I was waiting for the part where they explain that the water is so clear because of invasive non-native mussels that have pretty much taken over. In other words the lake isn't clear because it's clean, it's clear because it's dead.
So when new EPA regulations kick in that allow ships to now dump their bilge and ballast liquids anywhere they like, expect to get more of this.
You're talking about the zebra mussel. I'm good friends with a bunch of very dedicated folks who are employed to protect the lakes (the Great Lakes that is). The zebra mussel was a terrible invasive species but isn't nearly as terrible as some of the other new options-for example Asian carp. We've managed to claw back some funding for the Great Lakes in the most recent round of budget cuts but it's not nearly enough. Something that needs to be addressed is Chicago and it's complete refusal to sever its waterways from the Great Lakes-through Chicago we have a straight line to the Mississippi and from there to the gulf and god knows what coming in. Just one more example of Chicago ruining things in Michigan.
I'm guessing the zebra mussels died as their food source became less common. I was a bio major, and there's a name for the population collapse that happens when a species gets access to a new food source, grows quickly, and then collapses, but I forgot what it is.
I'll have to look at my population dynamics book later to see if I can remember.
By collapse, you mean all dead & extinct in the lake? As in, there is 0% chance of them returning from the dead like the eggs that are laid which is start growing once there is new food source?
If the zebra mussel are all dead, would it be possible to transplant a family of fish from some other lake, so they can start a life in Lake Michigan and bring it back to life?
For the last 3 summers, my family and I have gone salmon fishing with a charter company [1] in Lake Michigan near Algoma, WI. Each year we've caught ~15-20 fish. From my limited experience I have to agree with you.
Nope. We know they're invasive and that they upset the balance the Lakes are used to. We have to assume that's not great but we're all just trying to do what we can to not upset the Apple cart.
I'm pretty close to Lake Erie, the sewer drain of the other Great Lakes. Invasive species are pretty bad here too. But the agricultural runoff and season algae blooms have been the most recent headache in the western portion of the lake.
>Just one more example of Chicago ruining things in Michigan.
Generally speaking, single large population centers are really good at screwing the entire area around them. California has SoCal. NY has NYC, MA has Boston, VA has DC and so on.
Other than the Tijuana runoff and construction (tough to have cities without construction), what have SoCal cities done that negatively impact the environment? Some people seem genuinely grumpy that there are so many dolphins, seals, coyotes, and mountain lions. If the apex predator are intact, I am inclined to think the underlying ecosystem is fairly stable. You apparently disagree. Why?
I would put that under "construction". Admittedly, construction of water pipes and pumping stations, but loss of habitat to basic requirements of human existence tend to support, you know, human life.
Michigander here: not really a comment on this article per say, but if you've never visited the lakes, you should come by (during summer) and check them out.
Some good spots on the Lake Michigan side (which I'm most familiar with):
One more destination that might be interesting to HN readers is the Dark Sky Park at the Headlands: http://www.midarkskypark.org/.
If you're into telescopes or sky photography, there are few better places this side of the Rockies to visit. And in general, I find that while the places listed above (like Mackinac, Traverse, and Petoskey) where you can purchase large quantities of fudge do have delicious fudge, they're becoming more touristy. Find a spot that doesn't sell fudge, like the Headlands, if you want a more authentic/native/quiet experience.
Also, while most Californians would probably enjoy Michigan more during the summer, the lakes and snow are a sight to behold during winter! Snowmobiling through hundreds of miles of snow-covered seasonal roads is a worthy experience too, if you don't mind the cold.
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That's neat, but the pictured shipwreck is only in 6 feet of water. Lake Superior often has visibility of 100 feet or deeper! I remember canoeing on the lake with my dad and seeing the bottom of the lake crystal-clear, 70 feet down. Surreal.
So when new EPA regulations kick in that allow ships to now dump their bilge and ballast liquids anywhere they like, expect to get more of this.
(Best link I can find for a quick search: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2672/what-is-the-ze...)