An Overview of the Proposed System-wide Adaptive Management Plan

2013 A.D. Latornell Conservation SymposiumThursday November 21, 2013

Dick Hibma, Conservation Ontario

Presentation Outline

• Background on the Great Lakes and Changing Water Levels

• The Proposed System-wide Adaptive Management Plan

Hudson Bay

LakeOntario

Lake St. Clair

St. Clair River

DetroitDetroit River

St. Marys River

Niagara River

Minnesota

WisconsinMichigan

Illinois

Indiana Ohio PENNSYLVANIA

Quebec

Ontario

Diversion Dam

Control Dam

Long Lake

LakeNipigon

Thunder Bay

Diversion Dam

AguasabonRiver

Albany

River

DuluthKeweenawPeninsula Canada

UnitedStates

Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. MarieLake Superior Control Structure

StraitsOf Mackinac

Geo

rgia

nBay

Green Bay

Gre

enBay

Chicago Sanitary& Ship Canal

Illinois Waterway

Bay City

Toledo

Cleveland

Toronto

Buffalo

Oswego

Welland CanalNiagara Falls

Cape Vincent

Ottawa River

OttawaLAKE ST. LOUIS

Great Lakes - St. Lawrence River System

Ogoki Project

Long Lake ProjectControl Dam

Nipigon River

Kenogami River

Ogoki River

Albany

Riv

er

Bas in

Lake Superior

L ak e

Mi c

ha

ign

Chicago

Great

Drain

age

LakeH

uro

n

LakeErie

Missi

Ri

ssippi

aive

nr B s

Montreal

St. Lawrence River

Lakes

Bas i

n

Milwaukee

Pennsylvania

New York

Rochester

Kingston

St. Lawrence RiverControl structure

Cornwall

Massena

Climate regions in GL?

Chart Datum

Lakes Michigan/Huron Water Levels (IGLD 1985)

Long TermAverage

Water Levels are Always ChangingWater Levels are Always Changing

1974 1986

20111964

Water Level Decision Making is Complex

6

Shoreline development in the hazard zone

Situation of marinas and boat launches

Design of shore protection

Infrastructure decisions

Encroachment

Big boats (more dredging)

Ecosystem implications

Baird

Additional Challenges

Big storms

Glacial isostatic adjustment

Changing Ice conditions

Natural changes in conveyance

Erosion and deposition

Changes in demographics

Decisions by neighbors

7

Bing Maps

Glacial Isostatic Adjustment

8

No one organization or jurisdiction is fully responsible for managing impacts of water levels

Much fragmentation, duplication and overlap

Limited effort to coordinate approaches and share successful approaches

Little focus on long-term implications of climate extremes and planning for uncertain future

10

Response to Water Level Impacts

Task Team MembershipCanada U.S.

Wendy Leger, Canadian Co-ChairEnvironment Canada

Deborah Lee, U.S. Co-ChairUS Army Corps of Engineers

Jonathan Staples, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Don Zelazny, New York Dept. of Environmental Conservation

Patricia Clavet, Quebec Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment, Wildlife and Parks

Jen Read, University of Michigan Water Center and Great Lakes Observing System

Dick Hibma, Conservation Ontario Bill Werick, Great Lakes Observing System

Canadian Secretary U.S. Secretary

Sara Eddy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Drew Gronewold, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

11All members of the Task Team serve in their professional capacity and not as representatives of their agencies or employers.

Institutional

Arrangements

Adaptive Management

Collaboration

PlanAct

Monitor

EvaluateLearn

Adjust

Continuous, iterative, systematic process

Plan, Act, Monitor conditions, Evaluate, Learn (Review) and Adjust the plan if needed

Working together to solve problems

Source: International Joint Commission

13

New approach to addressing water level issues

Based on working with partners to gather and share critical information, develop adaptive strategies, collectively measure success at managing the impacts of extreme water levels and adapt accordingly

Goal is to support decision making aimed at reducing the impacts associated with extreme water levels

Questions?