If anything puts the lie to the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) “do nothing” option regarding the dropping water level in Lake Huron (and Lake Michigan that shares the same level) it’s the breaking news on Monday of this week that the Chi-Cheemaun is unlikely to be able to begin her sailing schedule, as usual, on the first Friday of May. That day, May 3 this year, is much anticipated on Manitoulin an ...

MANITOULIN—While it is expected that the International Joint Commission (IJC) for Canada and the United States will conclude its deliberations and make recommendations early in 2013 on water managements, flows and regulations, preliminary results from the US Army Corps of Engineers showed Lakes Michigan and Huron closed the year with the lowest December levels on record. “We have received a letter from the ...

LAKE HURON—Last winter’s lack of precipitation and this year’s dry, hot summer are combining to have a major effect on Lake Huron’s water levels. On December 1, Lake Huron was one centimeter lower than the 1964 record low, and by Thursday, December 13, Lake Huron was 71 centimetres below the long-term average, 41 centimetres lower than the same time last year and all measurements are below chart datum. “It’ ...

MIDLAND—The International Joint Commission (IJC) may be intending to allow water levels in Lake Huron and Georgian Bay to drop by more than 1.25 metres (four feet) below current levels. Those levels are already at historically low levels, threatening shoreline wetlands, navigation and access of Island properties if the recommendations of a report by the Upper Great Lakes Study Board are adopted, according t ...

LITTLE CURRENT—The Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council (MASC) has secured yet another Manitoulin meeting for the general public, this time in regards to the proposed provincial Great Lakes Protection Act. Next Thursday, August 23 at the Northeast Town Recreation Centre in Little Current, representatives from the Ministry of Environment will be hosting a ‘stakeholder engagement session.’ Besides an earlier s ...

Tom Sasvari The Recorder GEORGIAN BAY—An official with the Georgian Bay Forever (GBF) group agrees with a representative of the Manitoulin Area Stewardship Council (MASC) that with the pressure put on by area residents in opposition to a ‘do nothing’ approach to decreasing water levels in Lakes Huron and Michigan recommended by the International Upper Great Lakes Study Board (IUGLSB) will change and that so ...

by Alicia McCutcheon LAKE HURON—Not surprisingly, Lake Huron’s water levels are on the decline after a spring and summer with little to no precipitation. Chuck Southam, Environment Canada water resources engineer, explained that levels began to drop on June 22 following its seasonal rise beginning in mid-February. “There is an 11 centimeter difference between February and June, where usually the average is ...

Not everyone remained for all of the 30-plus presentations to the entire International Joint Commission (IJC) board on the Lake Huron water level issue, but for nearly all of the proceedings Sunday at the large hall at the Northeast Town Recreation Centre in Little Current, more than 300 people remained in their seats on a sunny weekend afternoon. It was also a clear indication that the Manitoulin Stewardsh ...

Tom Sasvari The Recorder MANITOULIN—This Sunday, July 15 (not Saturday, as was printed in The Expositor page 1 headline this week) at the Little Current Recreation Centre, members of the public will be given the opportunity to express their concerns about the continued water loss from Lake Huron to members of the International Joint Commission (IJC). “We want to get the word out that we need as many members ...

by Alicia McCutcheon LITTLE CURRENT—This Sunday, July 15 marks the International Joint Commission’s (IJC) visit to Manitoulin and it is the last chance for Islanders to share with the six Canadian and American commissioners their thoughts regarding low water levels in Lake Huron. “We certainly need people to come out and voice their concerns,” said Therese Trainor of Kagawong, secretary of the Manitoulin Ar ...