{"id":2192,"date":"2014-07-17T15:15:41","date_gmt":"2014-07-17T15:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/?page_id=2192"},"modified":"2022-04-14T18:16:03","modified_gmt":"2022-04-14T18:16:03","slug":"section-1-potential-risks-impacts-background","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/course-units\/increasing-resilience\/section-1-potential-risks-impacts-background\/","title":{"rendered":"Section 1: Potential Risks and Impacts Background"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; inner_width=&#8221;auto&#8221; inner_max_width=&#8221;1080px&#8221;][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.16.1&#8243; text_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; text_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;text_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; text_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; link_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; link_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; link_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; link_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;link_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; link_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ul_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ul_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ul_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;ul_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ul_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ol_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ol_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; ol_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;ol_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; ol_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; quote_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; quote_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; quote_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;quote_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; quote_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_2_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_2_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_3_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_3_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_4_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_4_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_5_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_5_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_horizontal_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_vertical_length_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength=&#8221;header_6_text_shadow_style,%91object Object%93&#8243; header_6_text_shadow_blur_strength_tablet=&#8221;1px&#8221; box_shadow_horizontal_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_vertical_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; box_shadow_blur_tablet=&#8221;40px&#8221; box_shadow_spread_tablet=&#8221;0px&#8221; vertical_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; horizontal_offset_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; z_index_tablet=&#8221;0&#8243; background_pattern_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.2)&#8221; background_mask_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1>Section 1: Potential Risks and Impacts Background<\/h1>\n<p>This section focuses on anticipated environmental and climate-related changes as an operational issue and lays a foundation for how your operation can address such changes in a way that makes sense to your facility\u2019s bottom line. The three major environmental and climate-related changes most relevant to ports, harbors and marinas are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fluctuations in water level<\/li>\n<li>Storm frequency and intensity<\/li>\n<li>Changing precipitation and temperature<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>Great Lakes Region Climate Trends<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A summary of recent scientific findings reports: \u201cIntense rainstorms, floods and heat waves will become more common in the Great Lakes region due to climate change in the coming decades. While ice-cover declines will lengthen the commercial navigation season on the lakes, warmer lake temperatures will increase risks from invasive species, and could threaten water quality.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h6>Source: GLISA Synthesis of the National Climate Assessment for the Great Lakes Region, 2014<\/h6>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>When considering the impact of changing environmental conditions on your facility, it may be helpful to assess your current goals, strategies and operating procedures in the context of increasingly variable conditions. What impacts do you need to prepare for? What will more intense and frequent storms do to your infrastructure? How will you respond to fluctuating water levels? How would shifts in weather patterns affect your shoulder seasons and staffing needs?<\/p>\n<p>This section includes information on the risks and impacts most relevant to waterfront operations, background information, and a list of tools and resources for each topic. Generally, the \u201ctools\u201d are interactive resources provided to help you explore an issue further and the \u201cresources\u201d are available to summarize findings.<\/p>\n<h2>Learning Objectives<\/h2>\n<p>By the end of this section, you should be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Understand and recognize potential risks and impacts to your facility.<\/li>\n<li>Identify tools to learn more about potential risks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Background<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#fluctuatingwater\">Fluctuating water levels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#increasedstorm\">Increased storm frequency and intensity with increased precipitation<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#tempchange\">Temperature changes<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h3><a name=\"fluctuatingwater\"><\/a>Fluctuating Water Levels<\/h3>\n<p>Water levels directly affect marinas and harbors in the Great Lakes. Physical access to boat slips, navigation channels and harbors of refuge may be compromised. Fluctuating water levels influence a facility\u2019s ability to operate, and in turn, affect finances and patronage. Operators generally acknowledge that facilities are adversely affected by decreases in lake levels: expenses are incurred through damages, adaptations and lost slip rental revenue. High water levels may be problematic and require adaptations or related repairs, especially during storm surges, but may not be as immediately damaging as low levels.<\/p>\n<h4>How Water Levels Affect Marinas and Harbors<\/h4>\n<p>Fluctuating water levels \u2014 both higher and lower \u2014 will affect your facility. For example, given a 3 foot drop in water levels, a recent study projected cost estimates ranging from $53,000 to $83,000 per marina depending on the lake. Some impacts from drastically different water levels will be experienced regardless of whether levels are higher or lower; additional impacts are specific to whether levels are higher or lower. The following table provides an overview of potential impacts.<\/p>\n<table style=\"height: 909px;\" border=\"1\" width=\"576\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<tbody>\n<tr bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\">\n<td width=\"140\"><strong>Environmental Change<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"440\"><strong>Potential Impact<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"140\"><em>Fluctuating Water Levels<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"440\">\n<ul>\n<li>Reduced stability and strength of dockage and increased rate of deterioration for dockage.<\/li>\n<li>Increased need for dredging to harbor navigation channels and interior facility slips.<\/li>\n<li>More\/less beach area and related aesthetic issues.<\/li>\n<li>Variation in nearshore habitat impacting desired and nuisance species (e.g., fish spawning habitat and related tourism; increased populations of invasive species).<\/li>\n<li>Increased costs from additional dredging, permanent adaptations and operational changes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td bgcolor=\"#ECECEC\" width=\"140\"><em>Lower water levels<\/em><\/td>\n<td bgcolor=\"#ECECEC\" width=\"440\">\n<ul>\n<li>Existing structure undermined (exposure of wood frames to oxygen increases rate of decay).<\/li>\n<li>Potential safety concerns (increased vertical distance between fixed dock and vessel, vessels running aground or striking bottom).<\/li>\n<li>Stranded dock or harbor in extreme lows.<\/li>\n<li>Bottleneck at channel entry\/exit (boater wait time).<\/li>\n<li>Reduced access to slips (limits on size of vessel entering basin, reassignment of berths to match draft depths).<\/li>\n<li>Increased need for dredging.<\/li>\n<li>Reduced access to boat launch (ramp not long enough).<\/li>\n<li>Increase in costs: dredging, permanent adaptations (e.g., floating docks), accepting only smaller boats with a loss of revenues from slip fees and other purchases (e.g., fuel and groceries).