Lake Huron E-News
Lake Huron e-news - a monthly publication of the Coastal Centre
October 2008
The monthly e-news from the Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation (The
Coastal Centre) provides you with a feature story about an issue concerning
Lake Huron, ways you can be a steward to the Lake and upcoming projects and
events. Please pass this information forward to anyone interested. Past
issues of e-news can be found at our News
www.lakehuron.on.ca/centre/news/
& Updates page.
******
And now for something completely different.
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
******
Celebrating Ten Years Protecting Lake Huron's Coast
The Lake Huron Centre for Coastal Conservation is celebrating its tenth
anniversary in 2008. The Centre received its Letters Patent, and its
charitable status in 1998. Formed as an advocate for Lake Huron's coastal
environment, the Centre has had many successes in its short history. Along
with being awarded a number of grants to carry out its conservation mission,
the Centre was presented with the bi-national "State of the Lakes Ecosystem
Conference" (SOLEC) award in 2004. This award recognized our work as making
a significant contribution to the improvement of the Great Lakes
environment.
Concerned with the state of nearshore water quality, biodiversity, coastal
processes and climate change affecting Lake Huron, the Coastal Centre
undertakes research, education and community outreach to build a stronger
sense of awareness and stewardship within the coastal community.
For a description of projects and activities over the years, please see our Year in Review series.
http://lakehuron.ca/index.php?page=year-in-review
http://lakehuron.ca/index.php?page=year-in-review
******
About the Coastal Centre
The Coastal Centre is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the conservation and wise stewardship of Lake Huron's coastal ecosystems. Our environmental priorities include coastal water quality, biodiversity, coastal processes and climate change. For more information on the Centre,
its Board of Directors, Board of Technical Advisors and staff, go to our website
http://www.lakehuron.on.ca/centre/corporate/
or contact us at
(519) 523-4478, P.O. Box 178, Blyth, Ontario, N0M 1H0.
******
Postings: broadcast-only list (outside postings are not accepted) Frequency: about once per month with infrequent special bulletins Feedback: send comments/questions to
(Un)Subscribe: leave/join eNews list:
Privacy Policy: your contact information will not be shared with others
Lake Huron e-news is provided by The Coastal Centre:
email: coastalcentre@lakehuron.on.ca
phone: (519) 523-4478
fax: (519) 523-4929
Announcing Ontario Communities WalkON
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2009/06/c5256.html
Storm Water Runoff
Managing Storm Water Runoff