And now for something completely different…
By Geoff Peach,
Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation

Climate change projections for Lake Huron suggest that we will see changes in water levels, temperature and precipitation in the coming decades, making our work or leisure experience something different than what we've been used to.

Recent studies by federal and provincial agencies indicate that municipalities, business and property owners will have to make adaptations to cope with these changes. Some of the key findings are listed below.

With higher air temperatures:
longer growing season;
longer summer recreational season
increased demand for beaches and parks;
increased number of hot days could result in conditions that support higher occurrences of poor air quality days. Some of the poorest air quality in Ontario occurs along the eastern shores of Lake Huron, as a result of lake-land breeze circulations;
increased threat of invasive plant species damaging our valued ecosystems.

With precipitation changes:
Increase in intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall. This will increase the flow rates of some streams and rivers, increasing erosion and ;
Increase in frequency and severity of drought;
More precipitation falling as rain and freezing rain, rather than snow.

With increases in water temperature:
Increases in algae blooms;
Extended swimming season (provided water quality is acceptable)

With wind:
Increases in wind speeds, wind patterns, shifting storm tracks and an increase in extreme weather events.
This could result in a more dynamic shoreline, and increase sand movement and dune erosion where proper beach stewardship has not been adopted in advance.
Potential damage to marinas and other coastal facilities from intense wind storms.

With declines in water levels:
Impacts to municipal water intake pipes;
Reductions in commercial shipping loads;
Risk to pleasure craft due to rocks and shoals;
Short to medium tern reduction in erosion damage to coastal bluffs in lower Lake Huron, but wind erosion may become more prevalent requiring new management practices.

Knowing the possible scenarios that we can expect can help in planning strategies to be able to cope with these changes. Some aspects can be seen as an advantage, while some are clearly a threat.

Learn more:
Lake Huron and Climate Change - http://lakehuron.ca/index.php?page=climate-change-2
Impacts and Adaptations - Ontario - http://adaptation.nrcan.gc.ca/assess/2007/on/index_e.php
Union of Concerned Scientists - http://www.ucsusa.org/greatlakes/glimpactwater.html

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