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"140\"><em>Higher water levels<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"440\">\n<ul>\n<li>Stability and strength of infrastructure compromised and structures may become unusable in extreme conditions (e.g., storm surges).<\/li>\n<li>Widespread shoreline erosion and flooding.<\/li>\n<li>Greater potential for flooding of critical land areas and operational structures.<\/li>\n<li>Reduced beach access, limiting recreational activities.<\/li>\n<li>Changes to ecology of beach and offshore habitat, affecting aesthetics and fisheries.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"580\">\n<h6><em>Sources: Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities, Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts; NOAA Water Levels Briefing: November 20, 2013; Recreational Boating and Tourism Contextual Narrative; International Upper Great Lakes Study<\/em><\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h4><em>Understanding Fluctuating Water Levels<\/em><\/h4>\n<p>When assessing your facility\u2019s risk to fluctuating water levels, it may be helpful to consider the historic range of highs and lows \u2014 there are no guarantees that future conditions will remain in this range, but it is a good starting point when considering how to prepare for extremes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 report differences between record high and low monthly mean lake levels as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Superior: 3.9 ft (1.2 meters)<\/li>\n<li>Michigan\/Huron: 6.3 feet (1.9 meters)<\/li>\n<li>Erie: 6.1 ft (1.8 meters)<\/li>\n<li>Ontario: 6.6 ft (2.0 meters)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h6><em>Source: <a title=\"USACE Long-term Averages for Great Lakes Water Levels \" href=\"http:\/\/www.lre.usace.army.mil\/Portals\/69\/docs\/GreatLakesInfo\/docs\/WaterLevels\/LTA-GLWL-English.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USACE Long-term Averages for Great Lakes Water Levels<\/a> (PDF), 2013<\/em><\/h6>\n<div id=\"attachment_2257\" style=\"width: 947px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2257\" class=\"wp-image-2257 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/GLWaterSystem_GLAtlas.png\" alt=\"The Great Lakes Water Budget\" width=\"937\" height=\"727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/GLWaterSystem_GLAtlas.png 937w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/GLWaterSystem_GLAtlas-300x233.png 300w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/GLWaterSystem_GLAtlas-768x596.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 937px) 100vw, 937px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2257\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><b>The Great Lakes Water Budget<\/b> Precipitation, evaporation and runoff are shown for each Great Lake using orange, red and green arrows, respectively. Large blue arrows represent basin-wide evaporation and precipitation. Because nearly a third of the surface area of the Great Lakes basin is water (unique for a basin of this size), the three primary components (evaporation, precipitation and runoff) are roughly equal in their influence on the water budget. Source: U.S. EPA 2012.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Great Lakes water levels do not rise and fall with individual storms, but rather, significant water level fluctuations require months, seasons or years of wet or dry conditions. Lake levels are determined by three main factors related to inputs and outputs (i.e., the water budget):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Evaporation off the lakes and <a title=\"evapotranspiration\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/resources-tools\/glossary\/#evap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evapotranspiration<\/a> from land<\/li>\n<li>Precipitation onto land and lakes<\/li>\n<li>Runoff from the land and rivers into the lakes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These factors, each equal in their influence on the water budget, are influenced by changes in climate. Annual average air and water temperatures are rising and future climate models project continued warming, which contributes to higher rates of evaporation.<\/p>\n<p>Projected future precipitation amount, rates and annual variability in timing of wetter and drier periods vary by model, and scientists are currently unsure if the increase in evaporation will be offset by an increase in precipitation. Seasonal changes in water level are driven by fluctuations in evaporation, ice cover and precipitation, so researchers continue to explore this relationship.<\/p>\n<p>Water levels are also influenced by <a title=\"glacial isostatic adjustment\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/resources-tools\/glossary\/#glacial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">glacial isostatic adjustment<\/a> (tilting of basin), ice cover and seasonal variations. While the relationship between ice cover, evaporation and water levels is complex, typically heavy ice cover can reduce the amount of evaporation from the Great Lakes in the fall and winter, thus contributing to higher water levels in the future. (If a lake is residually cold from a prior winter\u2019s extreme ice cover, evaporation which typically peaks in fall, may be reduced.)<\/p>\n<p>Seasonal changes in weather patterns, which influence evaporation and precipitation, typically cause an annual pattern of rising and falling of Great Lakes water levels:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A <strong>seasonal rise<\/strong> in the spring \u2014 primarily caused by an increase in precipitation, the melting of accumulated snow, an increase in runoff and low evaporation rates.<\/li>\n<li>A <strong>seasonal decline<\/strong> in the fall and winter \u2014 primarily caused by an increase in evaporation, a decrease in precipitation and the accumulation of snowpack on the land area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<h4>Interactive Tools<\/h4>\n<p>You can use the following tools to learn more about fluctuating water levels, informing your assessment of your facility\u2019s risks and impacts.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2265 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Great-Lakes-Dashboard-Project-1024x555.png\" alt=\"Great Lakes Dashboard Project chart\" width=\"1024\" height=\"555\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Great-Lakes-Dashboard-Project-1024x555.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Great-Lakes-Dashboard-Project-300x163.png 300w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Great-Lakes-Dashboard-Project-768x416.png 768w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Great-Lakes-Dashboard-Project.png 1530w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><a title=\"Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard - NOAA\" href=\"https:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/data\/wlevels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard<\/a><\/strong>: View current, historical and projected water levels. The NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory\u2019s <em>Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard<\/em> provides a way to visualize and examine historic lake levels and future projection comparisons at different times. Options are available for customizing graphs. Also check out the new <a title=\"Great Lakes Hydro-Climate Dashboard\" href=\"https:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/data\/wlevels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Hydro-Climate Dashboard<\/a>, a build-on to the original dashboard that includes data on <em>drivers <\/em>behind water level change, like precipitation, evaporation and ice cover data.<\/p>\n<p><strong><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2348 size-full alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/lakelevels.jpg\" alt=\"lakelevels\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" \/><a title=\"Great Lakes Lake Level Viewer - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/coast.noaa.gov\/digitalcoast\/tools\/llv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Lake Level Viewer<\/a><\/strong>: A visualization tool produced by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management that can be used to gain a better perspective on changing lake levels. Interactive images of local community landmarks together with maps showing water level scenarios convey the potential physical, social and economic impacts of lake level change in the U.S. Great Lakes.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Sources<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Summary Reports:<\/strong> Six Month Forecast Bulletins (USACE)<br \/>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers webpage home for downloadable bulletins including hydrographs depicting water levels for the previous year, the current year to date and a projection for the next six months (based on present condition of lake basin and anticipated future weather).<\/li>\n<li>Connecting Channels Forecast (USACE): Chart view of expected water levels in next four weeks for all Great Lakes and connecting channels (St. Lawrence River, Detroit River, St. Clair River, St. Marys River).