GLIN==> Binational Expert Panel: No Ongoing Erosion in St. Clair River

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, May 1, 2009 

MORE INFORMATION:                        John Nevin, 202-256-1368 or 
nevinj at washington.ijc.org

                                                            Jill
Wingfield, 734-223-3131 or wingfieldj at ottawa.ijc.org

 

Binational Expert Panel: No Ongoing Erosion in St. Clair River

Draft Report Identifies Several Causes for Changes in Water Levels

 

[Washington and Ottawa] - In a draft report released today nearly one
year ahead of its original schedule, the International Upper Great Lakes
Study (IUGLS) determined that erosion of the St. Clair River is not
ongoing and recommended that "remedial measures not be undertaken at
this time."  The report - Impacts on Upper Great Lakes Water Levels:
St. Clair River - is the product of intense effort by a 10 member
binational Study Board of experts and public members, who commissioned
42 research projects that engaged over 100 scientists. Fourteen public
meetings have been scheduled throughout the region where residents can
learn about the findings and provide comments (see page two or 
www.iugls.org <http://www.iugls.org/>  for the full report and other
details regarding the public consultation process).

 

The Study Board was appointed by the International Joint Commission to
determine whether the conveyance capacity of the St. Clair River has
changed, to assess if there is ongoing erosion in the river bed and to
identify other factors that may be affecting water levels.
Specifically, the independent panel examined the change in head drop (or
difference in water levels) between Lake Huron and Lake Erie, estimating
the decline to be 23 centimetres (cm) or 9 inches (in) between 1962 and
2006.  After an exhaustive effort to collect and verify historical data,
conduct new research and analyze results, three key factors were
identified as contributing to the decline: 

 

*      A change in the conveyance of the St. Clair River (deepening of
the river bed) accounts for about 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 in); a
relatively dramatic and rapid change in conveyance appears to have
occurred in the mid-1980s, possibly resulting from a single event, such
as a major ice jam.  This change in conveyance resulted in a temporary
increase in flows, which returned to pre-change conditions by the end of
the decade.

*      Changes in climatic patterns (less water being supplied to Lake
Michigan-Huron and Lake Superior) account for about 9 to 27 cm (3.5 to
10.6 in); this factor has become even more important in recent years,
accounting for an estimated 75 percent of the decline between 1996 and
2005.

*      Glacial isostatic adjustment (the rebounding of the earth's crust
after the retreat of the glaciers) accounts for about 4 cm (about 1.6
in), but varies greatly throughout the basin.  For example, this effect
is much larger (11 cm or 4.3 in) in Parry Sound on Georgian Bay with
respect to the outlet at Lakeport, Michigan, where it is negligible.

 

"Climate is the main driver of the lake level relationships between
lakes and over time," the report emphasized.  "There has been a
persistent decline in net total supply of water to Lake Superior and
Lake Michigan-Huron over the past two decades that has resulted in
declining lake levels and a change in the relationship to Lake Erie."  

 

The Study Board also recommended that:  "The need for mitigative
measures in the St. Clair River continues to be examined as part of the
continuing Study that will include a comprehensive assessment of the
future effects of climate change on water supplies in the upper Great
Lakes basin on Lake Superior regulation." 

 

To assure the scientific credibility of the results, the IJC engaged the
Environmental & Water Resources Institute of the American Society of
Civil Engineers and the Canadian Water Resources Association to select
highly credentialed engineers and scientists who are leaders in their
fields to review the Study methodology, key scientific reports and other
major products of the Study.  While initial reviews have been positive,
other reviews with respect to the draft St. Clair River report are
ongoing and will be completed later this spring.  After incorporating
public comments, the results of additional research and responses to
both internal and independent reviews, the Study Board will finalize the
report for presentation to the International Joint Commission in the
fall of 2009.  

 

Funded equally by the U.S. and Canadian governments, this draft report
is the first output of the Study.  The Study will continue to examine
whether the current regulation plan for outflows from Lake Superior
through the compensating works and power dams on the St. Marys River at
Sault Ste. Marie needs to be modified to reflect broader interests and
the potential impacts of a changing climate.  The St. Marys River
regulation plan report is scheduled to be completed early in 2012.  

 

Besides the St. Clair River scientific report, there is a concise
summary report available at www.iugls.org <http://www.iugls.org/> .  

 

The Study Board will be providing in-depth briefings and receiving
comments at fourteen public meetings throughout the upper Great Lakes
basin in May and June.  Comments can also be provided via the Study
website.  The schedule for these public meeting is below: 

 




May 19, 2009

Sarnia City Hall

Council Chambers 

255 North Christina Street

Sarnia, ON  N7T 7N2

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Library 
32 Lake Shore Drive

Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Bayshore Community Centre

Bay Room B

1900 3rd Ave E.                     

Owen Sound, ON  N4K 3M6 

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

May 20, 2009 

Great Lakes Science Center, Auditorium

601 Erieside Ave.                

Cleveland, Ohio 44114

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands Recreation Centre

9001 Hwy-6 S                       

Little Current, ON P0P1K0

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Hotel Orrington

Heritage Room

1710 Orrington Avenue                 

Evanston, Illinois, 60201

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

 

Lakehead University

Theatre AT 1001

955 Oliver Road                        

Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 5E1

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

June 9, 2009

Annis Water Resources Institute

740 W. Shoreline Drive          

Muskegon, MI  49441

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Charles W. Stockey Center, Theatre

Two Bay St.                                   

Parry Sound, ON  P2A 1S3

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Algoma University, Great West Life Amphitheatre

1520 Queen St East                          

Sault Ste. Marie, ON  P6A 2G4

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

June 11, 2009

North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre, Community Hall A

527 Len Self Boulevard                           

Midland, ON  L4R 5N6

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

 

Northwestern Michigan College                  

Oleson Center 112                                               

 1701 East Front St.        

Traverse City, MI 49686

7:00 - 9:00 pm

 

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Superior Conference Center

600 North 21st Street

Superior, WI 54880

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

 

Delta College Planetarium and Learning Center


Space Explorer Hall

100 Center Ave.                              

Bay City, MI 48708

7:00 - 9:00 p.m.






 

 

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