Potential Variation of Great Lakes Water Levels: A Hydrologic Response Analysis

摘要

The potential for water level changes on Lakes Michigan, Huron, St. Clair, and Erie is examined, using the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory's Hydrologic Response Model (HRM) in conjunction with several hydrometeorologic and water management scenarios. Of the scenarios examined, only a drought similar to that of the early 1960's could return the lakes to their normal levels of 1900-1969. If the regional climatology of 1971-1985 persists for several years, the lake level regime will average about 0.5 m higher than that of 1900-1969.