<\/li>\n<li>Water Level Summaries (USACE): Brief monthly summaries (PDF) of water levels and conditions for each of the Great Lakes. Includes mean water level, how it changed from prior month, relationship to long-term average, expectations for coming months and notable conditions (e.g., above-average precipitation for a lake basin).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Great Lakes Data:<\/strong> Great Lakes Water Quality (NOAA)\u00a0\u2013 HABs, hypoxia, beach water quality.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Technical Observations: <\/strong>CoastWatch &#8211; Great Lakes (NOAA)- Near real-time observation and tracking for a number of physical characteristics in the Great Lakes\n<ul>\n<li>Great Lakes Surface Environmental Analysis (GLSEA) \u2013 Imagery of surface water temperatures, and imagery for ice cover, as applicable.<\/li>\n<li>Great Lakes Surface Water Temperatures &#8211; Local contour maps for Great Lakes surface water temperatures (produced in partnership between NOAA and Michigan Sea Grant)<\/li>\n<li>In Situ Data \u2013 Current wind and wave conditions and forecasts, plus weather report<\/li>\n<li>Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) \u2013 Current satellite imagery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><strong>Video:<a title=\" Great Lakes Water Level Changes: Addressing Risks and Impacts on Coastal Assets\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kq1sbCuycxQhttp:\/\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><em>Great Lakes Water Level Changes: Addressing Risks and Impacts on Coastal Assets<\/em><em> (NOAA and TNC)<br \/><\/em>Learn how changing water levels impact economics, nature and infrastructure in the Great Lakes basin and how decision makers can use tools and data to promote more resilient communities. (5 minutes)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Video Series:<\/strong> Unchartered Waters: Journal Sentinel Special Report (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)<br \/>Series of videos developed as part of a special report on water levels in the Great Lakes.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Video:<\/strong> Great Lakes Ice and Water Levels (University of Michigan Engineering)<br \/>Discussion of implications of ice cover and frigid water on the lakes&#8217; future water levels and shipping and tourism industries that depend on them; plus efforts to obtain better ice and water level measurements. (3.5 minutes)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Website: <\/strong>Great Lakes Ice Cover (NOAA)<br \/>NOAA resources on exploring the relationships between ice cover, lake thermal structure, and regional climate.<br \/><a name=\"increasedstorm\"><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"attachment_2284\" style=\"width: 332px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2284\" class=\"wp-image-2284 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Credit_ODNR-Coastal-Management_1.jpg\" alt=\"Storm damage from Hurricane Sandy at a Lake Erie marina.\" width=\"322\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Credit_ODNR-Coastal-Management_1.jpg 322w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/Credit_ODNR-Coastal-Management_1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 322px) 100vw, 322px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2284\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Storm damage from Hurricane Sandy at a Lake Erie marina. Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.<\/p><\/div>\n<h3>Increased Storm Frequency and Intensity with Increased Precipitation<\/h3>\n<p>Storms are becoming more frequent and more intense, escalating the risk for damage at marinas and harbors. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy delivered gale force winds over 45 miles per hour causing damage to marinas and breakwaters along the Lake Erie shoreline; the storm also increased sediment loads to harbors and channels. In some marinas, damage to patron\u2019s vessels was extensive and operators and owners have spent months afterward determining legal responsibilities and conducting clean-up. Future storms will pose similar operational considerations.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>How Storms and Precipitation Affect Marinas and Harbors<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Increased storm frequency and intensity will affect your facility. The following table provides an overview of potential impacts.<\/p>\n<table border=\"1\" width=\"580\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"140\"><strong>Environmental Change<\/strong><\/td>\n<td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"440\"><strong>Potential Impact<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"140\">Increased Storm Frequency and Intensity<\/td>\n<td width=\"440\">\n<ul>\n<li>Larger waves, higher seiches and greater storm surges can damage port and harbor infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li>Increased potential for shoreline erosion and damage to existing property due to erosion from storm runoff and flooding.<\/li>\n<li>Increased need for scour protection at the base of fixed docks, piles and walls.<\/li>\n<li>Damage to dockage and boats while moored.<\/li>\n<li>Vessel maneuverability and speeds affected, potentially raising safety concerns.<\/li>\n<li>Increased channel sedimentation or resuspension, plus potential for resuspension of contaminated sediments.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"140\">Increased Precipitation<\/td>\n<td width=\"440\">\n<ul>\n<li>Increased rainfall amounts may overwhelm onsite stormwater management system, resulting in flooding.<\/li>\n<li>Impaired water quality and beach closures if increased runoff deposits excess nutrients and pathogens on beach (e.g. combined sewer overflow), resulting in economic loss.<\/li>\n<li>Prolonged dry periods can lead to major slope failures in heavy rainfall events.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"580\">\n<h6>Sources: <em>Climate Change Implications and Adaptation Strategies <\/em>, Wisconsin Sea Grant; <em>Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities,<\/em> Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts; <em>Midwest Climate Impacts,<\/em> ICLEI<\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Understanding Storms and Precipitation<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Extreme rainfall events and flooding have increased in frequency during the last century, and these trends are expected to continue<em>. <\/em>In the Midwest, the 10 rainiest days can contribute as much as 40 percent of total precipitation in a given year. Generally, annual precipitation increased during the past century \u2014 by up to 20 percent in some locations \u2014 with much of the increase driven by intensification of the heaviest rainfalls (National Climate Assessment, 2014).<\/p>\n<p>Flooding also causes major human and economic consequences, including disruption to navigation in the region\u2019s roads, rivers and reservoirs. Furthermore, water infrastructure for flood control, navigation, and other purposes is susceptible to climate change impacts and other forces because the designs are based upon historical patterns of precipitation and stream flow\u2014which may no longer be appropriate guides in a changing climate (GLISA, 2014).<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Interactive Tools<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You can use the following tools to learn more about storm frequency and intensity, informing your assessment of your facility\u2019s risks and impacts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Flood Map Service Center (FEMA): provides access to your official flood map, a range of other flood hazard products and tools to support a better understanding of flood risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>FEMA\u2019s Flood Maps: Know Your Risk and Take Action Against Flooding infographic to learn more about how flood maps are developed and used to determine flood insurance rates through the National Flood Insurance Program.<\/p>\n<p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Map: <\/strong>Projected Precipitation Changes in the Midwest: Interactive Map (U.S. Global Change Research Program &#8211; Midwest Report)<br \/>Map showing change in average precipitation, increases in the amount of rain falling in the wettest 5-day period over a year; also the differences in number of days with heavy precipitation (top 2% of all rainfalls each year) and number of consecutive dry days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Website: <\/strong>National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Hazard Mapping (FEMA)<br \/>Through its Flood Hazard Mapping Program, also known as Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP), FEMA identifies flood hazards, assesses flood risks and partners with states and communities to provide accurate flood hazard and risk data to guide them to mitigation actions. Risk MAP provides high quality flood maps and information, tools to better assess the risk from flooding plus planning and outreach support. Each Risk MAP flood risk project is tailored to the needs of each community and may involve different products and services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a name=\"tempchange\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Temperature Changes<\/h3>\n<p>Changes in our region\u2019s temperatures will affect recreational boating and facilities operation in several ways. It\u2019s not all bad news, as the boating season may be extended if temperatures warm. At the same time, operators will need to be aware of the impact of launching boats in an early warm period followed by a late spring freeze.