Star Beacon
January 08, 2007 07:15 am
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No coverage won't have impact on Lake Erie's water levels. Levels are eight inches above normal due to rain.
By STACY MILLBERG
Staff Writer
smillberg@starbeacon.com
Unusually warm winter temperatures have prevented Lake Erie from freezing for the second year in a row and also make it very unlikely the lake will see any sort of an ice covering this year.
The water temperature, registering in the low to mid 40s in different areas, is the highest it's ever been, for this time of year, since recording keeping began, said George Cotroneo, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo, N.Y. Division's chief of water management.
"I can't say no ice is going to form," he said. "But it's unlikely (Lake Erie) is going to freeze."
On average, Lake Erie begins to freeze over between the last week of December and the beginning of January. By the end of January, it is normally completely froze over, Cotroneo said.
In 2000/2001, Lake Erie saw some ice coverage and almost froze over. In 2003/2004, the lake did freeze, seeing a fairly good ice coverage. In 2004/2005, the lake was pretty much frozen, with a few thin spots. Last year, Lake Erie saw a minimal amount of ice coverage and so far this year, there has been no ice coverage, he said.
On warmer days near spring, an ice coverage prevents evaporation of the lake. Without an ice coverage, Lake Erie could see a little bit of evaporation, but the overall impact on the water levels will be minimal, Cotroneo said.
Lake Erie's water level is eight inches above normal for this time of year, with Lake Michigan, Lake Huron and Lake Superior's levels all well below average, he said. Like Lake Erie, Lake Ontario's water level is also above average, which Cotroneo attributes to the extensive rainfall both regions have seen this year.
"The rainfall this year has been very high," he said.
On average, the amount of precipitation around the basin of the lake has the largest affect on the water levels. Lake Erie is also influent on the upper lakes' water flow into it. Since summer, Lake Erie's water level has been running higher than last year. Over the past three to six months, the lake has seen an increase in the water flowing into it, according to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Cleveland.
Over the last couple of years, Lake Erie's water level has been below normal. The rain around Lake Erie and the other lakes has helped to recharge the levels. The lake level in general, like any pool of water, is going to be affected by the amount of precipitation flowing into it and affected negatively by evaporation, according to NWS.
Lake Erie was at it's lowest point, 39 inches lower than it is now, in January 1935 during the Dust Bowl, NWS reports, but generally only fluctuates about two inches every year.
NWS said the water level may also be affected to some degree by how much water is diverted into the Niagara River to the hydroelectric plant, but by and far, the largest factor in lake levels is due to weather patterns and how much drainage is flowing into the lake.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 1/7/2007
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