How clean are Great Lakes? How clean is the Great Lakes?

The Great Lakes, a valuable natural resource, provide drinking water to millions of people. However, their cleanliness is a concern due to various factors such as pollution, invasive species, and climate change.

Swimming in the Great Lakes can pose risks due to factors like rapid waves and untreated sewage discharge. In one year, 20 cities in the United States and Canada allowed 92 billion gallons of untreated sewage and stormwater to enter the lakes.

The Great Lakes face threats from invasive species, climate change, pollution, and habitat destruction. These factors affect water quality, temperature, and the ecosystem. The health of the Great Lakes varies across different areas. Lake Michigan is rated “fair and unchanging,” Lake Huron is considered “fair and unchanging to improving,” while Lake Erie’s ecosystem is labeled as “poor.” Lake Superior’s forested watershed and coastal wetlands contribute to maintaining water quality and a healthy ecosystem.

The clearness of the Great Lakes is attributed to the presence of plankton, which absorbs light. Removing plankton can significantly increase water clarity. However, it is important to note that the clarity of the lakes can vary.

Lake Superior is considered the largest, cleanest, and wildest of all the Great Lakes. It has a large surface area and a relatively lower population density in its watershed.

Sadly, each of the U.S.’ five Great Lakes are extremely polluted. In addition to effectively being a dumping ground for millions of pounds of litter annually, each of them were subjected to decades of highly pollutive industrial practices along the shores — resulting in significant amounts of toxic waste.

Researchers have found stunningly high amounts of tiny plastic pieces in all five Great Lakes, which provide drinking water for 40 million people. They’ve found microplastics in Great Lakes fish, drinking water, bottled water, and beer.

Despite their size, the Great Lakes are vulnerable to pollution. The limited water exchange with the outside environment allows pollutants to accumulate, impacting the food web and overall ecosystem.

The U.S. government has committed to investing $1 billion to clean up 22 Great Lakes sites nationwide. EPA Administrator Michael Regan stated that this project is vital to the well-being of both humanity and the environment.

In conclusion, the Great Lakes are a crucial resource, but their cleanliness is a significant concern. Efforts are being made to address these issues, but the challenges are substantial. The future health of the Great Lakes will depend on our ability to mitigate pollution, manage invasive species, and adapt to climate change.