<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>How Temperature Affects Marinas and Harbors<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Changes in precipitation and temperature averages and extremes will affect your facility. The following table provides an overview of potential impacts.<\/p>\n<table border=\"1\" width=\"580\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"140\"><strong>Environmental Change<\/strong><\/td>\n<td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"440\"><strong>Potential Impact<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"140\">Temperature Changes<\/td>\n<td width=\"440\">\n<ul>\n<li>Increased wear on buildings due to heat and weather extremes.<\/li>\n<li>Increased annual energy costs due to probable need for additional air conditioning during summer.<\/li>\n<li>Shorter winters may extend boating season, influencing operations (start date for seasonal staff, varying dates launch\/storage of vessels).<\/li>\n<li>Late spring freezes may impact boats dewinterized and launched in an early warm period.<\/li>\n<li>Increased heat wave intensity and frequency plus increased humidity could bring more people to the waterfront.<\/li>\n<li>Changes in freeze-thaw cycles may adversely affect bluff stability and accelerate slope erosion processes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"580\">\n<h6>Sources:\u00a0<em>Climate Change Implications and Adaptation Strategies<\/em>, Wisconsin Sea Grant; <em>Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities,<\/em> Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts; <em>Midwest Climate Impacts,<\/em> ICLEI<\/h6>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<div id=\"attachment_2286\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2286\" class=\"wp-image-2286 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3-1024x749.png\" alt=\"Midwest Annual average temperatures chart\" width=\"1024\" height=\"749\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3-1024x749.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3-300x219.png 300w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3-768x562.png 768w, https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3.png 1750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-2286\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Temperatures are rising in the Midwest. Annual average temperatures (red line) across the Midwest show a trend towards increasing temperature. The trend (heavy black line) calculated over the period 1895-2012 is equal to an increase of 1.5\u00b0F. (Figure source: GLISA, updated from Kunkel et al. 2013).<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong><em>Understanding Temperature<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Key precipitation and temperature changes anticipated for the Great Lakes region include increased number and intensity of heat waves and increased humidity. Variations in timing of temperature changes are also expected, including more late spring freezes and decreased ice cover. The Midwest, which includes much of the Great Lakes, has experienced an increasing pace of warming since 1900.<\/p>\n<p>Generally, a changing climate will exacerbate a range of risks to the Great Lakes, including changes in the range and distribution of certain fish species, increased populations of invasive species, more harmful algal blooms and declining beach health (National Climate Assessment, 2014).<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Interactive Tools<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You can use the following tools to learn more about temperature and precipitation, informing your assessment of your facility\u2019s risks and impacts.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Climate Wizard (TNC), an interactive tool, allows users to explore future climate scenarios\u2014such as a change in temperature and precipitation under different future carbon emissions\u2014for specific regions. This information can be used to inform a community\u2019s planning goals, resource management and investment decisions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Sources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Summary Reports: <\/strong>Binational Climate Impacts and Outlook Reports (National Integrated Drought Information System)<br \/>A two-page downloadable climate report released quarterly for regions in the U.S., including one for the Great Lakes. Includes report on surface Great Lakes water temperature and levels, precipitation and temperatures plus related impacts such as water quality, navigation and recreation, public health and infrastructure and transportation. Forecasts for water levels, temperature and precipitation and harmful algal blooms are also included.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Location-specific Summary Reports: <\/strong>Great Lakes Station Climatologies (GLISA)<br \/>Summaries of climate information, as collected at local weather stations, for select locations in the Great Lakes region include an overview of the climate along with data and graphs. You could look her for more localized information on temperature and precipitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Map:<\/strong> Projected Mid-Century Temperature Changes in the Midwest: Interactive Map (U.S. Global Change Research Program &#8211; Midwest Report)<a href=\"http:\/\/nca2014.globalchange.gov\/system\/files_force\/downloads\/high\/NCA3_Full_Report_18_Midwest_HighRes.pdf\"><br \/><\/a>Map showing change in average temperature and the difference in number of days above 95\u00b0F, frost-free days and cooling days (defined as days with average temperature above 65\u00b0F, which generally leads to an increase in energy use for air conditioning).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>Next:<\/strong> <a title=\"Section 2: Infrastructure\" href=\"\/clean-marina-classroom\/increasing-resilience\/section-2-infrastructure\/\">Section 2: Infrastructure<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"et_pb_row et_pb_row_0 et_pb_row_empty\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> Section 1: Potential Risks and Impacts BackgroundThis section focuses on anticipated environmental and climate-related changes as an operational issue and lays a foundation for how your operation can address such changes in a way that makes sense to your facility\u2019s bottom line. The three major environmental and climate-related changes most relevant to ports, harbors [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":2236,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<p>This section focuses on anticipated environmental and climate-related changes as an operational issue and lays a foundation for how your operation can address such changes in a way that makes sense to your facility\u2019s bottom line. The three major environmental and climate-related changes most relevant to ports, harbors and marinas are:<\/p><ul><li>Fluctuations in water level<\/li><li>Storm frequency and intensity<\/li><li>Changing precipitation and temperature<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><blockquote><p><strong>Great Lakes Region Climate Trends<\/strong><\/p><p>A summary of recent scientific findings reports: \u201cIntense rainstorms, floods and heat waves will become more common in the Great Lakes region due to climate change in the coming decades. While ice-cover declines will lengthen the commercial navigation season on the lakes, warmer lake temperatures will increase risks from invasive species, and could threaten water quality.\"<\/p><h6>Source: GLISA Synthesis of the National Climate Assessment for the Great Lakes Region, 2014<\/h6><\/blockquote><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>When considering the impact of changing environmental conditions on your facility, it may be helpful to assess your current goals, strategies and operating procedures in the context of increasingly variable conditions. What impacts do you need to prepare for? What will more intense and frequent storms do to your infrastructure? How will you respond to fluctuating water levels? How would shifts in weather patterns affect your shoulder seasons and staffing needs?<\/p><p>This section includes information on the risks and impacts most relevant to waterfront operations, background information, and a list of tools and resources for each topic. Generally, the \u201ctools\u201d are interactive resources provided to help you explore an issue further and the \u201cresources\u201d are available to summarize findings.<\/p><h2>Learning Objectives<\/h2><p>By the end of this section, you should be able to:<\/p><ul><li>Understand and recognize potential risks and impacts to your facility.