Researchers have found that rising water temperatures are kicking up more powerful winds on Lake Superior, with a range of implications affecting currents, biological cycles, pollution and ecosystems on the world’s largest lake and its smaller Great Lakes siblings.

A wide temperature differential between water and air makes for a more stable atmosphere with calmer winds over the relatively cold water. However, as warming water closes the gap, as in the case of the Great Lakes, the atmosphere gets more turbulent.

“You get more powerful winds,” according to Professor Desai from the University of Wisconsin. “We’ve seen a 5 percent increase per decade in average wind speed on Lake Superior since 1985.”

One of the factors influencing higher water temperatures has been less winter ice cover. Reflective ice lessens the amount of solar radiation on the lake. Once the final ice-melt has occurred, however, the large lakes turn into dark surfaces that absorb solar radiation to the maximum of any natural surface. This absorbed solar radiation is the primary agent that warms the lake. The relative timing of final ice-melt to the summer solstice — the season when the sun provides most radiation — is therefore a key determinant of the degree of warming of lake waters (Rouse, 2009).

A result of longer periods of higher surface water temperatures is a weakening of the water–air temperature gradient. This has the effect of destabilizing the atmosphere above the lake, enabling faster wind speeds across the lake surface (Cruce, T., & Yurkovich, E., 2011).

There are some interesting implications for higher wind speeds off the lake, including movement of airborne pollutants to the shore, increased lake-effect streamers in winter, potentially stronger alongshore currents, and wind movement of sand on beaches and dunes.

Increased sand movement and dune erosion could present problems to communities who do not have well managed dune systems in place. This is particularly important for many of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay’s dune systems because they are made up of finite sand deposits where no new source of sand is present should the existing sands get eroded away. Erosion of beaches and dunes can be caused, or made worse, by high impact recreational activities, development pressure and poorly designed beach access.

The Coastal Centre has been working with several municipalities and community groups to establish measures that will help prevent beach and dune erosion, and this will become increasingly relevant under a higher wind regime. As researchers learn more about the changes affecting our region, coastal communities will need to consider the implications and adapt where necessary.

When you get your calendar there will be instructions on how to enter to win next summer’s outdoor getaway contest.  I can’t speak of all of the details but I can tell you that part of it includes a stay at Rock Island Lodge as well as either; sea kayak instruction or SUP lesson.

That’s a win-win-win situation!

Pro photographer Rob Stimpson was here to share his knowledge and inspire creativity not to mention just encourage students to view things in a different light (pun more-or-less intended).  Thanks to Ron Goodlin for sharing his photos with us.  This two-time workshop participant claims he’ll be back next year too.

If you are interested in joining in for the workshop in 2012 it will take place the first weekend in November.  More details found here…

Apparently the winds were recorded at 101.8km/hr- so at that speed it would take just over 2 hours to fly to the Soo from here.

Here are 2 pictures from Joel Cooper.  The first one is the rebuilding of the tower on the harbour docks, the second is of the helicopter at the airport.

The blueberry picking season is coming to a close but there is still some good picking to be had.  Just don’t confuse blueberries for the Blue Bead Lily.  They are mildly toxic and wouldn’t taste very good in pancakes either.

Blueberries

Blue bead lily

This particular feature is unique to fiberglass and kevlar models and is all the rage on Lake Superior’s cobble shore.

So if you are an intermediate paddler looking for some surf and crazy conditions, you should consider joining in on the fun.  Here are the fast facts:

The weather cooperated and they had the service with their feet in the water, the sun was shining and there was just enough breeze to keep things from getting too hot.  Here are some photo from the day:

Heading out on Saturday Morning – what a great looking group of paddlers!!

 One of the pictographs near Red Rock!

Dave Borins (pictured above) was this year’s host on the Musical Journey – he was a fantastic addition to the trip, and played some amazing sets at Red Rock over the weekend. Thanks for coming, Dave! Check his website at http://daveborins.com – he just put out a new CD so give it a listen!!