Report Rates Lake Superior Ecosystem as “Good”

Lake Superior’s ecosystem gets a “good” grade in a new report compiled by the International Joint Commission, and released by Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

The analysis of all five Great Lakes is updated every three years. 

Criteria include water and beach quality, fish health, environmental contamination, the status of wetlands and groundwater in adjacent areas, the presence of invasive species, and stresses caused by use of adjacent land.

While Lake Superior’s ecosystem is considered “good and unchanging,” it is not without challenges. The report highlights recent steps approved to deal with the stamp sands that threaten Buffalo Reef near Gay.

Lake Huron also earned a “good and unchanging” rating in the report. Lake Michigan was rated as “fair and unchanging,” Lake Ontario as “fair and unchanging to improving,” and Lake Erie as “poor and unchanging,” noting the lake’s persistent algal blooms, which are partly caused by farm runoff.

Long term challenges for all the lakes include the presence of polyfluoroalkyl substances, which have contaminated water supplies. Research is increasing to find ways to deal with PFAs, some of which appear never to break down naturally in the environment.

Efforts are also ramping up to find ways to reduce or eliminate microplastics. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that 10,000 metric tons of plastics enter the Great Lakes each year. 

You can read the full report here.