<\/li><li>Identify tools to learn more about potential risks.<\/li><\/ul><h2>Background<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#fluctuatingwater\">Fluctuating water levels<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#increasedstorm\">Increased storm frequency and intensity with increased precipitation<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#tempchange\">Temperature changes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><h3><a name=\"fluctuatingwater\"><\/a>Fluctuating Water Levels<\/h3><p>Water levels directly affect marinas and harbors in the Great Lakes. Physical access to boat slips, navigation channels and harbors of refuge may be compromised. Fluctuating water levels influence a facility\u2019s ability to operate, and in turn, affect finances and patronage. Operators generally acknowledge that facilities are adversely affected by decreases in lake levels: expenses are incurred through damages, adaptations and lost slip rental revenue. High water levels may be problematic and require adaptations or related repairs, especially during storm surges, but may not be as immediately damaging as low levels.<\/p><h4>How Water Levels Affect Marinas and Harbors<\/h4><p>Fluctuating water levels \u2014 both higher and lower \u2014 will affect your facility. For example, given a 3 foot drop in water levels, a recent study projected cost estimates ranging from $53,000 to $83,000 per marina depending on the lake (<a title=\"IUGLS Recreational Boating and Tourism Contextual Narrative\" href=\"http:\/\/www.iugls.org\/DocStore\/ProjectArchive\/RBT_RecBoating\/RBT01_McCole_RecBoatingTourismContextualNarrative\/Reports\/RBT01-R1_McCole.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">IUGLS Recreational Boating and Tourism Contextual Narrative - PDF<\/a>). Some impacts from drastically different water levels will be experienced regardless of whether levels are higher or lower; additional impacts are specific to whether levels are higher or lower. The following table provides an overview of potential impacts.<\/p><table style=\"height: 909px;\" border=\"1\" width=\"576\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tbody><tr bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\"><td width=\"140\"><strong>Environmental Change<\/strong><\/td><td width=\"440\"><strong>Potential Impact<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"140\"><em>Fluctuating Water Levels<\/em><\/td><td width=\"440\"><ul><li>Reduced stability and strength of dockage and increased rate of deterioration for dockage.<\/li><li>Increased need for dredging to harbor navigation channels and interior facility slips.<\/li><li>More\/less beach area and related aesthetic issues.<\/li><li>Variation in nearshore habitat impacting desired and nuisance species (e.g., fish spawning habitat and related tourism; increased populations of invasive species).<\/li><li>Increased costs from additional dredging, permanent adaptations and operational changes.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><tr><td bgcolor=\"#ECECEC\" width=\"140\"><em>Lower water levels<\/em><\/td><td bgcolor=\"#ECECEC\" width=\"440\"><ul><li>Existing structure undermined (exposure of wood frames to oxygen increases rate of decay).<\/li><li>Potential safety concerns (increased vertical distance between fixed dock and vessel, vessels running aground or striking bottom).<\/li><li>Stranded dock or harbor in extreme lows.<\/li><li>Bottleneck at channel entry\/exit (boater wait time).<\/li><li>Reduced access to slips (limits on size of vessel entering basin, reassignment of berths to match draft depths).<\/li><li>Increased need for dredging.<\/li><li>Reduced access to boat launch (ramp not long enough).<\/li><li>Increase in costs: dredging, permanent adaptations (e.g., floating docks), accepting only smaller boats with a loss of revenues from slip fees and other purchases (e.g., fuel and groceries).<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"140\"><em>Higher water levels<\/em><\/td><td width=\"440\"><ul><li>Stability and strength of infrastructure compromised and structures may become unusable in extreme conditions (e.g., storm surges).<\/li><li>Widespread shoreline erosion and flooding.<\/li><li>Greater potential for flooding of critical land areas and operational structures.<\/li><li>Reduced beach access, limiting recreational activities.<\/li><li>Changes to ecology of beach and offshore habitat, affecting aesthetics and fisheries.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"580\"><h6><em>Sources: <a title=\"Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wicci.wisc.edu\/report\/Coastal-Communities.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities<\/a> (PDF), Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts; NOAA Water Levels Briefing: November 20, 2013; <a title=\"IUGLS Recreational Boating and Tourism Contextual Narrative\" href=\"http:\/\/www.iugls.org\/DocStore\/ProjectArchive\/RBT_RecBoating\/RBT01_McCole_RecBoatingTourismContextualNarrative\/Reports\/RBT01-R1_McCole.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recreational Boating and Tourism Contextual Narrative<\/a> (PDF); International Upper Great Lakes Study<\/em><\/h6><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p>\u00a0<\/p><h4><em>Understanding Fluctuating Water Levels<\/em><\/h4><p>When assessing your facility\u2019s risk to fluctuating water levels, it may be helpful to consider the historic range of highs and lows \u2014 there are no guarantees that future conditions will remain in this range, but it is a good starting point when considering how to prepare for extremes. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 report differences between record high and low monthly mean lake levels as:<\/p><ul><li>Superior: 3.9 ft (1.2 meters)<\/li><li>Michigan\/Huron: 6.3 feet (1.9 meters)<\/li><li>Erie: 6.1 ft (1.8 meters)<\/li><li>Ontario: 6.6 ft (2.0 meters)<\/li><\/ul><h6><em>Source: <a title=\"USACE Long-term Averages for Great Lakes Water Levels \" href=\"http:\/\/www.lre.usace.army.mil\/Portals\/69\/docs\/GreatLakesInfo\/docs\/WaterLevels\/LTA-GLWL-English.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">USACE Long-term Averages for Great Lakes Water Levels<\/a> (PDF), 2013<\/em><\/h6>[caption id=\"attachment_2257\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/GLWaterSystem_GLAtlas.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-2257 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/GLWaterSystem_GLAtlas-300x232.png\" alt=\"The Great Lakes Water Budget Precipitation, evaporation and runoff are shown for each Great Lake using orange, red and green arrows, respectively. Large blue arrows represent basin-wide evaporation and precipitation. Because nearly a third of the surface area of the Great Lakes basin is water (unique for a basin of this size), the three primary components (evaporation, precipitation and runoff) are roughly equal in their influence on the water budget. Source: U.S. EPA 2012.\" width=\"300\" height=\"232\" \/><\/a> Precipitation, evaporation and runoff are shown for each Great Lake using orange, red and green arrows, respectively. Large blue arrows represent basin-wide evaporation and precipitation. Because nearly a third of the surface area of the Great Lakes basin is water (unique for a basin of this size), the three primary components (evaporation, precipitation and runoff) are roughly equal in their influence on the water budget. (<em>Source: U.S. EPA, 2012<\/em>)[\/caption]<p>Great Lakes water levels do not rise and fall with individual storms, but rather, significant water level fluctuations require months, seasons or years of wet or dry conditions. Lake levels are determined by three main factors related to inputs and outputs (i.e., the water budget):<\/p><ul><li>Evaporation off the lakes and <a title=\"evapotranspiration\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/resources-tools\/glossary\/#evap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evapotranspiration<\/a> from land<\/li><li>Precipitation onto land and lakes<\/li><li>Runoff from the land and rivers into the lakes<\/li><\/ul><p>These factors, each equal in their influence on the water budget, are influenced by changes in climate. Annual average air and water temperatures are rising and future climate models project continued warming, which contributes to higher rates of evaporation.<\/p><p>Projected future precipitation amount, rates and annual variability in timing of wetter and drier periods vary by model, and scientists are currently unsure if the increase in evaporation will be offset by an increase in precipitation. Seasonal changes in water level are driven by fluctuations in evaporation, ice cover and precipitation, so researchers continue to explore this relationship.<\/p><p>Water levels are also influenced by <a title=\"glacial isostatic adjustment\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/resources-tools\/glossary\/#glacial\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">glacial isostatic adjustment<\/a> (tilting of basin), ice cover and seasonal variations. While the relationship between ice cover, evaporation and water levels is complex, typically heavy ice cover can reduce the amount of evaporation from the Great Lakes in the fall and winter, thus contributing to higher water levels in the future. (If a lake is residually cold from a prior winter\u2019s extreme ice cover, evaporation which typically peaks in fall, may be reduced.)