Commission wants to restore 20 inches of water level to Lake Michigan

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DETROIT - Lake Michigan might get some of its water back. The Great Lakes’ International Joint Commission has ordered a study panel to look for ways to restore up to 20-inches of water levels lost by dredging projects near Detroit.

The dredging at the Saint Clair River allowed foreign freighters to enter the Upper Great Lakes in the 1960’s. But scientists on the study panel found that Lakes Michigan and Huron permanently lost up to five inches due to one major dredging project alone. And that was after earlier dredging caused about 16-inches of water to be lost.

The study panel said the five-inch loss was not enough to consider restoring it. But people objected loudly to that finding at a series of recent public hearings. And yesterday, the Joint Commission said the public pressure encouraged the panel to order that the water be put back. The study panel will consider four options that would raise Lakes Michigan and Huron between four-and-20 inches. People on the shores have complained in recent years about boats running around due to the drop in water – and more muck has been exposed.

Tags: outdoors