The Great Lakes shoreline is an actively eroding coast. Some shorelines erode more quickly than others. These are high risk erosion areas (HREAs). The HREAs are eroding at an average rate of one foot or greater per year over at least 15 years.
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Those findings are consistent with a study from Michigan Technological University. That study found Lake Superior is expected to rise on average by 7.5 inches while levels on the Lake Michigan-Huron system is projected to increase 17 inches by 2050 due to climate change.
Washaway Beach. North Cove became famous as the US west coast's fastest-eroding spot, its epithet, “Washaway Beach”, denoting decades of loss and dread. Year after year, winter storms, tidal currents and ocean-borne waves kicked North Cove's feet out from under it and forced the town to retreat north-east.
Climate change is fueling more extreme Lake Michigan Water levels, along with stronger winds and heavier storms. These conditions exacerbate erosion, beach loss, and damage along the shore.
Not only is this lake massive - spanning 307 miles in either direction - but its shores also run parallel, causing unique wave shapes. The shapes of these waves are what contribute to rip tides, which are one of the most dangerous things swimmers can encounter in the water.
Swimmers didn't find it too appealing, but it was popular for those who wanted to fish for trout. However, an analysis of satellite images between 1998 and 2012 showed that Lake Michigan and Lake Huron are now clearer than Lake Superior, which had always been the clearest of the Great Lakes in the past.
You can read more about this as well as other myths about water level fluctuations in this blog. Over the next 6 months, Lake Michigan water levels are predicted to be below last year's levels, but remain above long term average water levels indicated by the dashed blue line in the image below.
Over the past two years, the water level declines have been a little more than average and the water level increases have been less than average. This is especially true on Lakes Michigan and Huron.
10% of the entire planet's fresh water are contained in one inland sea. The amount of snow that gets melted and runs into the Great Lakes each year is so vast, that there is zero chance of running low. Droughts don't exist up there. Here in Perth Western Australia we have a dam, little rain and treated water.