<\/p><p>Seasonal changes in weather patterns, which influence evaporation and precipitation, typically cause an annual pattern of rising and falling of Great Lakes water levels:<\/p><ul><li>A <strong>seasonal rise<\/strong> in the spring \u2014 primarily caused by an increase in precipitation, the melting of accumulated snow, an increase in runoff and low evaporation rates.<\/li><li>A <strong>seasonal decline<\/strong> in the fall and winter \u2014 primarily caused by an increase in evaporation, a decrease in precipitation and the accumulation of snowpack on the land area.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><h4>Interactive Tools<\/h4><p>You can use the following tools to learn more about fluctuating water levels, informing your assessment of your facility\u2019s risks and impacts.<\/p><p><a title=\"Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/data\/dashboard\/GLWLD.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-2265\" src=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/Great-Lakes-Dashboard-Project-1024x554.png\" alt=\"Great Lakes Dashboard Project\" width=\"200\" height=\"108\" \/><\/a><strong><a title=\"Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/data\/dashboard\/GLWLD.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard<\/a><\/strong>: View current, historical and projected water levels. The NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory\u2019s <em>Great Lakes Water Level Dashboard<\/em> provides a way to visualize and examine historic lake levels and future projection comparisons at different times. Options are available for customizing graphs. Also check out the new <a title=\"Great Lakes Hydro-Climate Dashboard\" href=\"www.glerl.noaa.gov\/data\/hcdb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Hydro-Climate Dashboard<\/a>, a build-on to the original dashboard that includes data on <em>drivers <\/em>behind water level change, like precipitation, evaporation and ice cover data.<\/p><p>See:<\/p><ul><li><a title=\"GLWLD video tutorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=2IvXzKGBQBk&list=UUCUxGa8FmhZgoU_5kBngPmA\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Video Tutorial<\/a> (YouTube; 4.5 minutes)<\/li><li><a title=\"Water Level Dashboard Fact Sheet - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/pubs\/brochures\/wl_dashboard.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Water Level Dashboard Fact Sheet<\/a> (PDF)<\/li><li><a title=\"Hydro-Climate Dashboard Fact Sheet - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/pubs\/brochures\/glhc_dashboard.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Hydro-Climate Dashboard Fact Sheet<\/a> (PDF)<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/lakelevels.jpg\"><img class=\"alignright wp-image-2348\" src=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/lakelevels.jpg\" alt=\"lakelevels\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" \/><\/a><a title=\"Great Lakes Lake Level Viewer - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/coast.noaa.gov\/digitalcoast\/tools\/llv\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Lake Level Viewer<\/a><\/strong>: A visualization tool produced by the NOAA Office for Coastal Management that can be used to gain a better perspective on changing lake levels. Interactive images of local community landmarks together with maps showing water level scenarios convey the potential physical, social and economic impacts of lake level change in the U.S. Great Lakes.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><em>Resources<\/em><\/p><ul><li><strong>Summary Reports:<\/strong> <a title=\"USACE Six Month Forecast Bulletins\" href=\"http:\/\/www.lre.usace.army.mil\/Missions\/GreatLakesInformation\/GreatLakesWaterLevels\/WaterLevelForecast\/MonthlyBulletinofGreatLakesWaterLevels.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Six Month Forecast Bulletins<\/a> (USACE)<br \/>U.S. Army Corps of Engineers webpage home for downloadable bulletins including hydrographs depicting water levels for the previous year, the current year to date and a projection for the next six months (based on present condition of lake basin and anticipated future weather).<\/li><\/ul><p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Additional USACE Resources:<\/p><ul><li><a title=\"USACE Connecting Channels Forecast\" href=\"http:\/\/www.lre.usace.army.mil\/Missions\/GreatLakesInformation\/GreatLakesWaterLevels\/WaterLevelForecast\/ConnectingChannelsForecast.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Connecting Channels Forecast<\/a> (USACE): Chart view of expected water levels in next four weeks for all Great Lakes and connecting channels (St. Lawrence River, Detroit River, St. Clair River, St. Marys River).<\/li><li><a title=\"USACE Water Level Summaries\" href=\"http:\/\/www.lre.usace.army.mil\/Missions\/GreatLakesInformation\/NewsandInformation.aspx#WaterLevelSummaries\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Water Level Summaries<\/a> (USACE): Brief monthly summaries (PDF) of water levels and conditions for each of the Great Lakes. Includes mean water level, how it changed from prior month, relationship to long-term average, expectations for coming months and notable conditions (e.g., above-average precipitation for a lake basin).<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Great Lakes Data:<\/strong> <a title=\"Great Lakes Water Quality - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/res\/waterQuality\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Water Quality <\/a>(NOAA)\u00a0\u2013 HABs, hypoxia, beach water quality.<\/li><li><strong>Technical Observations: <\/strong><a title=\"CoastWatch - Great Lakes\" href=\"http:\/\/coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">CoastWatch - Great Lakes<\/a> (NOAA)- Near real-time observation and tracking for a number of physical characteristics in the Great Lakes<ul><li><a title=\"HABs Mapping - Michigan Tech Research Institute\" href=\"http:\/\/apache.mtri.org\/wordpress\/habsmapping\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ocean Color: HABS<\/a> \u2013 Harmful algal bloom mapping as related to water quality and public health<\/li><li><a title=\"Great Lakes Surface Environmental Analysis - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov\/glsea\/cur\/glsea_cur.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Surface Environmental Analysis<\/a> (GLSEA) \u2013 Imagery of surface water temperatures, and imagery for ice cover, as applicable.<\/li><li><a title=\"Great Lakes Surface Water Temperatures - NOAA and Sea Grant\" href=\"http:\/\/www.coastwatch.msu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Surface Water Temperatures<\/a> - Local contour maps for Great Lakes surface water temperatures (produced in partnership between NOAA and Michigan Sea Grant)<\/li><li><a title=\"Great Lakes CoastWatch In-Situ Data - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov\/InSitu\/InSitu.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">In Situ Data<\/a> \u2013 Current wind and wave conditions and forecasts, plus weather report<\/li><li><a title=\"GOES - Great Lakes Region - NOAA\" href=\"http:\/\/coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov\/goes\/goes-info.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite<\/a> (GOES) \u2013 Current satellite imagery<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Video:<a title=\" Great Lakes Water Level Changes: Addressing Risks and Impacts on Coastal Assets\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kq1sbCuycxQhttp:\/\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><a title=\" Great Lakes Water Level Changes: Addressing Risks and Impacts on Coastal Assets\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Kq1sbCuycxQhttp:\/\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><em>Great Lakes Water Level Changes: Addressing Risks and Impacts on Coastal Assets<\/em><\/a><em> (NOAA and TNC)<br \/><\/em>Learn how changing water levels impact economics, nature and infrastructure in the Great Lakes basin and how decision makers can use tools and data to promote more resilient communities. (5 minutes)<\/li><li><strong>Video Series:<\/strong> <a title=\"Unchartered Waters: Journal Sentinel Special Report \" href=\"http:\/\/www.jsonline.com\/news\/wisconsin\/does-lake-michigans-record-low-water-level-mark-beginning-of-new-era-for-great-lakes-216429601.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Unchartered Waters: Journal Sentinel Special Report<\/a> (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)<br \/>Series of videos developed as part of a special report on water levels in the Great Lakes:<ul><li><a title=\"Journal Sentinel: What is Behind the Low Levels on the Great Lakes? \" href=\"http:\/\/bcove.me\/956xq3rj\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is Behind the Low Levels on the Great Lakes?