River Erosion Lowering Water Levels on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron

Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are losing vast amounts of water because of erosion from a decades-old dredging project, according to a new study.

The lakes, connected geologically, saw levels drop when a commercial navigation channel was dug at the bottom of the St. Clair River in 1962, boosting the flow south toward Lake Erie. But, according to a recent report, previously undetected erosion has made the channel more than 60 feet deep in some places - twice as deep as needed for shipping. Since the first channels were dredged on the St. Clair River in 1860, levels on the lakes have fallen a total of 32 inches, the report said, and the problem only will worsen unless corrected. Government officials said they need more time to study the report but noted Great Lakes levels have fluctuated constantly for a variety of reasons since the mid-1800s.  http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=6992

January 25, 2005, Associated Press