Lake Huron Cut Off from Other Great Lakes in the Past

C.F.M. Lewis et al. - Evolution of lakes in the Huron basin: deglaciation to present

C.F.M. Lewis and co-authors have completed a paper on the evolution of the Huron basin from deglaciation to the present. Glaciation played the dominant role in the shaping of the basin. Changes in ice margin positions and meltwater routing from the retreating Laurentide Ice Sheet, and differential isostatic rebound have caused lake levels and outflow to shift several times over the last 18,000 years. Some notable changes from the modern day are the fact that Lake Huron used to drain southward through the Erie and Michigan basins into the Mississippi River system. It is from here, that many scientists believe most of the aquatic organisms migrated to the Great Lakes. At one point, about 8000 ¹⁴C (8890 calendar) before present, when glacial runoff bypassed the Great Lakes, water levels declined and Lake Huron became hydrologically closed in the dry climate of the time, showing that climate change has had a significant impact on the basin. Historic lake events such as this yield hydrology-climate sensitivity information that will help with projections of future lake responses in a changing climate, needed to plan for effective adaptation by society to reduced lake levels.

For more information contact Mike Lewis or ERCC@nrcan.gc.ca

References
Evolution of Huron basin lakes: deglaciation to present; Lewis, C F M; Karrow, P F; Blasco, S M; McCarthy, F M G; King, J W; Moore, T C; Rea, D K; in, Proceedings from the Second International Symposium on the Lake Huron Ecosystem: State of Lake Huron - Ecosystem Change, Habitat, Contaminants, and Management; . Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management.(ESS Cont.# 20060698 In Press).

Useful Link
Paleoenvironmental Perspectives on Climate Change