<\/a> (4 min)<\/li><li><a title=\"Journal Sentinel: A Hydrologist Looks at Causes, Effects of Low Great Lakes Water Levels \" href=\"http:\/\/bcove.me\/luity8kc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A Hydrologist Looks at Causes, Effects of Low Great Lakes Water Levels<\/a> (2 minutes)<\/li><li><a title=\"Journal Sentinel: From Rising Temperatures to Falling Water Levels on the Great Lakes\" href=\"http:\/\/bcove.me\/s4f1w3sx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">From Rising Temperatures to Falling Water Levels on the Great Lakes<\/a> (3.5 minutes)<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><strong>Video:<\/strong> <a title=\"Great Lakes Ice and Water Levels\" href=\"http:\/\/youtu.be\/cvupZV2C47w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Ice and Water Levels<\/a> (University of Michigan Engineering)<br \/>Discussion of implications of ice cover and frigid water on the lakes' future water levels and shipping and tourism industries that depend on them; plus efforts to obtain better ice and water level measurements. (3.5 minutes)<\/li><li><strong>Website: <\/strong><a title=\"Great Lakes Ice Cover\" href=\"http:\/\/www.glerl.noaa.gov\/data\/ice\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Ice Cover<\/a> (NOAA)<br \/>NOAA resources on exploring the relationships between ice cover, lake thermal structure, and regional climate.<br \/><a name=\"increasedstorm\"><\/a><\/li><\/ul>[caption id=\"attachment_2284\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"322\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/Credit_ODNR-Coastal-Management_1.jpg\"><img class=\"wp-image-2284 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/Credit_ODNR-Coastal-Management_1.jpg\" alt=\"Storm damage from Hurricane Sandy at a Lake Erie marina. Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources.\" width=\"322\" height=\"241\" \/><\/a> Storm damage from Hurricane Sandy at a Lake Erie marina. (Source: <em>Ohio Department of Natural Resources<\/em>)[\/caption]<h3>Increased Storm Frequency and Intensity with Increased Precipitation<\/h3><p>Storms are becoming more frequent and more intense, escalating the risk for damage at marinas and harbors. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy delivered gale force winds over 45 miles per hour causing damage to marinas and breakwaters along the Lake Erie shoreline; the storm also increased sediment loads to harbors and channels. In some marinas, damage to patron\u2019s vessels was extensive and operators and owners have spent months afterward determining legal responsibilities and conducting clean-up. Future storms will pose similar operational considerations.<\/p><p><strong><em>How Storms and Precipitation Affect Marinas and Harbors<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Increased storm frequency and intensity will affect your facility. The following table provides an overview of potential impacts.<\/p><table border=\"1\" width=\"580\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"140\"><strong>Environmental Change<\/strong><\/td><td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"440\"><strong>Potential Impact<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"140\">Increased Storm Frequency and Intensity<\/td><td width=\"440\"><ul><li>Larger waves, higher seiches and greater storm surges can damage port and harbor infrastructure.<\/li><li>Increased potential for shoreline erosion and damage to existing property due to erosion from storm runoff and flooding.<\/li><li>Increased need for scour protection at the base of fixed docks, piles and walls.<\/li><li>Damage to dockage and boats while moored.<\/li><li>Vessel maneuverability and speeds affected, potentially raising safety concerns.<\/li><li>Increased channel sedimentation or resuspension, plus potential for resuspension of contaminated sediments.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"140\">Increased Precipitation<\/td><td width=\"440\"><ul><li>Increased rainfall amounts may overwhelm onsite stormwater management system, resulting in flooding.<\/li><li>Impaired water quality and beach closures if increased runoff deposits excess nutrients and pathogens on beach (e.g. combined sewer overflow), resulting in economic loss.<\/li><li>Prolonged dry periods can lead to major slope failures in heavy rainfall events.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"580\"><h6>Sources: <em><a title=\"Climate Change Implications and Adaptation Strategies - Wisconsin Sea Grant\" href=\"http:\/\/www.seagrant.wisc.edu\/Home\/Topics\/PortsHarborsandMarinas\/Details.aspx?PostID=1562\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Change Implications and Adaptation Strategies<\/a> (PDF)<\/em>, Wisconsin Sea Grant; <em><a title=\"Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities - Wisconsin Climate Change Impacts\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wicci.wisc.edu\/report\/Coastal-Communities.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities<\/a> (PDF),<\/em> Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts; <em><a title=\"Midwest Climate Impacts - ICLEI\" href=\"http:\/\/www.icleiusa.org\/climate_and_energy\/Climate_Adaptation_Guidance\/midwest-climate-impacts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Midwest Climate Impacts<\/a>,<\/em> ICLEI<\/h6><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p><p><strong><em>Understanding Storms and Precipitation<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Extreme rainfall events and flooding have increased in frequency during the last century, and these trends are expected to continue<em>. <\/em>In the Midwest, the 10 rainiest days can contribute as much as 40 percent of total precipitation in a given year. Generally, annual precipitation increased during the past century \u2014 by up to 20 percent in some locations \u2014 with much of the increase driven by intensification of the heaviest rainfalls (National Climate Assessment, 2014).<\/p><p>Flooding also causes major human and economic consequences, including disruption to navigation in the region\u2019s roads, rivers and reservoirs. Furthermore, water infrastructure for flood control, navigation, and other purposes is susceptible to climate change impacts and other forces because the designs are based upon historical patterns of precipitation and stream flow\u2014which may no longer be appropriate guides in a changing climate (GLISA, 2014).<\/p><p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p><p><strong><em>Interactive Tools<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>You can use the following tools to learn more about storm frequency and intensity, informing your assessment of your facility\u2019s risks and impacts.<\/p><ul><li><a title=\"Flood Map Service Center - FEMA\" href=\"https:\/\/msc.fema.gov\/portal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flood Map Service Center<\/a> (FEMA): provides access to your official flood map, a range of other flood hazard products and tools to support a better understanding of flood risk.<\/li><\/ul><p>Also, see FEMA\u2019s <a title=\"Flood Maps: Know Your Risk and Take Action Against Flooding - FEMA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fema.gov\/blog\/2014-02-21\/what-goes-flood-map-infographic\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Flood Maps: Know Your Risk and Take Action Against Flooding<\/a> infographic to learn more about how flood maps are developed and used to determine flood insurance rates through the National Flood Insurance Program.<\/p><p><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p><p><strong><em>Resources<\/em><\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Map: <\/strong><a title=\"Projected Precipitation Changes in the Midwest: Interactive Map \" href=\"http:\/\/nca2014.globalchange.gov\/report\/regions\/midwest#graphic-17083\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Projected Precipitation Changes in the Midwest: Interactive Map<\/a> (<a title=\"U.S. Global Change Research Program - Midwest Report\" href=\"http:\/\/nca2014.globalchange.gov\/system\/files_force\/downloads\/high\/NCA3_Full_Report_18_Midwest_HighRes.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Global Change Research Program - Midwest Report)<br \/><\/a>Map showing change in average precipitation, increases in the amount of rain falling in the wettest 5-day period over a year; also the differences in number of days with heavy precipitation (top 2% of all rainfalls each year) and number of consecutive dry days.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Website: <\/strong><a title=\"National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Hazard Mapping - FEMA\" href=\"http:\/\/www.fema.gov\/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-hazard-mapping\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">National Flood Insurance Program: Flood Hazard Mapping<\/a> (FEMA)<br \/>Through its Flood Hazard Mapping Program, also known as Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP), FEMA identifies flood hazards, assesses flood risks and partners with states and communities to provide accurate flood hazard and risk data to guide them to mitigation actions. Risk MAP provides high quality flood maps and information, tools to better assess the risk from flooding plus planning and outreach support. Each Risk MAP flood risk project is tailored to the needs of each community and may involve different products and services.