Penetanguishene Memorial Community Centre - Brian Orser Hall
61 Maria Street, Penetanguishene
The impact of declining water levels on the Great Lakes has been studied by many groups over the past decade. These studies have assembled significant amounts of scientific fact, proposed a number of underlying causes and considered possible solutions.
http://bit.ly/16vwXXw Town of Penetanguishene April 3 2013
Great Lakes dying a “death by a thousand cuts”
http://bit.ly/XyKqaU Cottage Life December 19 2012
Low water levels in bay focus of Ottawa talks
http://bit.ly/W343wU Simcoe.Com
Great Lakes Water Levels: Feds Look At Reducing Flow From Lake Huron And Michigan To St. Clair River
http://huff.to/WNfPYZ Huffington Post Feb 5 2013
Two Great Lakes hit lowest water levels in history
http://bit.ly/VYbLbd Cottage Life
Lake Huron, Lake Michigan at lowest water levels on record
http://bit.ly/XhPQqH Globe and Mail Feb 6 2013
Big crowd reflects worries over water levels
Economic impacts, possible solutions discussed at public meeting
http://bit.ly/XdFzPn Simcoe.Com
Restore our Water
http://bit.ly/YpIJxD restoreourwater.com
Low water in Great Lakes means high costs for Canada: expert
http://bit.ly/12VPP2w globalnews.ca Jan 20 2013
Warming Lakes: Climate Change and Variability Drive Low Water Levels on the Great Lakes
http://bit.ly/Yg8u1s National Geographic Nov 20 2012
Map shows Great Lakes stress
http://bit.ly/UOTZXm Midland Freepress Jan 7 2013
Lake Huron hits record low
http://bit.ly/136NS1O Midland Freepress Jan 4 2013
PLEASE JOIN R.O.W. INTERNATIONAL , RESORE OUR WATER
ReplyDeleteWRITE TO THE FEDERAL OR PROVINCIAL GOVERMENT ASKING FOR SUPPORT OF SILL INSTALATIONS ALONG THE ST CLAIR RIVER TO STOP DREDGING AND DRAINAGE. WATCH FOR OUR NEW WEB SITE.