Did you ever wonder if we in Michigan have an inexhaustible supply of water?

By David McClelland

One would think that Michigan is in about the best location to live in the United States to have a more than adequate supply of fresh water. Most of us probably never give this subject much thought, let alone have concern about it.

The May, 2011 issue of the Michigan Bar Journal has an interesting article on this subject entitled, Water Withdrawals in Michigan, which I read with interest. I would like to share some of what I learned here.

First, the author, Sara R. Gosman, stated many interesting facts and observations. First, she stated what we all know, that Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes. She stated that the Great Lakes contain 84 percent of the fresh water in North America and 21 percent of the fresh water in the world, more than any other source on earth except for the polar ice caps. She also points out that Michigan is fortunate to also have about 11,000 inland lakes and streams as well as plentiful groundwater. We also have 3, 177 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. It is no wonder that Michigan leads the nation with approximately 1 million registered pleasure boats.

She then points to some areas of concern. Less that 1 percent of the water from the Great Lakes is renewable through precipitation, surface water runoff and groundwater recharge. The rest, if consumed or diverted, is lost. Even if water uses remain at that 1 percent, local shortages may affect users and degrade a natural environment that relies on plentiful fresh water.

Ms. Gosman points out that, in the future, the available fresh water in the region may decrease as a result of climate change. Scientific models predict lower levels in the Great Lakes – as much as 4.5 feet in Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.

Now that she has our attention, she informs us that, in 2005, the governors of the Great Lake States and the premiers of the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec unveiled a plan for management of our water resources. The Plan manages our water supply in three ways. First, they limit new or increased uses of water. Second, each jurisdiction is to oversee water conservation programs for all users. Third, all jurisdictions shall work together to improve water management by sharing information on water uses and collaborating with regional partners on a science strategy to strengthen a basis for action.  

Michigan enacted legislation to manage Michigan's water supply and require all large water users to seek approvals at the state level. Ms. Grosman cautions that, although the Plan appears to be sound, it faces sever underfunding. She said that the program is at risk unless adequate funding is restored. This gives us much to think about.