<\/li><\/ul><p><a name=\"tempchange\"><\/a><\/p><h3>Temperature Changes<\/h3><p>Changes in our region\u2019s temperatures will affect recreational boating and facilities operation in several ways. It\u2019s not all bad news, as the boating season may be extended if temperatures warm. At the same time, operators will need to be aware of the impact of launching boats in an early warm period followed by a late spring freeze.<\/p><p><strong><em>How Temperature Affects Marinas and Harbors<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Changes in precipitation and temperature averages and extremes will affect your facility. The following table provides an overview of potential impacts.<\/p><table border=\"1\" width=\"580\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"8\"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"140\"><strong>Environmental Change<\/strong><\/td><td bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"440\"><strong>Potential Impact<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td width=\"140\">Temperature Changes<\/td><td width=\"440\"><ul><li>Increased wear on buildings due to heat and weather extremes.<\/li><li>Increased annual energy costs due to probable need for additional air conditioning during summer.<\/li><li>Shorter winters may extend boating season, influencing operations (start date for seasonal staff, varying dates launch\/storage of vessels).<\/li><li>Late spring freezes may impact boats dewinterized and launched in an early warm period.<\/li><li>Increased heat wave intensity and frequency plus increased humidity could bring more people to the waterfront.<\/li><li>Changes in freeze-thaw cycles may adversely affect bluff stability and accelerate slope erosion processes.<\/li><\/ul><\/td><\/tr><tr><td colspan=\"2\" bgcolor=\"#DCDCDC\" width=\"580\"><h6>Sources:\u00a0<em><a title=\"Climate Change Implications and Adaptation Strategies - Wisconsin Sea Grant\" href=\"http:\/\/www.seagrant.wisc.edu\/Home\/Topics\/PortsHarborsandMarinas\/Details.aspx?PostID=1562\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Change Implications and Adaptation Strategies<\/a><\/em>, Wisconsin Sea Grant; <em><a title=\"Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities - Wisconsin Climate Change Impacts\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wicci.wisc.edu\/report\/Coastal-Communities.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Change and Wisconsin\u2019s Great Lakes Coastal Communities<\/a>,<\/em> Wisconsin Initiative on Climate Change Impacts; <em><a title=\"Midwest Climate Impacts - ICLEI\" href=\"http:\/\/www.icleiusa.org\/climate_and_energy\/Climate_Adaptation_Guidance\/midwest-climate-impacts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Midwest Climate Impacts<\/a>,<\/em> ICLEI<\/h6><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>[caption id=\"attachment_2286\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-2286 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/miseagrant.boxcarsandbox.net\/clean-marina-classroom\/files\/2014\/07\/MW_annual_temperature_V3-300x219.png\" alt=\"Temperatures are rising in the Midwest. Annual average temperatures (red line) across the Midwest show a trend towards increasing temperature. The trend (heavy black line) calculated over the period 1895-2012 is equal to an increase of 1.5\u00b0F. (Figure source: GLISA, updated from Kunkel et al. 2013).\" width=\"300\" height=\"219\" \/><\/a> Temperatures are rising in the Midwest. Annual average temperatures (red line) across the Midwest show a trend towards increasing temperature. The trend (heavy black line) calculated over the period 1895-2012 is equal to an increase of 1.5\u00b0F. (Source: <em>GLISA, updated from Kunkel et al.,<\/em> 2013)[\/caption]<p><strong><em>Understanding Temperature<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>Key precipitation and temperature changes anticipated for the Great Lakes region include increased number and intensity of heat waves and increased humidity. Variations in timing of temperature changes are also expected, including more late spring freezes and decreased ice cover. The Midwest, which includes much of the Great Lakes, has experienced an increasing pace of warming since 1900.<\/p><p>Generally, a changing climate will exacerbate a range of risks to the Great Lakes, including changes in the range and distribution of certain fish species, increased populations of invasive species, more harmful algal blooms and declining beach health (National Climate Assessment, 2014).<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong><em>Interactive Tools<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p>You can use the following tools to learn more about temperature and precipitation, informing your assessment of your facility\u2019s risks and impacts.<\/p><ul><li><a title=\"ClimateWizard - The Nature Conservancy\" href=\"http:\/\/www.climatewizard.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Climate Wizard<\/a> (TNC), an interactive tool, allows users to explore future climate scenarios\u2014such as a change in temperature and precipitation under different future carbon emissions\u2014for specific regions. This information can be used to inform a community\u2019s planning goals, resource management and investment decisions.<\/li><\/ul><p><strong><em>Resources<\/em><\/strong><\/p><ul><li><strong>Summary Reports: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.drought.gov\/drought\/dews\/coastal-carolinas\/reports-assessments-and-outlooks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Binational Climate Impacts and Outlook Reports<\/a> (National Integrated Drought Information System)<br \/>A two-page downloadable climate report released quarterly for regions in the U.S., including one for the Great Lakes. Includes report on surface Great Lakes water temperature and levels, precipitation and temperatures plus related impacts such as water quality, navigation and recreation, public health and infrastructure and transportation. Forecasts for water levels, temperature and precipitation and harmful algal blooms are also included.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Location-specific Summary Reports: <\/strong><a title=\"Great Lakes Station Climatologies - Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center\" href=\"http:\/\/glisa.umich.edu\/resources\/great-lakes-climate-stations\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Great Lakes Station Climatologies<\/a> (GLISA)<br \/>Summaries of climate information, as collected at local weather stations, for select locations in the Great Lakes region include an overview of the climate along with data and graphs. You could look her for more localized information on temperature and precipitation.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>Map:<\/strong> <a title=\"Projected Mid-Century Temperature Changes in the Midwest: Interactive Map\" href=\"http:\/\/nca2014.globalchange.gov\/report\/regions\/midwest#graphic-17079\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Projected Mid-Century Temperature Changes in the Midwest: Interactive Map<\/a> (<a title=\"U.S. Global Change Research Program - Midwest Report\" href=\"http:\/\/nca2014.globalchange.gov\/system\/files_force\/downloads\/high\/NCA3_Full_Report_18_Midwest_HighRes.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">U.S. Global Change Research Program - Midwest Report<\/a>)<a href=\"http:\/\/nca2014.globalchange.gov\/system\/files_force\/downloads\/high\/NCA3_Full_Report_18_Midwest_HighRes.pdf\"><br \/><\/a>Map showing change in average temperature and the difference in number of days above 95\u00b0F, frost-free days and cooling days (defined as days with average temperature above 65\u00b0F, which generally leads to an increase in energy use for air conditioning).<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong>State Sea Grant Webpages:<\/strong><ul><li><a title=\"Michigan Sea Grant: Climate and Weather\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/explore\/climate-weather-and-the-great-lakes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Michigan Sea Grant: Climate and Weather<\/a><\/li><li><a title=\"Ohio Sea Grant - Climate Webinar Series\" href=\"http:\/\/changingclimate.osu.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ohio Sea Grant: Climate Webinar Series<\/a><\/li><li><a title=\"Wisconsin Sea Grant: Climate Change\" href=\"http:\/\/www.seagrant.wisc.edu\/home\/Topics\/ClimateChange.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Wisconsin Sea Grant: Climate Change<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><blockquote><p><strong>Next:<\/strong> <a title=\"Section 2: Infrastructure\" href=\"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/increasing-resilience\/section-2-infrastructure\/\">Section 2: Infrastructure<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>","_et_gb_content_width":"","_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2192","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2192"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2192\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3457,"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2192\/revisions\/3457"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2236"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.michiganseagrant.org\/clean-marina-classroom\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}